Monsteras at a glance
Tall, dark and handsome, Monsteras are easy to care for and bring a ‘nature’ feeling to any room they’re in. These fast growing plants love bright, indirect light and are famously characterized by the natural leaf holes that emerge as it matures, which is also why it’s lovingly called a ‘swiss cheese plant’ sometimes.
They are bold, vibrant and over the span of a few years, can grow to be 6 – 8 ft tall, so give yours plenty of room to grow. Hobbists also love propagating this plant in water or soil to later gift to friends and family or keep for themselves. Last but certainly not least, as a member of the philodendron species, Monsteras make fantastic air purifiers.
Also known as: Monstera, Swiss Cheese Plant, Split-Leaf Philodendron
Family: Araceae
Origin: Mexico and Guatemala
Care Instructions
Monsteras are known for being easy to care for and very tolerant of the occasional neglect.
Light: Moderate to bright indirect light.
Temperature: Average to warm (65-85 °F).
Fertilizer: From spring through summer you’ll want to feed every 2 weeks or so with a balanced houseplant fertilizer. In winter, feed monthly.
Water: Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings and water less in the winter than summer (depending on where you live).
Repotting: You can repot every other spring or so depending on the size of the plant and the pot. Generally speaking, you’ll want to keep the plant in a large pot that provides enough room for the aerial roots that will emerge near the base of the plant. A more mature plant will need the support of a stout wooden post.
Longevity: Monsteras can live many years given the proper care.
Troubleshooting Tips
Here are a few things to watch out for with your Monstera and potential causes.
Leaves are turning brown at the tips.
Cause: Soil is too dry.
Remedy: Water the plant more frequently and make sure you’re using filtered or bottled water.
New leaves are small and don’t have any perforations.
Cause: Either too little light or not enough fertilizer.
Remedy: It’s normal for younger Monsteras to develop leaves without holes or slits but if you notice a more mature plant developing without holes or slits, its likely due to a lack of light or not enough fertilizer. Try moving the plant where it will receive more indirect light or feeding it fertilizer more often.
Old leaves turn yellow and shrivel to a brownish color.
Cause: This is natural in colder temperature and during the winter when the light levels are low. In warmer weather, this is usually a sign of uneven watering, the soil is likely either too wet or too dry.
Remedy: Clip off the failing leaves with sharp scissors. Water more frequently or more evenly.
White cottony things on the stems and under the leaves.
Cause: Mealybugs.
Remedy: Quarantine the plant and remove the mealybugs with tweezers or cotton swabs dipped in alcohol. Repeat this every couple of days until the mealybugs are gone.
