How to care for a Monstera Deliciosa?
CARE INSTRUCTIONS: MONSTERA DELICIOSA
Introduction
The Monstera deliciosa , often nicknamed the "Swiss cheese plant" for its majestically perforated leaves, is an undeniable icon in the world of houseplants.
Native to the dense, humid tropical forests of Central America.
In nature, the Monstera climbs trees by clinging to their trunks with its robust aerial roots.
The captivating name Monstera Deliciosa derives from its ability to reach impressive dimensions , sometimes referred to as " Monster " for its vigorous growth.
" Deliciosa " refers to the exquisite taste of its fruit , considered divine by those who have had the chance to taste it.
Long wrongly associated with the Philodendron family, Monstera deliciosa is actually distinguished by its own belonging to the Monstera family, sometimes earning it the nickname "false Philodendron" quite rightly.
The Monstera is not only appreciated for its impressive aesthetics , but it is also celebrated for its ability to adapt to various indoor environments, requiring relatively little care compared to its size and visual impact.
It symbolizes growth , resilience , and natural beauty.
Offering a constant source of inspiration and well-being for those who share their space with it.
This iconic plant has spanned decades, remaining ever fashionable! :)
Features
- Common name: Gruyère plant, Monstera
- Scientific name: Monstera deliciosa
- Family: Araceae
- Origin: Tropical rainforests of Central America
- Flower color: Creamy white, although flowering is rare indoors
- Flowering period: Summer, under optimal conditions
- Ideal temperature: 20-30°C
- Humidity: High
- Vegetation type: Perennial
- Foliage type: Evergreen
Did you know that?
The Monstera deliciosa, with its perforated leaves , is not only fascinating for its unique aesthetics.
These perforations also have an important ecological function in its natural habitat.
In addition to allowing the plant to withstand heavy rain and wind by letting water and air through, the holes in the leaves play a crucial role in capturing light.
They allow sunlight to filter through the dense upper foliage to reach the leaves lower on the plant, thus optimizing photosynthesis at all levels.
This ingenious adaptation ensures light even for older leaves, illustrating the remarkable ability of Monstera deliciosa to make the most of its underlying forest environment.
HOW TO CARE FOR A MONSTERA DELICIOSA? | IN BRIEF
Light :
Prefers bright but indirect light. Be especially careful in summer in direct sunlight , as the Monstera's foliage is susceptible to scorching.
Water :
Water when the top few centimeters of soil are dry. Monstera likes moisture, but doesn't like soggy roots. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings.
Temperature :
Maintain a stable temperature between 20°C and 30°C to simulate its natural tropical climate.
Humidity :
High humidity. Regularly mist the leaves or use a humidifier to increase the humidity of the air, especially if the air is dry.
WHAT TYPE OF SOIL DOES MONSTERA DELICIOSA NEED?
Choosing the right substrate for a Monstera Deliciosa is crucial for its development and health .
This tropical plant prefers rich, well-drained , and aerated soil that can retain moisture without becoming waterlogged.
A suitable potting mix not only promotes vigorous growth but also ensures good root aeration, preventing the risk of root rot.
An ideal substrate for Monstera Deliciosa can be composed of a mixture of enriched potting soil , perlite , and pine bark or coconut chips , in proportions that ensure a good balance between water retention and drainage.
Perlite improves soil drainage and aeration , while pine bark or coconut chips and coconut fiber add structure to the mix, allowing roots to grow freely, breathe, and efficiently absorb water and nutrients.
To further enrich the substrate, you can incorporate some worm compost , which will provide additional nutrients essential for the growth of your Monstera.
However, it is important not to overload the mixture with organic matter to avoid excess moisture.
Checking the pH of the substrate is also beneficial; Monstera Deliciosa prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, between 5.5 and 7. If necessary, adjust the soil pH using specific amendments.
We recommend our " Araceae Substrate ", also called " Monstera Soil " - it is composed of essential and indispensable elements, it will meet 100% of the needs of your beautiful Monstera Deliciosa!
Finally, make sure that the pot you choose for your Monstera has adequate drainage holes .
A good practice is to place a layer of clay pebbles at the bottom of the pot before adding your potting mix.
This promotes better drainage and prevents water from accumulating at the roots.
By providing your Monstera Deliciosa with a substrate that meets these criteria, you will provide it with the ideal conditions to thrive, reflecting the beauty and vigor of this iconic plant.
