Monstera Deliciosa Care

Chances are you’ve spotted its graphic leaves on everything from throw pillows to wallpaper. Monstera is a tropical plant from the Araceae family. Its name, as one might guess, comes from the Latin meaning “abnormal” because of its odd-looking, perforated leaves that are often punched through with holes.

Here’s a look at the care and keeping of this statement-making plant.

___

Light: Your Monstera can grow just about anywhere in your home! It tolerates low light, but grows faster and becomes more dramatic in a bright spot. That said, avoid strong, direct sunlight because it may burn the leaves.

Water: When its soil becomes dry to a depth of 1-2”, water your monstera directly into the pot so not to moisten foliage and just enough to keep the soil from completely drying out. Your Monstera is somewhat drought tolerant, so you don’t need to worry about keeping up with the watering all the time. Don’t allow the pot to stand in water, as this will cause root rot.

Humidity: This plant will thrive in almost any environment, but if you want to give it a special treat, gently mist it once a week. It’s best to mist your Monstera in the morning so the water has plenty of time to evaporate before the evening.

Fertilizer: For best results, feed your plant once a month throughout the spring and summer. A little bit of food will go a long way to encourage growth and root health. No fertilizer is necessary during the winter—it’s important to give your Monstera a chance to rest during the cooler time of year.