monstera plant profile
- Botanical Name: Monstera
- Common Varieties: Monstera adansonii, Monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese plant)
- Plant Type: Vining, Houseplant
Monstera has become increasingly popular in the world of houseplants. Native to the jungle, these plants can grow to become enormous in size – up to dozens of feet tall with leaves spanning four feet wide! As a young plant, Monstera resembles a dense bush. As it matures, it develops more vine-like tendencies. Older plants can be pruned regularly to maintain its more youthful look or encouraged to climb vertically up a support such as a trellis.
how do you care for a monstera plant?
Monstera can grow just about anywhere indoors. It can tolerate low light, grows dramatic in high light, and can even handle some direct sunlight. However, if the plant is receiving too much light, its leaves will begin to yellow. This plant is somewhat drought resistant, but prefers to be watered regularly so it doesn’t dry out. During the spring and summer months, fertilize once a month.
quick care guide
light
Low Light
Moderate Light
High Light
water
Moderate Watering Needs
colorS
Green
features
Great for Beginners
Air Purifier
frequently asked questions
The perforations help to maximize leaf surface area which in turn helps the plant capture sunlight from the forest floor. The split also allows water from tropical downpours to more easily pass through the leaves reducing damage to the plant.
While it will tolerate almost any indoor lighting condition, it will really thrive in brightly lit areas.
You’ll want to water your plant just enough to keep it from drying out – about once a week.
They are excellent houseplants with the ability to survive in almost any indoor environment. When grown indoors, its size will be limited by the size of the container it is potted in.
Curled or crispy leaves are a good indication that the humidity is too low or the plant has been fed too much fertilizer.
It is recommended to repot in the spring prior to the growth of new leaves. The size of your plant will be limited by the size of the container it is in. These beauties can grow to be HUGE!
Technically, no. There are only two true species of split-leaf philodendrons – p. selloum and p. bipinnatifidum. The confusion lies in that Monstera was formerly classified as a Philodendron and due to its perforated leaves, received the common name of “split-leaf philodendron.” That common name just happened to stick.
monstera propagation
Monstera can be propagated in water via stem cuttings. Once sufficient roots have formed – approximately six to eight weeks – the plant can be moved to a soil filled container.
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