This ultimate guide on monstera care will help you to grow and care for monstera plant. Learn sunlight, watering, fertilizers, requirements of the plant.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Monstera plant is one of the most favourite and loved plants among garden enthusiasts. It is also known as Swiss cheese plant that grows very well in tropical areas. If you want to care for your plant very well then you are on the right page.
In this article, I will discuss on Monstera care. Sunlight, Watering, Fertilizer, Potting Mix, Pest Management, etc.
Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa
These alluring evergreen ornamental plants can grow up to 20 feet in height if cared well. The holes in the leaves give a swiss cheese-like appearance. They can be grown outdoors as well as indoors.
They also produce delicious fruits but rarely in indoor conditions.
They are climbers with aerial roots hence you can play a smart trick by growing them near any wall, trees, or any supporting material. If you are growing in the pot then you can use a moss stick.
Monstera is also known for its air-purifying qualities. They filter out carcinogens like Benzene, Trichloroethylene, and Formaldehyde.
Monstera Care Guide
Potting Mix
Monstera loves well-drained soil rich in organic matter. You can prepare your potting mix with 50% normal well-drained garden soil + 30% cocopeat + 20% organic compost like vermicompost. Mix it thoroughly and pour it in the growing container with at least 3 to 4 drainage holes.
You can also prepare the potting mix with 70% normal garden soil + 30% pumice or perlite.
Sunlight
I will suggest to keep this plant in the area that receives filtered indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight and complete dark shade if you want to grow this plant properly. If you place it in an area that receives too much bright sunlight then the leaves will turn light yellow in colour.
In dark, this plant can survive but the growth of the plant gets affected so it is better to keep this plant in indirect sunlight. You can rotate the pot periodically to ensure that all the parts of the plant receives an equal amount of sunlight.
Periodic rotation will help in the overall development of the plant.
Watering
Monstera requires moderate watering that means do not apply large or very less amount of water to this plant. It is considered ideal to apply water once in a week. But watering can be affected by many environmental factors.
If the weather is too hot and the upper layer of the soil in the pot is getting dry very fast then you can apply water when the top layer of the soil seems dry. Monstera plant loves humidity so you can mist the leaves of your plant once a week.
Yellowing of leaves is an indication of overwatering. Yellowing of leaves along with browning of the tip of the leaves is the sign of underwatering.
Fertilizers
Feeding of this plant is one of the most important parts. To maintain lush green foliage fertilize your plant with nitrogen-rich fertilizers. If you want to grow completely organic then you can use Vermicompost or Seaweed liquid fertilizer.
Dig out the top layer of the soil around the plant base with the help of Trowel or khurpi once in a month and add a handful of vermicompost by evenly spreading it around the base of the plant.
Avoid adding fertilizers in winter. You can add a handful of vermicompost once in two months in the winters.
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Humidity
This plant loves a humid environment to grow but that doesn’t mean to overwater your plants. Overwatering can cause root rot. In a week you can mist your plant with the spray bottle to maintain moisture.
Propagation
To propagate this plant take the cutting from the bottom of the stem of a healthy leaf. Take cuttings just after a leaf node and put them in a jar filled with water. You can also use rooting hormones before putting the cuttings in water.
Keep it in a shady area for at least 10 days till you notice roots developing in the plant. You can also grow your cuttings by directly sowing in the soil. The ideal season to grow this plant from cutting is from spring to summer.
Selection Of Pot
It is better to select pot according to the size of this plant. If your plant is very small to 3 to 5 feet in height then use small earthen pots. When the roots start emerging out of the drainage holes in the pot then you can shift your plant to a larger pot.
But do not select much larger pot than the previous one as this could lead to the drowning of plant roots. Make sure to have at least 3 to 4 drainage holes in the pot as this plant doesn’t love stagnant water in the pot.
Pruning
Pruning of monstera is very important as it helps to promote the growth of the plant. You can prune old leaves at the base of the plant along with the nodes and use it to grow a new plant from it.
It has two benefits, your plant growth will become healthy because of pruning and you will get a new plant. Pruning can be done from spring to summer.
Pests & Diseases
Monstera can get affected by root rot disease and pests like spider mites, mealybugs can affect the plant in severe condition. But this is not common, this plant does not get easily affected.
You can prevent root rot by avoiding overwatering to this plant. So you need not to worry much about pest and disease attacks in this plant. Just take care well and it will perform very well.
In case your plant gets affected by pests then spray neem oil to combat the spread of the pest. You can learn to make neem oil spray by clicking on this link given below.
READ MORE: HOW TO MAKE NEEM OIL SPRAY
Repotting
You can change the pot once every two years or based on the growth of your plant and the root. Change your pot only when you notice roots emerging out of the drainage holes at the bottom.
Do not shift your plant to a very large pot. Select a slightly larger pot than the previous one for repotting.
Toxicity
It is found that this plant is mildly toxic to humans and pets. If ingested then it can cause pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue oral irritation, vomiting, etc.
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