Monstera deliciosa Care: How to Grow and Care for Monstera deliciosa

Monstera plant is not the easiest plant to take care of and can be quite tricky, particularly for those who have newly joined the family of plant enthusiasts. The large and strikingly gorgeous split leaves of this plant are certainly the thing that makes it popular, but they are also quite delicate and have certain needs that must be met. If your Monstera plant is not in the right conditions, it may not thrive, and you may see the leaves turning yellow, slow growth, or other problems.

This article aims to provide you with all the information you need to take care of Monstera deliciosa, including light and water requirements, propagation, and maintenance of plant health. In the end, you should be ready to care for your Monstera plant as well as for a great many other wholesale tropical plants you might have.

Monstera deliciosa Care Tips

Monstera deliciosa requires the right amount of light, water, and humidity to grow and thrive as it does in its natural habitat. With these guidelines, you can keep your Monstera healthy and beautiful and prevent it from losing its vibrant green color.

Light and Placement

The location of your Monstera plant is very important to its well-being and its development. In its natural habitat, the Monstera plant grows in the understory layer of the forest where it receives dappled light throughout the day. To provide the same conditions for your Monstera, make sure it is located in a place that receives a lot of light but not direct sunlight. A window that faces east or north is often the best choice.

The leaves can burn due to exposure to direct sunlight and this can lead to the formation of brown patches on the leaves. If your Monstera plant is not exposed to sufficient light, this may lead to a slower growth rate or the development of leaves that do not have the usual perforations. In such cases, try to re-locate the plant to a brighter location or use artificial light.

How Much Sunlight Do Monstera Plants Need?

Monstera plants require light of moderate to bright intensity for 6-8 hours a day to grow well. Although Monstera plants can grow in low light conditions, the growth rate will be reduced and the leaves may not split as well as they would under brighter conditions. If you find that your Monstera is ‘stretched out’ or elongated it could be that it is not receiving enough light and you may need to reposition your plant.

Watering

Watering is one of the most crucial factors that require consideration when caring for Monstera deliciosa. These plants are native to tropical regions and require frequent watering; however, it is crucial not to overwater them as this can cause root rot.

How Often Should I Water Monstera Plants?

Watering your Monstera is not as straightforward as watering other plants and this depends on several factors such as the size of the plant, the type of soil used, and the surrounding environment. In most cases, you should water your Monstera plant when the top inch of soil is dry. This means watering once a week during the growing season which is the spring and summer seasons and decreasing the frequency during the fall and winter seasons. It is recommended to always check the soil before watering to ensure you do not overwater the Monstera plant as this is a common problem leading to the damage of the plant.

Humidity

Monstera plants also require a certain amount of humidity in order to maintain good health of your plant. Monsteras are from the tropical rainforest and therefore they do well in a humid environment.

What Temperature and Humidity Do Monsteras Need?

Monstera deliciosa thrives in warm and humid conditions with temperatures ranging from 65-85°F or 18-29°C. The Monstera plant does well in a humidity range of between 60-80 percent. If your house is very dry particularly when the winter season is around, you can use a humidifier or put a tray of water near the plant. It is also important to maintain the right humidity level as low humidity can make the edges of the leaves of your Monstera plant turn brown and crispy.

Feeding

To promote healthy growth Monstera plants should be fed every now and then during their growing season. But it is equally risky to over-fertilize your plants as it is to under-fertilize them.

Should I Fertilize My Monstera Plant?

Yes, fertilizing your Monstera plant can help it grow well and have healthy and bright green leaves. A balanced liquid fertilizer can be used once a month during the growing season which is from spring to summer. Do not over-fertilize as this will only end up concentrating nutrients in the soil and may damage the root system of the plant. In the non-growing period (autumn and winter), you can decrease or even stop feeding, since the Monstera plant does not grow actively.

How to Get Monstera Leaves to Split

The Monstera deliciosa is a popular variety of the Monstera genus due to its characteristic split leaves or fenestrations. However, achieving these splits calls for proper care.

To promote leaf splitting on your Monstera plant, make sure it receives sufficient light, water, and nutrients. Split leaves are more common with mature plants so one has to wait for some time to get the desired outcome. Pruning can also assist in this case since the plant can channel its energy toward the growth of new branches and leaves. Furthermore, supporting the plant with a moss pole or trellis will help it climb and grow in a way that is natural for this species, which in turn may help promote the formation of split leaves.

Pruning

Pruning is a critical aspect of Monstera care. This is because it provides the plant with the right shape, promotes growth, and at the same time gets rid of withered leaves. This also helps in preventing the plant from becoming too sparse or too large.

When pruning, always use clean and sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut at a point just above a node. This results into growth of new branch from the cut point. Pruning can be done at any time of the year but it is preferred to be done in spring or summer when the Monstera plant is growing quickly.

Staking Monstera Plants

With time, your Monstera plant will grow and may require support to maintain the stem upright. Monstera is a climbing plant by nature and growing it in its natural manner – on a support – can help the plant in your home. Moss poles or trellises are perfect for this since they are used to hold the plant up.

To stake your Monstera plant you have to tie the stems with soft plant ties or twine to the support. Make sure that the ties will not be too tight, for this will harm the stem. In due time, the plant will cling to the support and grow upwards, which is the natural growth of the plant.

Propagating Monstera deliciosa

Propagation is useful when you want to get more Monstera plants or simply share them with someone. There are two main methods for propagating Monstera deliciosa: Using stem cuttings and air layering.

Propagation With Stem Cuttings

The easiest way to propagate Monstera deliciosa is by using stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem with at least one node and an aerial root. Take a clean and sharp knife and make a cut at the stem just below the node. Get a cutting and put in water or in moist soil and ensure that it is in a well-lit place with warm temperature. The roots should start to emerge in a few weeks. After the roots have developed, transfer the cutting into a pot with soil.

Propagation with Air Layering

Another technique that can be used to propagate Monstera plants without having to cut them off the parent plant is air layering. This method involves wrapping a part of the stem with moist sphagnum moss and then covering it with a plastic sheet. With time, roots will develop and grow into the moss. When the roots are well developed, you can cut the stem right below the roots and then transplant the new Monstera plant.

Conclusion

Monstera is a beautiful and interesting plant to care for, especially due to the distinguished leaf patterns with splits. To help your Monstera grow and become a beautiful addition to your plant collection, you need to meet its light, water, humidity, and nutrient requirements. So, if you are an experienced plant lover or just started your way to becoming one, using the information from this article, you will be able to grow a beautiful Monstera plant.

At Foshan Young Plants, we know that quality plays a significant role in plant care. Being a leading biotechnological company offering tissue culture plant production, we offer a vast collection of wholesale tropical plants, including Monstera deliciosa. Our modern facilities and focus on environmental responsibility mean that our plants are healthy, strong, and eager to grow in your home.

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