WHEN SHOULD I REPOT MY PLANT?
Repotting your Monstera Deliciosa is a key step in its care, allowing not only for the refreshing of the substrate but also for giving the plant more space to grow.
In general, it is advisable to repot your Monstera every 2 to 3 years, ideally in spring or early summer, the period of active growth .
However, signs that repotting is necessary may include roots starting to grow out of drainage holes, slowed growth, or a substrate that is deteriorating and retaining less water.
When choosing a new pot, opt for a transparent pot with holes that is slightly larger than the previous one.
Repotting is also the perfect opportunity to add a support to your Monstera, thus mimicking its natural behavior of climbing trees in tropical forests .
The Importance of Tutoring
In its natural habitat, the Monstera Deliciosa uses trees as support to climb towards the light, which stimulates the development of its large, iconic leaves.
Indoors, providing a support for your Monstera helps it replicate this natural behavior, thus promoting healthy growth and larger leaves.
The best plant supports are made ofsphagnum moss or coconut fiber.
Adding a support will also encourage the plant to produce more aerial roots, which, in addition to clinging, absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, contributing to the overall health of the Monstera.
The Monstera will also develop larger leaves.
Be sure to gently attach the plant to the stake with flexible ties to avoid damaging the stems and leaves.
By following these tips for repotting and staking, your Monstera Deliciosa will continue to thrive.
HOW TO PROPAGATE A MONSTERA DELICIOSA?
Monstera deliciosa is easily propagated from stems with at least one aerial node.
Place the cutting in water or directly into moist potting soil until strong roots develop, then plant in a pot.
Sphagnum moss , thanks to its ability to retain moisture and provide an aerated environment, has proven to be an exceptional substrate for cuttings.
Your Monstera cuttings can be planted directly in fullsphagnum moss .
Lightly moisten the sphagnum moss and place the cutting, ensuring that the aerial node is in good contact with the substrate.
Sphagnum moss not only maintains the moisture necessary for rooting but also promotes good aeration around the node, reducing the risk of rot and stimulating growth.
Make sure to place your cutting in a warm spot with indirect light to encourage growth.
Sphagnum moss , in particular, offers the advantage of a smoother transition to repotting in soil, as the roots are already developing in an environment that simulates natural soil.
THE MONSTERA DELICIOSA FLOWER
Monstera deliciosa is famous for its spectacular foliage, but its flower also deserves special attention.
Resembling those of its cousin, the philodendron, the Monstera flower is a sublime inflorescence.
It consists of a creamy white spadix surrounded by a shiny, leaf-like spathe.
This flowering , although rare indoors, is a spectacle to admire, generally observable under optimal growing conditions and with a mature plant .
The Monstera flower is not only beautiful but also intriguing for its unique taste when the fruit it produces ripens.
The fruit, which can take up to a year to fully ripen, is edible and described as having a delicious taste, reminiscent of banana and pineapple.
However, it is crucial to know that the fruit of the Monstera deliciosa is toxic if consumed before it is fully ripe, as it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause severe irritation of the mouth and digestive system.
To encourage your Monstera to bloom, make sure you provide it with an environment that mimics its natural habitat.
Good humidity , a stable temperature and plenty of indirect light .
It is important to note that, even with optimal care, patience is key, and flowering remains very rare in our homes.
HOW TO PREVENT AND TREAT PESTS?
Regularly inspect your Monstera Deliciosa for any signs of aphids , spider mites , thrips or scale insects .
As a preventative measure, clean the leaves regularly.
We recommend using our pair of cleaning gloves which will allow you to dust and remove limescale from your plant gently .
This will promote plant respiration and maximize photosynthesis .
In case of infestation, treat with natural and biological methods such as black soap.
Find our organic recipe for fighting pests on the product page of our black soap for plants .
For greater effectiveness, we recommend applying the solution with our pair of microfiber plant cleaning gloves .
It will allow you to gently eliminate unwanted elements.
HERE ARE OUR EXPERT ADVICE:
- Provide indirect light to promote growth.
- Allow the substrate to dry out to a depth of a few centimeters between waterings.
- Repot and propagate to encourage the health and propagation of your Monstera.
- Spray its foliage several times a week (especially in summer).
- Clean the leaves with a damp cloth to promote photosynthesis .
- Support your Monstera with a sphagnum moss or coconut fiber stake .
- Watch out for pests and act quickly to keep your plant healthy.
