By Brittany Natale, POPSUGAR
It is safe to say that the monstera plant is absolutely breathtaking. Nicknamed the "Swiss cheese plant" for its giant, holey leaves, the monstera is a great household plant that has the ability to grow tens of feet tall. A native plant of Mexico and Panama, it is also very versatile. Whether you prefer your monstera in an industrial planter on a stand or you like to clip its gigantic leaves for a dinner centerpiece, its greenery can easily be incorporated into everyday life.
However, it can sometimes be hard to keep plants alive and healthy. If you are like me and have accidentally killed plants no matter how much you love on them, then keep reading. We spoke to Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms, and learned the best advice to keep monstera plants thriving.
However, it can sometimes be hard to keep plants alive and healthy. If you are like me and have accidentally killed plants no matter how much you love on them, then keep reading. We spoke to Justin Hancock, a horticulturist at Costa Farms, and learned the best advice to keep monstera plants thriving.
POPSUGAR: Do monstera plants enjoy light?
Justin Hancock: Indoors, the more light you can give your monstera, the better. It's a big plant, so it's not native to the deeply shaded rainforest floor like a lot of our favorite houseplants (Chinese evergreen, fittonia, snake plant, etc.). Monstera doesn't necessarily like direct sun inside, but it does want enough brightness that it casts a good shadow.
PS: Do these plants like humidity?
JH: Because monstera does hail from the tropics, it likes plenty of moisture in the air. Keep its leaves lush and green by boosting humidity levels with a small humidifier, growing it in a bright bathroom, or grouping it with other plants. (Houseplants release moisture into the air as they breathe, so creating a cute cluster of plants allows them to help humidify one another.)
PS How much water should I give it?
JH: Too much water actually kills more houseplants per year than any other single cause. Monstera is no exception. As it grows, it's used to forming lots of aerial roots that cling onto tree trunks, so the roots tend to rot if they stay wet and soggy. Let the top inch or two of the potting mix dry between waterings, and if in doubt, it's better to keep it a little too dry than a little too wet.
PS: Should I stick to a strict watering schedule?
JH: A lot of us find watering plants is easiest when we come up with a regular schedule — once a week, for example. And while your monstera should grow fairly consistently, different factors can cause it to push out new leaves faster or take a break and slow down. This affects the amount of water it uses (the faster it grows, the more water it drinks). You'll find your plant will stay healthiest if you check for water regularly and only provide moisture when needed, rather than splashing on more H2O regardless of if the potting mix is wet or dry.
PS: How can I get it to grow those huge, beautiful leaves they are so known for?
JH: Monstera isn't a little plant, and as it grows, it becomes more vine-like. If you want yours to produce huge leaves (and who doesn't?!), help it grow upright with a strong, sturdy structure. Did you know that outdoors, in the tropics, it can climb higher than 50 feet?
PS: Should I trim its leaves or let them be?
JH: Don't be afraid to trim. While Monstera is an evergreen plant, it will naturally shed its bottom leaves from old age. Don't be afraid to cut them off. And, similarly, don't be afraid to cut an older leaf or two to decorate for a dinner party or show off to friends.
PS: My plant's leaves are yellow and dropping off — why may this be happening?
JH: Blasts of hot or cold air, such as being next to an exterior door or heating/cooling vent, can cause the leaves to go yellow and drop prematurely. In nature, plants don't get exposed to streams of air that are noticeably different than the ambient temperature. They shouldn't in your home, either.
PS: How can I make sure my plant gets enough nutrients?
JH: When growing a plant in a pot, that soil provides all the nutrition the plant gets. Nature doesn't supply the constant cycle of fresh nutrients. So feeding your monstera ensures healthy growth. You can feed it as little as once a year (in the Spring) with a slow-release fertilizer or as often as the directions on the fertilizer package recommend. It all depends on how much and how fast you want your monstera to grow.
PS: When should I repot my plant?
JH: No plant truly likes being root-bound, and monstera does best when roots get more room as they fill the pot. Not sure when to repot? Do it as you see roots begin to circle the inside of the pot, and select a pot that's two to four inches wider than the container it was in.
PS: Can I use garden soil to repot my plants?
JH: When growing plants in pots, it's best to use a high-quality potting mix — avoid using outdoor garden soil. Regular soil doesn't drain well in pots and can introduce pests or diseases. Fun fact: potting mixes rarely contain actual soil at all and are usually made from peat moss, shredded coconut, and other substances.
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