Monstera deliciosa care is very much a labor of love amongst gardening enthusiasts, due to its stunning appearance, easy maintenance, and tolerability of various conditions.
Monstera deliciosa is a Swiss cheese plant and it’s a species of flowering plants that originate from the tropical forests of southern Mexico.
The Swiss cheese name is inspired by the holes that develop on the leaves and resemble Swiss cheeses.
Close relative, Monstera adansonii, is another Swiss cheese plant.
You can find this monstera under other common names like monster fruit, fruit salad tree, Mexican breadfruit, etc.
Indoors, the plant can grow between 6 and 10 ft whereas its deep green leaves can reach a height of up to 3.3 ft and have a beautiful heart shape.
The more mature the plant is, the more its leaves develop big holes.
Its fruit is the only edible part-the rest of it is poisonous!
It makes the ideal indoor plant for gardening enthusiasts of all levels of experience due to its easy-care nature, in both for office and home.
It appreciates brightness, but doesn’t want direct light.
Flowering however, rarely happens indoors. Still, its deep green foliage with holes is still impressive.
The plant is toxic to both cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA, so if you have pets, make sure you place it somewhere that’s out of their reach!
Large-leafed philodendrons, including this one, were found to be one of the best for lowering air pollution.
Interesting fact:
The deliciosa epithet means delicious and refers to the edible fruit whereas monstera means monstrous, referring to the plant’s size which is quite impressive: it can reach more than 30 ft in nature.
Monstera Deliciosa Care Tips
Light
Monstera deliciosa loves bright, but indirect sunlight. It will also do well with fluorescent light.
Being a climbing plant, it will want to vine out as it grows so it can be a good idea to support it with a trellis or a stake.
Temperature
This plant enjoys a standard indoor temperature that varies between 68 and 86 degrees F. If the temperature goes below 50 degrees F, its growth will stop. Freezing temperatures can kill it.
Water & Humidity
Water the plant when the soil is dry around 2 inches below its surface (you can check this out with your finger or a toothpick). Water it well and allow the surplus water to drain out.
Do this 2 to 3 times to make sure the soil gets sufficient water. In the wintertime, reduce the water and wait until 3 to 4 inches of the top soil is dry to do it.
In terms of humidity, this plant wants it high; still, it can tolerate drier environment well. You can mist it to boost its moisture level- do it twice per week in the morning.
Soil
Choose a peaty and well-draining soil for your monstera deliciosa to grow happy, even though it can tolerate a slightly sandy soil.
Choose a soil that’s packed in nutrients and able to maintain moisture without sogginess.
A standard potting mix with additional peat moss can work awesome. To boost drainage, add some perlite to it if it doesn’t have it.
Feeding
The most common way of fertilizing this plant is with a 20-20-20 fertilizer. Dilute ½ tsp of it in one gallon of water.
Apply it into the soil weekly. Remove any surplus liquid in the tray.
You can also use a slow-release granular fertilizer- choose one with organic nitrogen sources.
Apply ¼ lb every 8 weeks in its first year of growth. In winter, pause the feeding. In the next years, increase it gradually to reach 1 lb.
Do it 2 to 3 times in the growing period.
Repotting
Since it’s a generally a large plant, it needs to be repotted every couple of years in order to encourage its growth system.
When the time comes, choose a pot that’s several inches higher and wider than the current one so that the plant has enough room to grow.
Another option is to keep it in the same pot and repot it less frequently or to prune its leaves to prevent it from growing bigger.
Propagation
You can share your monster deliciosa with friends and family through air layering.
You need to find a leaf with a small aerial root and then cut it slightly below, around 1/3 of the stem’s diameter.
Then wrap this area using a layer of sphagnum moss or damp floral and then in a plastic- make sure it’s light enough to stay secure, but loose enough to be able to open it and check up on the roots.
When you notice root formation, cut the stem and plant it in appropriate fresh soil.
Best Monstera Deliciosa Species to Care for
1. deliciosa borsigiana
This variety is ideal for those who’re low on floor space, yet want this beautiful plant to decorate their home.
It grows fast and smaller in size compared to the other types.
2. deliciosa albovariegata
The unique white variegation on its leaves makes it stand out among. What’s even more interesting is that no two leaves are the same!
Some of the leaves can entirely be white while the others may have speckles.
3. deliciosa variegata
This variety has impressive yellowish-cream pattern on the foliage. However, it takes a long time to grow and it’s less common in homes.
Other Tips
Don’t forget to clean its leaves- use 2 to 3 drops of dish soap in a bowl of water and dip a cloth into it and squeeze out the surplus and then wipe its foliage with it.
Do this once per month to lower dust collection and to control pest problems.
If you want to prevent further growth or want the plant to look more aesthetically pleasing, prune it by cutting off the lower leaves that are dying-cut ¼ inches above the stem’s joint.
Trouble Shooting- Common Issues
Problem: turning yellow
Cause: Usually, it’s a result of over- or under watering.
Solution: If there’s a combination of yellow and brown color on the same leaf, it’s usually overwatering so reduce it.
If the leaves are entirely yellow with some brown spots on other leaves, under watering may be the cause. Increase the watering in this case. Try a soil moisture meter to help remove some of the guess work.
Problem: yellow specks or patches on the foliage
Cause: Spider mites.
Solution: Mist them with neem oil.
Problem: leaf edges turning brown
Cause: low moisture or low humidity.
Solution: Mist it more often, especially if the tips are also looking crisp in addition to brown.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article on monstera deliciosa care.
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