The Monstera deliciosa, with its giant, holey leaves, is the rockstar of the houseplant world. You’ve seen it everywhere, from magazine covers to your favorite Instagram feeds. This guide is here to show you just how to grow a monstera plant of your own and turn your home into a lush, tropical paradise.
Don’t let its impressive size intimidate you. The Monstera, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is surprisingly easy to care for once you understand what it likes.
We’ll walk you through everything, from picking the right spot to watering, repotting, and even making new plants for free. Get ready to watch your plant thrive and unfurl those amazing split leaves!
Why a Monstera is the Perfect Houseplant
There’s a good reason why these plants are so popular. They offer the perfect combination of beauty and resilience that makes them a joy to own.
- They Are Stunning: The main attraction is the leaves. As the plant matures, its large, heart-shaped leaves develop natural splits and holes, a feature called “fenestration.” Each new leaf is an exciting surprise!
- Easy to Care For: For such an exotic-looking plant, the Monstera is wonderfully forgiving. It communicates its needs clearly and can bounce back from a little neglect, making it great for both beginners and experienced plant parents.
- They Grow Fast: Monsteras are vigorous growers, especially during the spring and summer. This fast growth is incredibly rewarding to watch and makes you feel like a successful plant owner.
- They Clean the Air: Like many houseplants, Monsteras are known to be excellent air purifiers, helping to filter common airborne toxins from your home.
- They Are Easy to Propagate: It’s incredibly simple to take a cutting from a healthy Monstera and grow a whole new plant to share with friends or expand your own urban jungle.
Choosing Your Monstera
While Monstera deliciosa is the most common, there are a few other popular members of the family you might encounter.
- Monstera Deliciosa: This is the icon. It has big, leathery leaves that develop those classic splits and holes as it gets older. It has a climbing growth habit and loves to attach itself to a support.
- Monstera Borsigiana: This is a slightly smaller and faster-growing variety of deliciosa. It’s very common and often sold simply as Monstera deliciosa. The main difference is that the stem where the leaf meets it is smooth, not “ruffled” like a true deliciosa.
- Monstera Adansonii: Often called the “Swiss Cheese Vine,” this plant has smaller, thinner leaves that are absolutely covered in holes. It has a vining, trailing habit, making it perfect for hanging baskets.
- Variegated Monstera (Albo or Thai Constellation): These are the highly sought-after collector’s items. They have beautiful white or cream-colored splotches on their leaves. They are much more expensive and require a bit more care because the white parts of the leaves cannot photosynthesize.
The Most Important Factor: The Right Light
Giving your Monstera the right amount of light is the secret to helping it grow big leaves with lots of splits.
- The Sweet Spot: Monsteras thrive in bright, indirect light.
- What Does That Mean? Think of a spot near a window that gets lots of light, but where the sun’s rays don’t fall directly on the plant for more than an hour or two. An east-facing window is perfect. A spot a few feet back from a south- or west-facing window also works great.
- Too Little Light: A Monstera can survive in lower light, but it won’t thrive. The growth will be slow and “leggy,” and the leaves will be small and will not develop their famous splits.
- Too Much Light: Direct, scorching sunlight will burn the leaves, leaving yellow or brown patches. A little gentle morning sun is okay, but avoid harsh afternoon sun.
How to Water Your Monstera Correctly
Overwatering is the number one killer of most houseplants, including the Monstera. They would much rather be a little too dry than a little too wet.
- When to Water: Water your Monstera when the top 2-3 inches of soil are completely dry. The best way to check is to simply stick your finger down into the soil. If it feels dry at your fingertip, it’s time to water. If you feel any moisture, wait a few more days and check again.
- How to Water: When it’s time, water thoroughly. Pour water evenly over the soil until it begins to run out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
- Dump the Excess: After watering, let the pot drain for about 15 minutes, then be sure to dump out any water that has collected in the saucer underneath. Never let your Monstera sit in a puddle of water. This will lead to root rot.
- Water Less in Winter: During the fall and winter, the plant’s growth slows down, and it will need water less frequently. Always check the soil first.
Soil and Potting: Giving Your Plant a Good Home
Monsteras need the right foundation to build a strong root system.
The Right Potting Mix
Monsteras need a potting mix that is chunky, well-aerated, and fast-draining. A dense, heavy soil will hold too much water and suffocate the roots.
- The Perfect DIY Mix: The best soil is one you mix yourself. A fantastic, simple recipe is:
- 1 part high-quality all-purpose potting soil
- 1 part orchid bark
- 1 part perlite
- This mix provides nutrients, holds a little moisture, and allows for excellent airflow and drainage. You can also buy a pre-made “aroid mix” online.
[Amazon Product: Premium Aroid and Monstera Potting Mix]
Choosing a Pot
- Drainage is Everything: The pot must have drainage holes. This is not negotiable.
- Size Matters: When you first get your plant, leave it in its nursery pot for a few weeks to acclimate. When it’s time to repot, choose a new pot that is only 2-3 inches wider in diameter than the current one.
