Monstera
Kiersten Rankel
Kiersten lives in New Orleans, LA and graduated with her masters degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University in 2019.
She has conducted or assisted on research studies covering trees such as the bald cypress, swamp maple, and water tupelo, as well as important marsh grasses including Juncus, Spartina, and Phragmites.
Kiersten is a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist and regularly volunteers with local community gardens and nonprofits to help restore critical ecosystems along the Gulf Coast.
4.8 out of 5 (1777 experiences)
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
About Monstera
Monstera deliciosa is a species of flowering plant native to the tropical rainforests of southern Mexico down to Colombia. Both the root and leaf have a long history of use in traditional medicine. In Mexico, a leaf or root infusion is taken daily to relieve arthritis. In Martinique, the root is used in remedies for snakebites. 🤒 The holes in Monstera leaves let water drip close to the roots, and they absorb the scattered beams of sunlight that make it down through the forest canopy. Their fruit also tastes like a mix of pineapple and banana! 🍍🍌
Taxonomy
Monstera deliciosa
Monstera
Araceae
Alismatales
Also known as
Swiss Cheese Plant and Philodendron Monstera
How to care for Monstera
How often to water your Monstera
every 9
Monstera needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9
Finding light for Monstera in your home
a window
Monstera may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Monstera in your home 🏡.
How to fertilize Monstera
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Monstera after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
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Dots and leaf damage Monstera I know have thrips, but is this damage from something else? Like a fungus? I have started treating the thrips but am unsure if there is anything else. Some of the leaves got burnt during a heatwave, but I think there is other damage. Dots are even on brand new leaves. #Monstera
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What’s happening with her? A few months back I was repotting my monstera and she broke into 4 parts. Flash forwards to today, 3 of the 4 parts are thriving but the last one is just not doing well. The stem seems to be shriveled. Can anyone help me out?? #GregGang #Greggers #TheThread #help #Monstera
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My leaves keep turning yellow #Monstera
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Hi guys, I’m trying to figure out. Why does my plant have white specs on it?  #Monstera
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Over watered, under watered, what’s going on? Re-potted about 2 months ago. #Monstera
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New (ish) Monstera I made a post earlier weeks ago about my brand new Monstera but now it’s super super healthy and I think that the watering has been very good because it’s growing a new leaf. Not a small one, either. I’ll show pictures. It’s a few more days ahead because I’ve been procrastinating to make this post (lol!). I will put some pics so please check those, too. Random question, but is there anything I have to change to my thriving monstera because of this. Also another random question but I need some confirmation from the MONSTERA EXPERTS! Is this plant facing the correct way? ✅ Bye! 🏷️ in comments. #TheWateringHole
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Should i be worried? #Monstera I got this baby 2 weeks ago. I saw the soil was so wet so i decided to repot it to a chunky mix and add the moss pole after a week. I haven’t watered it yet since then nor the moss pole. Just today I saw this leaf dropping and decided to cut it because the visible end was black and mushy. I haven’t check under the soil yet. Should I be worried?
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What's going on with this rogue root? #Monstera
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This beautiful discoloration appeared on my monstera deliciosa leaf almost 4 weeks ago. When I first saw it I said “WOW THAT IS BEAUTIFUL” until I quickly remembered my deliciosa is not veriagated😭 I got very nervous for her. Here we are almost 4 weeks later- the patch has not changed size or color, the leaves are still beautifully glossy and firm, no brown edges or crispy tips, no wet tissue, and is actively growing and completely attached to the moss pole with aerial roots. My research told me this can happen for a multitude of reasons, and also that the leaf could basically be unbothered even with that spot. Ever seen or heard of that before? I don’t knew what caused it, but I’m gonna take it as luck. Because I personally think it’s beautiful🤷♂️ Hopefully she stays with me:) I shall update #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #NewGrowth #PropagationStation #SucculentLove #PlantTherapy #GrowLights #NewPlantMom #MonsteraMonday #PlantCorner
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Just an appreciation post. Her new leaf is hardening of beautifully! Still some new Rust spore growth on the leaves (which I’m actively taking care of) But nothing on the newest leafs:) She’s a stunner 😍
Care Summary for Monstera
Monstera
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 9 days
Placement
< 3ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Large, lush leaves 1538
Fast grower 977
Survivor 718
Easy to propagate 511
Browns easily 129
Blooms easily 96
Pest magnet 46
04/09/2022
-Needs drainage
-Moss poles make it grow quickly
-likes bright indirect
Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate
Fast grower
04/07/2022
Don’t over water…. Let dry out between watering a bit and don’t put in direct sunlight
Large, lush leaves
Browns easily
03/30/2022
Great and beautiful plant!
Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate
03/22/2022
They are stunningly gorgeous and can be a centerpiece of any room. We’ve put ours through so much and they are still ticking, even when we thought there is no hope. They require some care, but fully worth every effort.
Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate
Survivor
Fast grower
03/19/2022
My favorite plant! 💕🪴
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Survivor
03/13/2022
This plant is easy to care for, I follow the water recommendations from the App and I haven’t had any problems.
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
03/09/2022
Love my Monsteras! Always fun to see how the new leaves will unroll!!
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Blooms easily
03/06/2022
I love this plant. I really don’t do anything special to her. I just let her be and water when she is half way dry. Seems to like being next to my east facing window. I love her lush green leaves.
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
02/27/2022
Beautiful lush green leaves!
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
02/26/2022
Get a humidifier
Large, lush leaves
02/24/2022
Such a lovely plant, excited to watch it grow. Easy to care for just water once soil dry.
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
Survivor
02/22/2022
Big but can be trained vertically if you stay on it as it grows. Build yourself a big moss pole. Plan for 6 ft. Can get brown tips if you are not regular with your watering but reasonably robust. Likes light a grow light over head works though I’ve had reasonable success with an “up light” grow light.
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate
Survivor
02/19/2022
10/10
Large, lush leaves
Blooms easily
Fast grower
02/15/2022
It’s a beautiful, long, lush plant. It’s not too finicky and fills my space perfectly
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
02/06/2022
Monstera's are happy, until they're not. 😅 Definitely not a fan of Summer heatwaves and no air con. 🙅🏼♂️
Large, lush leaves
02/06/2022
so pretty 😩
Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate
Browns easily
02/06/2022
so pretty 😩
Large, lush leaves
Easy to propagate
Browns easily
02/04/2022
Just a great plant ;);)
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Survivor
02/04/2022
Get a grow light and watch this baby grow!!!
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
02/03/2022
I love this plant that much that I actually have 3!!! Hoping to grow them over time and propagate more to share with loved ones as these can be expensive where I live!!
Large, lush leaves
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
Survivor
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Greg’s plant care information is derived from first-principles biology and physics and supported by peer-reviewed research, academic institutions, and industry experts. We are committed to providing the highest-quality plant care information available, so if you have any concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to our support.
- Plants for a Future. “Plant Database.” pfaf.org. N.p., n.d. Web.
- Encyclopedia of Life. “Encyclopedia of Life.” eol.org. N.p., n.d. Web.