Monstera Origins & Care
Monstera are one of the hardiest, and forgiving plants among the hobby's specimens. Monstera come in different shapes, colors, and sizes. All monstera however sport those beautiful fenestrations we love and are considered vines. There are currently 59 species of Monstera available. The top three most popular Monstera in homes today are the Adansonii, Deliciosa, and Borsigiana. How you care for these plants are generally the same as other tropical plants. Below you will find all the information on where they are from, what they need, and how to be a successful Monstera momma or poppa.
Temperature/Humidity
Monstera are fenestrated beauties native to Central America and Mexico. Temperatures in these regions can range from low 70's to low 90's in Fahrenheit. The humidity in these areas can range from 50 - 70%. In order for your Monstera to thrive, you must get as close to these conditions as possible. These plants can thrive outside most places during the summer months. If you live in hardiness zones 10-12, you are in the golden zone. Northern states can have this plant outside but when temperatures reach a consistent low of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, I suggest bringing the baby inside. When bringing them indoors, be sure to cleanse thoroughly to prevent pest outbreaks in your home. Refer to the "How to Prevent and Treat Pest Outbreaks" blog post for more details. If you live in other zones and your plant is inside, a hygrometer is suggested. This will tell you the ambient humidity and temperature where your plants are being kept. Northern or colder states that utilize heat, will need to supplement the humidity with a humidifier. This plant will get crispy edge leaves if the humidity is consistently too low.
Potting
Just like most aroids, there are three ways to keep Monstera in your home. The first is to use a chunky aroid mix. I use a combination of coarse perlite, pumice, orchid bark, compost, LECA, and horticultural charcoal. The second method is semi-hydroponically which uses either Fluval stratum, Lechuza Pon, LECA, or lava rocks. I personally use either Fluval stratum and lava rocks mixed together, or LECA. The vessel is filled 1/3's full with water that has a nutrient solution. The third method is to use hydroponics. When growing your plants in water, it is imperative to use some type of nutrient solution. Plants pull nutrients from the environment their roots are in. Also keep in mind, plants tend to grow smaller less fenestrated leaves when grown in water. When feeding your Monstera, they prefer a NPK ratio of 3-1-2. Using a moss pole or trellis is ideal for this monster of a plant. These babies can reach up to 10 ft tall indoors if given something to climb. If you intend to use a moss pole, that pole must stay consistently moist. If you allow the pole to dry out too much, the roots that grow inside will suffer and possibly rot. If you use a trellis or another type of pole that doesn't require to stay moist, no need to fret on keeping the roots moist.
Watering
Watering a plant tends to be the most stressful part of keeping the babies alive. Monstera live in subtropical forests that have wet and dry seasons. Monstera whether living inside your home or outside will thrive in the same conditions. If your Monstera is in a potting mix, the best method for testing the moisture of your plants media is to use a wooden chopstick. Yes, you heard me right, a chopstick. Take the wooden chopstick, push it down to the bottom of the pot and then pull it back out. If you see moist soil sticking to more than half of your chopstick, it is not yet time to water. If you see moist soil sticking to less than half of the chopstick, it is time to water. This is what most plant people call 50% dry. I've seen Monstera get to 25% dry and still not show any signs of stress. As aerial roots form on the vine, you can place them into little glass jars and air propagate your plant. You can either chop the plant to make more plants, or you can take those water roots and put them into the soil to increase the integrity of the vine.
Lighting
Finally, what lighting does the Monstera prefer? Generally this plant appreciates bright indirect light. What does bright indirect light mean? It means the plant can see the sky, but the suns rays doesn't directly touch the leaves. It is fine for the plant to receive some direct sun but which direct sun makes a huge difference. Early morning sun and early afternoon sun are ok, but avoid late afternoon sun. If you live in hardiness zones 10-12, give the plant shade beginning early afternoon to prevent leaf scorching. When growing your plant indoors, you want to supplement the light outside unless you have a south east, east, or west facing window. I personally keep my plants about six inches from a grow light and that light remains on for 12-14 hours a day everyday. I do not change plant care habits from season to season. If you have a hard time keeping up with how much sun time your plant is receiving, you can use times on your plant lights.
