Monstera Deliciosa Care: Easy Techniques for Monstera Upkeep

monstera deliciosa care

Monstera Deliciosa Care: Easy Techniques for Monstera Upkeep

Any home’s decor can be immediately boosted with the addition of a Monstera Deliciosa! Its vibrant green leaves, unique hole pattern, and impressive size make this tropical plant the focal point of any room. Its exotic looks may lead you to believe that it’s tough to care for this rainforest-dwelling plant. But the Monstera Deliciosa is actually quite simple to care for.

 

When provided with the right pot, heat, humidity, and watering schedule, the Monstera Deliciosa will become one of the most beautiful plants you’ve ever invited into your home. Learn proper Monstera Deliciosa care to make sure your plant is bright, healthy, and striking any time of year!

 

 

What is a Monstera Deliciosa?

Monstera Deliciosa is sometimes known as the Swiss Cheese Plant. You might have guessed it but it’s because of the plant’s unique appearance. They are full of holes! More on that in a second.

 

The Monstera Deliciosa is an evergreen tropical vine that is part of the aroid family. It’s one of the few aroids that produces edible fruit! But it’s rare for a Monstera to produce flowers or fruit indoors. But even without the fruit, there’s no denying that the Monstera is stunning, thanks to its large, vibrant green leaves.

 

When the Monstera Deliciosa plant is younger, the leaves are small and heart-shaped. Holes appear in the leaves as the plant matures. This is called “fenestration.” Over thousands of years, the Monstera Deliciosa developed this process to adapt to its environment.

 

Nobody is completely sure why the Monstera Deliciosa came to develop holes, but there are a lot of theories. The holes allow the Monstera to withstand heavy rain forest rains without taking any damage to their leaves. The holes might also help the Monstera resist high winds from tropical storms. That’s where the plant got its other popular nickname, the Hurricane Plant.

 

But the most common explanation is that the holes in the Swiss Cheese Plant’s leaves allow for more sunlight and water to reach the body of the plant. That’s because there is limited light under the thick canopy of the rain forest and the Monstera Deliciosa had to adapt.

 

 

large green monstera leaves

 

 

Where Do Monstera Plants Come From?

The Monstera Deliciosa is commonly found in Central America, more specifically the tropical rain forests of Mexico and Central America. This tropical vine produces flowers and edible fruit when it’s in the wilds of the rainforest. The fruit tastes sort of like a pineapple, hence Deliciosa. In the wild, the Monstera can also grow quite big — like dozens of feet tall with leaves two feet wide!

 

Even though the Monstera Deliciosa appears a bit different when it’s grown indoors, it still carries a lot of its same qualities, requirements, and behaviors. That includes climbing things!

 

 

How to Care for a Monstera Deliciosa

The Monstera Deliciosa is very easy to care for! While it’s not as hardy and versatile as the seemingly indestructible Snake Plant, the Monstera Deliciosa is still a pretty simple plant that immediately transforms any space it’s in. Its vibrant and unique leaves are worth the extra effort of keeping this plant healthy and happy.

 

Provide Ample Sunlight

An important first step is picking the perfect spot for this beautiful plant. While it’s tempting to place the Monstera Deliciosa in the perfect spot that amps up your interior points, it’s also important to keep the amount of light in that spot in mind.

 

The Swiss Cheese Plant thrives in medium to bright indirect light. While they can survive in low light, you’ll notice larger, brighter leaves in bright, indirect sunlight. The Monstera Deliciosa can also acclimate to intense, direct sun but that’s not ideal either.

 

Place this plant a few feet away from south-, west-, or east-facing windows if possible. The location you choose should also be quite spacious instead of a tight corner or windowsill. If the plant is getting too much light, you’ll most likely notice singed tips, burned patches, or even its leaves falling off completely.

 

Utilize a Pot and Soil That Allows Water Drainage

Choose a pot for your plant that allows for ample water drainage. This would allow excess water to seep out of the pot after watering. You don’t want the water to pool at the bottom of the pot — this can cause rot, fungus, and bacteria.

 

Water Every 1 to 2 Weeks

You should water your Monstera Deliciosa every one to two weeks. This plant doesn’t require a lot of water and instead needs its soil to dry out before getting watered again.