- Putting a plant in a pot that is too big is a common mistake. A giant pot holds a huge amount of soil that stays wet for too long, which is a recipe for root rot.
How to Grow Monstera Plant: To Climb or Not to Climb
In the wild, Monsteras are climbing plants. They grow up the trunks of large trees, using their special “aerial roots” to anchor themselves. Giving your Monstera something to climb will encourage it to grow bigger, healthier leaves more quickly.
- What to Use: A moss pole is the most popular and effective type of support. You can also use a simple wooden plank or a coco coir pole. [Amazon Product: Stackable Moss Pole for Climbing Plants]
- How to Do It: When you are repotting your plant, insert the pole into the back of the pot. As the plant grows, use soft plant ties or clips to gently attach the main stem to the pole.
- Eventually, the aerial roots will sense the pole and attach themselves. Keep the moss pole moist by misting it regularly, which encourages the roots to grow into it.
Repotting Your Monstera
Since Monsteras are fast growers, you will likely need to repot your plant every 1 to 2 years.
- Signs It’s Time to Repot:
- Roots are growing out of the drainage holes.
- The plant is visibly crowded and root-bound in its pot.
- The soil dries out very quickly, and you have to water constantly.
- Best Time to Repot: The best time is in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season.
- The Process: Choose a pot that is 2-3 inches larger than the old one. Carefully slide the plant out of its current pot, gently loosen the root ball, place it in the new pot with fresh, chunky soil, and water it thoroughly.
Making More Plants: How to Propagate a Monstera
One of the most exciting things about owning a Monstera is how easy it is to propagate.
- Find a Node: Look at the main stem of your plant. A “node” is a bumpy ring on the stem where a leaf and an aerial root grow from. You must have at least one node on your cutting for it to grow roots.
- Make the Cut: Using a clean, sharp knife or pruning shears, make a cut on the stem about an inch below a node. Your cutting should have at least one leaf and one node.
- Root in Water: Place the cutting in a glass jar of water, making sure the node is submerged but the leaf is not.
- Be Patient: Place the jar in a spot with bright, indirect light. Change the water every few days. In a few weeks, you will see new white roots begin to sprout from the node!
- Plant in Soil: Once the new roots are about 3-4 inches long, you can plant your new baby Monstera in a small pot with soil.
Common Monstera Problems and Solutions
- Yellowing Leaves: This is most often caused by overwatering. Let the soil dry out more between waterings. It can also be a sign of a nutrient deficiency.
- Brown, Crispy Edges on Leaves: This usually means the air is too dry. Try increasing the humidity by misting your plant, using a pebble tray, or running a humidifier.
- No Splits in the Leaves: This is almost always a sign that the plant is not getting enough light. Move it to a brighter location. Young plants also have solid leaves; fenestrations develop with age and maturity.
- Pests: Monsteras can sometimes get common houseplant pests like spider mites or mealybugs. Inspect your plant regularly. If you see pests, you can wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or spray the plant with an insecticidal soap.
Conclusion
You are now ready to be a successful Monstera parent! As you can see, learning how to grow a monstera plant is not complicated at all.
By providing the right balance of bright, indirect light, and by being careful not to overwater, you give your plant everything it needs to flourish. Enjoy the process, celebrate every new leaf, and get ready for your magnificent Swiss Cheese Plant to become the stunning centerpiece of your home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do you get a Monstera to split?
The key to getting split leaves (fenestrations) is giving the plant enough light and allowing it to mature. Move your Monstera to a spot with plenty of bright, indirect light. Giving it a moss pole to climb can also encourage it to produce larger, more mature leaves with splits.
2. Is a Monstera a good beginner plant?
Yes, Monsteras are excellent for beginners. They are resilient, grow fast, and clearly show you when they are unhappy (e.g., droopy leaves when thirsty, yellow leaves when overwatered), which makes it easy to learn their needs.
3. How often should I water my Monstera?
There is no set schedule. Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil are dry. This might be once a week in the summer or once every 2-3 weeks in the winter. Always check the soil with your finger first.
4. Why are my Monstera’s leaves turning yellow?
The most common cause of yellowing leaves is overwatering. It means the roots are sitting in soggy soil for too long. Make sure you are letting the soil dry out properly between waterings and that your pot has good drainage.
5. Do Monsteras like to be misted?
Yes, Monsteras are tropical plants and they appreciate extra humidity. Misting the leaves every few days is a great way to keep them happy, especially in dry indoor environments.
6. Should I cut off the aerial roots on my Monstera?
No, try not to cut them! These roots are there to help the plant climb and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. The best thing to do is to gently guide them down into the soil of the pot or onto a moss pole.
7. How do I make my Monstera grow bigger?
To encourage large growth, give your Monstera three things: plenty of bright, indirect light; a moss pole or other support to climb; and consistent care with watering and occasional fertilizing during the growing season. Repotting it into a slightly larger pot every 1-2 years will also give it room to expand.
