Blessed with numerous common names (Monstera deliciosa, Ceriman, Swiss Cheese Plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Delicious Monster and wrongly, Split-leaf philodendron) the Monstera plant has immense appeal. It is a vine that originates from Central America which now grows naturally in most tropical regions, and in almost every collection of tropical and indoor plants. Initially thought to be a Philodendron, it was formerly known as Philodendron pertusum and often wrongly as Philodendron Monstera. The genus is named from the Latin word for "monstrous" or "abnormal", and refers to the unusual leaves with natural holes that members of the genus have.
Light and Postion
Ideal conditions will produce a large healthy plant. Avoid strong sunlight which will scorch the leaves and dark corners which will restrict the growth and result in smaller less serrated leaves. Monsteras are happiest in locations with ample space.
Temperature Range
A temperature range of 15-21 degrees centigrade (60-70F) is ideal. Excessive heat should be avoided or the lush leaves will begin to curl and droop. Avoid wet conditions around the roots if lower temperatures are likely to prevail which may cause the roots to rot. A weather station (Find on Amazon or Find on Amazon ) is a fantastic tool to track this.
Watering
Water directly onto the soil and keep everything moist especially if in dry surroundings. Aeriel roots will grow from the main stem of the plant. Where there is an excessive amount of these roots, it will do no harm to remove some of them, but it is really much better to tie the roots neatly to the main stem of the plant so they may grow naturally into the soil in the pot when they are long enough. Copper watering cans can be stylish watering cans available as well as practial (Find on Amazon or Find on Amazon ).
Feeding
The Monstera plant will require regular feeding during its active growing period (spring to autumn) as it produces masses of roots. A specially formulated fertilizer or a general purpose water-soluble fertilizer such as 20-20-20 (Find on Amazon or Find on Amazon ) applied at the rate of 1/2 teaspoon of water per 2 quarts of water for indoor plants will suffice. During less active periods, feed only if new leaves are being produced. Large plants which have been in their pots a long time also need frequent feeding.
Seasonal Care
During the active growth period (spring to autumn) feed and water the monstera generously.The monstera leaf is a vibrant shiny green so make sure you polish them regularly although avoid the younger leaves as these are easily damaged.
Soil
The potting mixture for monsteras should be primarily composed of peat, sand, and an appropriate fertilizer. Older plants will benefit from a mixture containing a good amount of sterilized loam. A young plant in its first pot will need to be transplanted shortly after purchase. As is usual with most houseplants, find a pot which is slightly bigger than the existing one and using new compost pot it up into its new home. If the plant is healthy, potting can be done at any time of the year but should be avoided during the colder months. Don't feed newly repotted plants for at least three months.
Propagation
You would rarely want more than one of these large house plants in your home due to its size (up to 6m or 20ft), but if you really want to give it a go or want to take cuttings for friends, you can remove the growing tips from stems just below an aerial root node. Once you've done this, plant the cutting including the aerial root node in a similar compost mix to what the parent was growing in and maintain similar conditions until established, before moving on to its new home. Alternatively you can root them in water first. There is no need for rooting hormone.
Varieties
Although it's been around for ages, there are still very few cultivars you can buy. The most common is the original Monstera Deliciosa, but you may find it being incorrectly sold as Philodendron Pertusum, or a Split Leaf Philodendron especially if the plant you are looking at is very small. Monstera's when young will not have the distinct leaf shapes that a mature specimen will develop, so it's easy to confuse it with a general Philodendron.
There is a variegated Monstera Deliciosa, which has white sections on the leaves called Monstera Deliciosa Variegata. This is a little harder to care for and grows slower, consequently it's rather hard to get hold of. In addition, unlike a lot of variegated houseplants, the markings don't tend to make it any more appealing.
Pest and Diseases
Mites and Scale Insects, Leaf Spot, Root Rot
FAQ's
Where do you put Monstera plants?
Monstera can grow up to 20ft tall so any location with lots of space is ideal such as a large living room or entrance hall. Avoid squashing them onto window sills or to close to furniture. As they are a climbing vine they also benefit from support such as a pole or trellis.
Can you keep a monstera plant small?
It is possible to stop a Monstera getting to big. Keep it in the same pot or re-pot less frequently and routinely prune back its leaves to keep it at a more manageable size.
How long do Monstera leaves last?
When cut, the large leathery Monstera leaves can last from 1-3 weeks making them great for indoor displays without the commitment that comes from investing in a whole plant. But remember, this plant is toxic so keep well away from small children and pets.
Can I cut Monstera leaves?
Monstera leaves are tough and can survive if you only want to remove a damaged or withered part. If you want to remove the whole leaf, make a flat (rather than angled) cut as close to the parent branch as possible.
How do you clean Monstera leaves?
Plants like everything else in our homes will require cleaning and dusting from time to time. The benefits include;
- Our Health - Plants produce oxygen and remove harmful toxins from the air; being covered in dust can reduce these effects
Plant Health - In its natural environment outside, wind and rain keep plants free of dust this helps with photosynthesis and pest resistance. A healthy plant needs to be clear of dust. The house plant's natural habitat is outdoors where they are exposed to wind and rainfall, which together helps keep it healthy by keeping the foliage dust free. This in turn helps with the following:
Photosynthesis - Plants create their own food through photosynthesis which requires access to light. If the leaves are coated in a blocking layer of dust the amount of light accessible is reduced. Additionally the flow of Carbon Dioxide into the plant and the resulting outflow of Oxygen will be less. A good looking and clean plant will therefore have the maximum potential for productive and efficient photosynthesis, which in turns fuels all of its activities.
Pest Resistance - When under stress, plants are more susceptible to pest attack. Much like people are more prone to certain illnesses when they are feeling down. In addition to poor photosynthesis production, certain pests find it easier to set up home and spread on unmanaged plants.
Some of the simplest ways to clean your monstera are the best ways
Indoor Shower - Pop them in the bath or the shower and give them a very gentle rinse with lukewarm water, no soap required. This way you can wash and water several plants at once. Some soil will wash out of the pots though so take care.
Outdoor Shower - If you have a warm wet day without too much wind, pop them outside for a couple of hours and let mother nature do the work for you.
Damp Cloth - If you have very large mature plants they can be wiped over with a damp cloth. Support the leaf from below to prevent any damage like tearing.
Misting - Not all plants can be put in a shower or wiped over. Many cacti and succulents such as some bonsai and the pachypodium are sensitive to the overwatering that would occur with a flood of water from a shower and trying to clean certain cacti with a cloth will not end well. For the plant, the cloth and possibly your hands! A simple mister allows you to get water where it's needed without overdoing things.
Brushes - The final popular method is to use art brushes or puffers to clean the leaves. This is good for cacti with only a few small spines or hairy leaved plants such as the African Violet which results in ugly water marks if the leaves are splashed. It does take a bit more time and can be fiddly but you usually have to do it less often. Just brush or blow the dust away.