How To Take Care Of A Monstera Plant
You've probably seen them on your Instagram feed: beautiful houseplants with broad green leaves that have interesting holes and lobes. Monstera plants may look fancy, but they're actually relatively easy to keep alive, even for people who are new to plant care. By following a few simple steps, you can have a piece of the tropics inside your own home, too.
Both Monstera deliciosa and Monstera adansonii can be kept as potted houseplants. Commonly called Swiss Cheese plants, they feature either split leaves or large holes right in the middle of the leaf (via Martha Stewart). They're originally native to tropical parts of North and South America and grow as vines in their normal habitats on the floor of rainforests (via NC State Extension). The holes in their leaves, also known as fenestrations, help the plant capture more sunlight without becoming too heavy (via The Sill). As the plants grow, they climb trees in order to reach more sunlight. Some individual plants in the wild have measured over 70 feet tall.
Treat your Monstera like it's in the tropics
But don't worry about Monstera taking over your home. It won't grow to rainforest proportions, but it can still get pretty tall and may need support to keep it from getting damaged. In order to get your Monstera to grow big and healthy, you need to give it the basics: sunlight and water. According to The Sill, Monstera plants like moderate to bright sunlight, but shouldn't be kept directly in the sun. Keep your Monstera plant happy by making sure the temperature where its living is somewhere between 60-85 degrees with high humidity so it can feel like it never left the tropics.
Watering your Monstera should only really happen when the top layer of soil has dried out. Depending on the size of the plant and the humidity levels in your home, this could be as little as every 1-2 weeks. Using water that's been filtered or is at least free of chlorine will keep your plant healthy (via The Sill). If you're able to mist your plant or increase the humidity levels around it, your Monstera will appreciate it (per The Healthy Houseplant). Keep the plant in soil and a container that allows for good drainage and aeration, and you should be well on your way to helping your Monstera live its best life.