How to take care of your monstera deliciosa

The monstera is often referred to as the Swiss Cheese plant due to its big, bold, textured leaves that remind one of Swiss cheese. Low-maintenance and easy-going, the monstera is one of the most favoured indoor plants by plant lovers and interior designers alike. Also referred to as the ‘split-leaf philodendron’ due to its palpable similarities with the philodendron, this evergreen plant is native to the rainforests of Central America. One of its varieties, the Monkey Mask, is bushier and more compact than the monstera deliciosa.

In its native environment, the monstera is on the ground, partially shaded by large trees, thus it prefers bright, indirect sunlight and moist soil. Being a tropical plant, it can be quite tricky to take care of if you live in colder climate regions. Nevertheless, since a monstera is a low-maintenance plant, it is quite flexible when it comes to light requirements — which is why you can find it in many homes in Sydney.

This useful guide will highlight important aspects to consider when caring for your monstera plant. The recommendations include soil to be used, humidity, water requirements, light requirements, ideal temperature, repotting, and fertilising.

 

Light

The best thing about a monstera is that it can grow in any area of your home. Not surprisingly, this is one of the most popular indoor plants in Australia. Although it thrives most in bright, indirect sunlight, a monstera does tolerate low light. However, avoid harsh, direct sunlight as it could cause burn marks on its big, bold leaves. Further, placing the monstera in a too-dark area will make its leaves turn yellow.

 

Water

Water your monstera until liquid flows through the draining hole at the bottom of the pot and discard the water that has pooled in the saucer. As tropical plants, monsteras prefer moist soil. It needs to be watered when the top 50-70% or top 5-7cm of the soil is dry. You can check this by using a moisture meter. Do not let the soil dry out too much to prevent the beautiful leaves from drooping. As soon as the leaves show any indication of drooping or having brown and crispy edges, water the monstera immediately. However, make sure that you do not water the monstera too often or too much at a time, otherwise, its leaves will turn yellow. When this happens, stop any watering, drain the excess water, and let the soil dry out before you start watering again.

 

Soil

Monsteras prefer moist soil but not wet soil. It is thus recommended to use well-draining soil and a pot with a draining hole to allow excess water to be drained out.

 

Temperature and humidity

The monstera loves humidity and warmer temperatures as it is similar to its native environment. The ideal temperature for a monstera is between 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit. To best care for a monstera, avoid placing it in areas with temperatures of 55 degrees and under, those with cold drafts, or with direct flow from heaters. It is recommended that you mist your monstera every day in the morning or place a humidifier in your space. 

 

Fertilisers and repotting

Monsteras grow fast, so they need to be repotted every two years to give the plant plenty of space for growth. The plant grows horizontally, so mass poles are recommended to train monsteras to grow vertically rather than horizontally. Although monsteras grow fast, they do not require a lot of fertiliser. It is recommended that you fertilise your monstera once a month during warmer seasons. During fall and winter, it is not necessary to fertilise your monstera at all to give it time to rest.

 

Toxicity

Quite a few tropical plants are toxic. The monstera, unfortunately, is one of them. The sap of its leaves and stem is mildly toxic to humans and even pets. When ingested, it could cause indigestion and vomiting, so keep it away from pets and small children.

The basics of how to care for your monstera is not at all that difficult, making it an ideal plant for beginners. Follow this easy guide to take care of your monstera in Australia, so you can enjoy your plant for years to come. 

 

 

Spring Colours is a plant nursery located in Sydney’s Dural neighbourhood. With over 30 years of experience in garden landscaping and delivering high-quality plants to plant lovers at great prices, we are committed to making the world a greener place and adding new life to your home and garden. 

Contact us to find out about our wholesale service delivery or visit our store in Dural to browse our collection of plants!