How to Care for Monstera—a Beginner-Friendly Houseplant Anyone Can Grow

Monstera is one of the most popular houseplants amongst gardeners. Also referred to as the Swiss-cheese plant or split-leaf philodendron, this plant is beloved for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes or fenestrations when it matures.

Beyond aesthetics, monstera also has a reputation for being low-maintenance and easy to find at any nursery or big-box plant store. This fast-growing plant thrives in bright light and well-draining soil and benefits from regular fertilization. To ensure your monstera plant flourishes, we spoke to gardening experts who shared their tips for how to grow and care for this common houseplant.

Monstera Care

Monstera thrives in bright sunlight, well-draining soil, and warmer temperatures. While this plant is easy to grow, its basic care needs must be met in order to ensure it stays healthy.

Sunlight

Monstera prefers bright, indirect sunlight. "Leaves will develop more fenestrations (holes)in locations with brighter light," says Beatriz Garces of Nature's Way Farms. "In low light conditions, it's likely plants will stay smaller, and leaves will stay whole." But be careful not to give monstera plants too much sun, as direct light can burn the foliage.

Soil

Pot monstera in porous, well-draining soil, such as a mix of bark and peat moss. "Thick monstera roots do not like wet feet and do better with a soil that can drain freely," says Garces.

Water

Many monstera varieties are native to regions where it rains daily or several times per week, so they enjoy relatively moist soil. Water monstera when the top 25 to 30 percent or so of the potting mix is dry to the touch, says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. This provides the plant with enough moisture but not so much that it drowns and kills the roots.

Temperature

Monstera grows best in warmer temperatures that range from 65 degrees to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants typically prefer above-average relative humidity levels inside, but most do well in average relative humidity levels (40 to 60 percent), says Hancock. "As a general rule, the thinner a monstera’s leaf is, the more susceptible they are to suffering in dry air," he says.

Fertilizer

Regular fertilization is important to encourage foliage growth. Use a balanced fertilizer (such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) and feed it to your monstera plant a few times throughout the growing season according to the instructions on the packaging.

Types of Monstera Plants

There are many different types of monstera, and each one has its own unique coloring and foliage size. Here are some of the most common varieties.

• Monstera deliciosa: The most popular variety, Monstera deliciosa, is known for its large, dark green leaves that can reach 2 feet or more across and are decorated with fenestrations, says Hancock.
• Monstera adansonii: This variety is commonly called Swiss cheese plant because of its long, narrow leaves that have fenestrations running throughout the foliage. It’s pretty adaptable and easy to propagate, making it a favorite among plant parents, says Hancock.
• Monstera esqueleto: A unique variety with large leaves with big fenestrations, Monstera esqueleto often features leaves that have more holes than leaf surface as it matures, says Hancock.
• Monstera deliciosa 'Peru': This species has dark green leaves and an interesting corrugated texture. Unlike many other Monstera varieties, this one doesn’t tend to fenestrate or split, says Hancock.
• Monstera standleyana 'Albo Variegata': Commonly called cobra monstera, this fast-growing variety doesn’t fenestrate. While its dark green leaves can grow large, they stay rounded and are decorated with streaks and splashes of creamy white, says Hancock.
• Monstera deliciosa 'Thai Constellation': A super-trendy variety, Thai constellation shows off variegated leaves with shades of cream and white. It’s one of the most popular houseplants available right now, says Hancock.

Pruning Monstera

Pruning monstera can be done to control size and encourage growth. To do so, cut just above the junction where a leaf meets the stem, using clean, sharp scissors. "There’s a node (new growth point) at every leaf point," says Hancock. "Pruning just above that node will encourage it to activate and grow." Avoid removing more than 25 to 33 percent of the total leaf mass at one time. 

Propagating Monstera

Monstera plants are one of the easiest plants to propagate through stem cuttings. "Different monstera varieties have different timelines for rooting; some are quicker, and some are slower, even in the same conditions," says Hancock.

1. Find a stem that has three to five leaves, and cut it just above the root node.
2. Fill a small container with moist, well-draining potting mix.
3. Place the cutting in the medium, tamping down the soil to make sure it's secure.
4. Keep the container in a warm, brightly lit area with high humidity.
   

Repotting Monstera

Most monstera varieties are very tolerant of being root-bound, so they don't need to be repotted often. That said, your monstera will eventually need a new, roomier home. "If you slip your monstera out of the pot, look at the ratio of visible roots to potting mix," says Hancock. "If it’s more than about 75 percent roots, then it’s getting root-bound and time to go up a pot size."

1. Choose a container (with drainage holes) that is about 2 to 4 inches wider than the current container. 
2. Gently remove the plant from its container.
3. Loosen the roots as best you can, removing excess soil around the rootball.
4. Fill the new container halfway with fresh potting mix.
5. Place the plant in the center of the container and backfill with more potting mix.
6. Water the soil well and place the container in a warm, brightly lit area with high humidity.

Common Pests and Diseases

There are a few pests you may encounter when growing monstera. Spider mites—tiny arachnids that feed from the leaves of your plant—are the most common. They're identified by the webbing they produce, says Hancock. Also look out for mealybugs and thrips. Mealybugs are small insects that cover themselves in a waxy coating, which protects them from many insecticides. Thrips essentially claw the protective leaf surface away so they can feed from plant cells. All of these pests can be treated with weekly treatments of horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.

Monstera plants are generally resistant to disease. "You may occasionally see fungal issues pop up, particularly if the plant is overwatered and the roots start to suffocate," says Hancock. Leaf spots, although rare, may also occur. Mood moisture management and adequate light are essential to preventing plant diseases in monsteras.

Common Problems

Beyond pests and disease, there are some other issues you may encounter when growing monstera plants.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow, mushy leaves on your monstera is often a sign of overwatering. When these symptoms arise, Garces says to allow the soil to dry completely and then reduce watering. You may need to repot your plant in fresh soil if the issue persists.

Brown Tips

On the other hand, if you start to notice your monstera has brown tips, you may be under-watering it. To remedy this, adjust your watering schedule as needed and only water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Too hot temperatures and too much light can also cause the foliage to turn brown, so monitor these conditions closely.