 

Monstera plants should also not be overfertilized. You can add fertilizer to your water during the spring and summer to encourage growth. But give your plant a break during the winter and switch back to plain water.

 

Monitor Room Temperature and Humidity

While Monstera Deliciosa doesn’t like to be overwatered, the plant does love humidity. In fact, it requires it. If your home is in a dry climate, set up a humidifier nearby. You should always mist your plant occasionally. Mist the plant in the morning to allow time for the water to evaporate before the evening.

 

The Swiss Cheese Plant needs to be in a home that’s 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This tropical plant can’t survive in temperatures below 55 degrees, especially if it’s a sudden drop. Don’t put the plant near cold drafts. During the winter, direct airflow from the heaters to keep them warm.

 

 

large green plant in an modern apartment setting

 

 

Common Monstera Deliciosa Care Issues

While the Monstera Deliciosa is pretty easy to take care of, there are still some things to keep in mind if you want to ensure your plant is as healthy as possible. Most of these common care issues come with easy solutions as well!

 

Let’s go over some common problems to keep an eye out for. We’ll also provide you with the reason this issue is occurring so you can quickly improve your Monstera Deliciosa care with little stress.

 

No Holes

This is a plant known for its giant leaves full of holes. So when you don’t see any holes, that definitely is a problem. This is often due to a lack of light. If your plant isn’t getting enough light the leaves won’t mature. Place it in an area with brighter indirect lighting. You can also trim older, smaller leaves around the bottom of the plant to encourage new leaves to form.

 

Leaves Are Brown and Crispy

If your plant isn’t bright green, you might not be watering it enough. The Hurricane Plant requires a consistent watering schedule, getting fresh water about once a week or so. Try setting a strict schedule for watering your Monstera Deliciosa to ensure it’s getting the right amount of hydration.

 

Wilting plant

Your plant could be underwatered or pot-bound if it’s wilting. Check the potting mix. Is it completely dry? Your plant might need more water. It also might not be getting enough misting. Remember that this tropical plant needs humidity!

 

Yellowing Leaves

If your plant has yellow leaves and a black stem, the culprit could be too much water. Overwatering is damaging to plants that don’t require a lot of the wet stuff. If your soil is wet, that means the plant has too much water.

 

Your Dog or Cat Has Taken Interest

The Monstera Deliciosa shouldn’t be kept around pets. If foliage is consumed, your cat or dog could become irritated or sick. Make sure your plant is kept away from your pets if you choose to have one of these beauties as part of your decor.

 

How to Tell If It’s Healthy

Your Monstera Deliciosa should thrive perfectly indoors under the right care. It may grow tiny flowers or edible fruits but this is highly unlikely.

 

Here are some of the tell-tale signs your plant is doing great:

 

  • Multiple, large holes in the leaves (you probably never thought you’d see that under “healthy” in a plant article)
  • Large leaves
  • Growing tall
  • Climbing
  • Vivid green color

 

How To Tell If It’s Dying

Just like it will be clear if your Monstera Deliciosa is doing well, it can also be quite easy to tell if it’s not getting enough sunlight or not the right amount of water.

 

If you notice any of these signs, you might have to change up some of your plant care:

 

  • Small leaves with no holes
  • Yellow leaves
  • Brown or black stem
  • White spots
  • Wilting leaves
  • Curling leaves
  • Soggy or soft leaves
  • Really wet soil with fungus, bacteria, etc.
  • Bugs and other pests

 

 

Final Thoughts – Monstera Deliciosa Care

Plant lovers looking for a simple yet striking plant to add to their home should look no further than the Monstera Deliciosa. This tropical beauty is known for its giant, green leaves full of holes, as well as its extreme size. It’s sure to boost the appearance of any room it’s in — although it will definitely steal the show.

 

Make sure to water your Monstera Deliciosa every one or two weeks, checking to make sure the soil is dry before adding more liquids. And give this plant enough light and misting to ensure it grows bright and big. Remember, this is a plant that has adapted over the years to thrive in the rainforest underneath the canopy. A lot of the care you provide it now should resemble its native region if you want to keep your plant healthy and happy.

 

The Monstera Deliciosa is a great plant for beginners and experts alike. It’s a one-of-a-kind plant that’s ready to wow guests and brighten your life — one hole at a time!

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