Still need tips and tricks for your specific plant, send me an email or chat. I'll be happy to help!
Temperature/Humidity
Monstera are fenestrated beauties native to Central America and Mexico. Temperatures in these regions can range from low 70's to low 90's in Fahrenheit. The humidity in these areas can range from 50 - 70%. In order for your Monstera to thrive, you must get as close to these conditions as possible. These plants can thrive outside most places during the summer months. If you live in hardiness zones 10-12, you are in the golden zone. Northern states can have this plant outside but when temperatures reach a consistent low of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, I suggest bringing the baby inside. When bringing them indoors, be sure to cleanse thoroughly to prevent pest outbreaks in your home. Refer to the "How to Prevent and Treat Pest Outbreaks" blog post for more details. If you live in other zones and your plant is inside, a hygrometer is suggested. This will tell you the ambient humidity and temperature where your plants are being kept. Northern or colder states that utilize heat, will need to supplement the humidity with a humidifier. This plant will get crispy edge leaves if the humidity is consistently too low.
Potting
Just like most aroids, there are three ways to keep Monstera in your home. The first is to use a chunky aroid mix. I use a combination of coarse perlite, pumice, orchid bark, compost, LECA, and horticultural charcoal. The second method is semi-hydroponically which uses either Fluval stratum, Lechuza Pon, LECA, or lava rocks. I personally use either Fluval stratum and lava rocks mixed together, or LECA. The vessel is filled 1/3's full with water that has a nutrient solution. The third method is to use hydroponics. When growing your plants in water, it is imperative to use some type of nutrient solution. Plants pull nutrients from the environment their roots are in. Also keep in mind, plants tend to grow smaller less fenestrated leaves when grown in water. When feeding your Monstera, they prefer a NPK ratio of 3-1-2. Using a moss pole or trellis is ideal for this monster of a plant. These babies can reach up to 10 ft tall indoors if given something to climb. If you intend to use a moss pole, that pole must stay consistently moist. If you allow the pole to dry out too much, the roots that grow inside will suffer and possibly rot. If you use a trellis or another type of pole that doesn't require to stay moist, no need to fret on keeping the roots moist.
Watering
Watering a plant tends to be the most stressful part of keeping the babies alive. Monstera live in subtropical forests that have wet and dry seasons. Monstera whether living inside your home or outside will thrive in the same conditions. If your Monstera is in a potting mix, the best method for testing the moisture of your plants media is to use a wooden chopstick. Yes, you heard me right, a chopstick. Take the wooden chopstick, push it down to the bottom of the pot and then pull it back out. If you see moist soil sticking to more than half of your chopstick, it is not yet time to water. If you see moist soil sticking to less than half of the chopstick, it is time to water. This is what most plant people call 50% dry. I've seen Monstera get to 25% dry and still not show any signs of stress. As aerial roots form on the vine, you can place them into little glass jars and air propagate your plant. You can either chop the plant to make more plants, or you can take those water roots and put them into the soil to increase the integrity of the vine.
Lighting
Finally, what lighting does the Monstera prefer? Generally this plant appreciates bright indirect light. What does bright indirect light mean? It means the plant can see the sky, but the suns rays doesn't directly touch the leaves. It is fine for the plant to receive some direct sun but which direct sun makes a huge difference. Early morning sun and early afternoon sun are ok, but avoid late afternoon sun. If you live in hardiness zones 10-12, give the plant shade beginning early afternoon to prevent leaf scorching. When growing your plant indoors, you want to supplement the light outside unless you have a south east, east, or west facing window. I personally keep my plants about six inches from a grow light and that light remains on for 12-14 hours a day everyday. I do not change plant care habits from season to season. If you have a hard time keeping up with how much sun time your plant is receiving, you can use times on your plant lights.
Still need tips and tricks for your specific plant, send me an email or chat. I'll be happy to help!
