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 (1778 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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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 😍
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how can i make my monstera fuller? there's one one stem that has attached itself to the moss pole and started to climb. ive heard you're supposed to cut the plant down and add more light. but i'm too scared to try it since its already growing into the pole.
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NEW PLANT!! 🌱 I got a new plant from the garden center near me. A monstera Deliciosa. YAYY! I’ve never had a monstera before, though I love them and they are a popular one. She is little but I WILL get her to grow!! Advice/tips welcome!! #HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy
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New Monstera Growth This leaf came in very light. While it is the first leaf that I have seen grow from my own care, is this normal?
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What is the best blend of soil #Monstera
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I’ve had this Monstera gifted to me for a house warming, so since 3/2026. She’s doing ok but I think I could be doing more for her. She’s sitting in an east facing window getting lots of low morning light. I’m watering her with distilled water when she needs it, not too much and not too little. I probably am not feeding her as much as I should. I’m using Grow Queen plant food. I’m getting some fenestrated leaves but then again getting some smaller ones. Is this normal? Should I be trimming away some of the smaller growth? I’m not sure. This is her today after I good watering w Grow Queen and a good leaf cleaning. Does she look messy?
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Oops… Haven’t been paying attention to aerial root growth on my monstera for months and it’s also been a bit underwatered… Like 3 feet of roots grew all the way under my bookshelf (longways). Two other roots grew into the wall between the molding and the floor and I had to slowly pull them out. I swear I’ll repot you this year… probably… 😬 #Monstera #monsteradeliciosa #aerialroots #RootsForDays
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This is the plant I was talking about in my last post. Pls help Here is a link to it. https://
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Hello everyone! This is a monstera dracena plant. This has over grown and growing that Im not able to maintain in this pot and also when I use camera lens to identify the plant it identifies as jade pothos or golden pothos just because its leaves are pothos size and there isn’t a cut in the leaf (which would mainly signify as monstera). Any help in maintaining the plant is appreciated. I have tried repotting in other pot and it has grown as well. I have tried tieing it to the stick and other garden tools but nothing is working. And whatever I try this is not looking appealing or aesthetic to my eyes. Any ideas in maintaining the plant are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
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 1539
Fast grower 978
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.