Monstera Deliciosa Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing a Monstera deliciosa:

Requires warmth and humidity; can plant outdoors in USDA zones 10 through 12.

Prefers partial sun or dappled light.

Needs acidic or neutral, peat-based, well-draining soil.

Use a pot with ample drainage holes and water regularly.

Give balanced fertilizer three to four times per year.

monstera plant

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

new monstera growth

Monstera leaves

How Much Sunlight Do Monstera Plants Need?

This evergreen prefers bright, indirect sunlight between 65°F and 75°F. Too much direct light in warmer months may burn the foliage. Add a grow light to encourage lush growth.

Outdoors, the Swiss cheese plant can grow in the full shade of deep woodlands and semi-shade of light forests.

What Type of Potting Soil Is Best for Monsteras?

Monstera needs an evenly moist but well-draining potting soil when grown in a container, ideally mixed with soil amendments like perlite and shredded bark to help with aeration and improve drainage. A mix of three parts indoor houseplant soil, two parts shredded and one part perlite should work well.

Grown in its native environment, monstera deliciosa likes lightly sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with acid or neutral pH.

How Should I Water a Monstera Deliciosa?

Water your monstera once the first few inches of soil are dry. Stick your finger in to test the soil, then water slowly and deeply until water runs out of the drainage hole at the bottom. The soil should not be moist all the time; it should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Limp and curling leaves are a common sign your monstera needs water.

During the growing season, a monstera in bright, indirect light might need watering once a week. In winter months, it may only need watering every few weeks.

What Temperature and Humidity Do Monsteras Need?

Monstera deliciosa grows best in temperatures between 65°F and 85°F. It can tolerate temperatures down to 50°F and up to 90°F but will stop growing at these extremes. It prefers high humidity, about 60%. To increase humidity indoors, add a humidifier.

Do I Need to Fertilize a Monstera Deliciosa?

Monstera Deliciosas need to be fertilized every few weeks during the growing season. To fertilize a monstera deliciosa, choose a balanced liquid fertilizer with a 1-1-1 ratio or a 3-1-2 ratio. Dissolve the fertilizer in water and give it to the plant in place of a usual watering.

How to Get Monstera Leaves to Split

Adding a grow light is one of the best ways to get monstera leaves to split into fenestrations. Give your monstera plenty of light, water when the top inch or so of soil is dry, and fertilize regularly to support its growth.