plantatiousMonstera (Monstera deliciosa)
- Light
- Bright, indirect light
- Watering
- When the top of the soil is dry
- Temperature
- 16–29°C
Monstera deliciosa, best known as the Swiss cheese plant, is a climbing member of the arum family, Araceae. It is native to the tropical forests from southern Mexico to Panama, where it climbs tree trunks with its aerial roots, and botanists once filed it as Philodendron pertusum. Indoors you grow it for its big, glossy leaves, which develop their famous splits and holes as the plant matures.
How fast does Monstera grow?
Monstera grows at a steady, moderate pace indoors: in a bright spot it unfurls a new leaf every few weeks through spring and summer, then slows almost to a stop in winter.
Light sets the pace. Longer, brighter days fuel active growth, while short winter days slow it down however carefully you water. Age matters too: young plants make small, whole leaves, and the split leaves Monstera is known for come with maturity and good light. Give it a moss pole to climb and its stems and leaves tend to grow larger, much as they would on a tree trunk in the forest.
How to care for a Monstera
Give your Monstera bright, indirect light, water it when the top of the soil is dry, and keep it between 16°C and 29°C. A spot near a bright window but out of harsh midday sun suits it best: direct sun through glass can scorch the leaves, while too little light means slow growth and leaves without splits. Let the top of the soil dry out before you water again, and use a pot that drains, because roots that stay wet start to rot. It enjoys the humid air of its forest home but copes well with ordinary room air; just keep it away from radiators and cold drafts. Seeing yellow leaves? Read why Monstera leaves turn yellow.
| Light | Bright, indirect light |
|---|---|
| Watering | When the top of the soil is dry |
| Temperature | 16–29°C |
| Repot every | 2 years |
| Native to | Mexico and Central America |
| Growth form | Woody climbing plant |
Sources
- Monstera deliciosa (Ceriman, Cutleaf Philodendron, Hurricane Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Split-leaf Philodendron, Swiss Cheese Plant), NC State Extension
- Monstera as a Houseplant, Penn State Extension
- Govaerts R (ed.). WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, CC BY 3.0
Tips
- Give it a moss pole or another sturdy support, and tie the stems loosely so the aerial roots can grip.
- Leave the aerial roots on the plant, or guide them into the soil or the moss pole.
- Repot about every 2 years, in spring, into a pot only a little larger.
- Feed it with a balanced plant food in spring and summer, when it grows, and let it rest in winter.
- Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth now and then, so dust does not block the light.
Is Monstera toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists Monstera as toxic to cats and dogs. The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, so chewing it irritates a pet’s mouth and can cause drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Keep your Monstera where pets cannot reach it, and if yours has chewed it, call your vet for advice.
Monstera care: common questions
Why doesn’t my Monstera have split leaves?
Young plants make whole leaves, and the splits come as the plant matures. If a grown plant keeps making whole leaves, it most likely needs more light; something to climb helps too.
Should I cut off Monstera aerial roots?
You don’t need to. They help the plant climb and take up water. Guide them into the soil or a moss pole, or trim one that is in the way; that does the plant no harm.
How often should I water a Monstera?
Whenever the top of the soil is dry, rather than on a fixed schedule. That means more often in a bright, warm summer and much less in winter, when it grows slowly.
Why are my Monstera’s leaves turning brown at the edges?
Crisp brown edges usually mean the plant dries out too far between waterings or sits in very dry air, for example next to a radiator. Water thoroughly once the top of the soil is dry, and move it away from the heat.