Hello there, new caretaker! I am a Monstera deliciosa, and I’m so glad you brought me home. To help me thrive, let’s start with where you place me. I hail from the rainforests of Central America, where I live under the shade of giant trees. This means I adore bright, indirect sunlight. A spot near an east or north-facing window is perfect. If you place me directly in the harsh afternoon sun, my beautiful, large leaves will get scorched and turn an ugly yellow-brown. If I’m in a room that’s too dark, my growth will become leggy and slow, and I won’t develop my signature splits and holes (called fenestrations). A happy Monstera is one with plenty of dappled, filtered light.
Watering is where many beginners get it wrong. I do not like to have wet feet! My roots need to breathe. The best way to check if I need a drink is to feel my soil. Stick your finger about two inches into the pot. If the soil feels dry, it’s time to water me thoroughly until you see water run out of the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot. Please, always empty the saucer afterwards. If the soil is still damp, please wait. Overwatering will drown my roots and lead to root rot, which is a serious and often fatal condition for me. In the winter, I drink much less as I am not growing actively.
Remember my tropical origins? I am a bit of a diva when it comes to my environment. I prefer temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C - 30°C). I really dislike cold drafts from doors or windows and blasts of hot, dry air from heaters or air conditioners. As for humidity, the more the better! The average home is quite dry for me. You might see the tips of my leaves turn brown if the air is too arid. To make me truly happy, you can mist my leaves regularly, place a humidifier nearby, or set my pot on a pebble tray filled with water. This humid microclimate will make my leaves grow large and glorious.
While I can get some nutrients from fresh potting mix, I am a vigorous grower and will need extra food during my growing season (spring and summer). Please feed me with a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month. Do not over-fertilize, as this can burn my roots. There’s one more thing you should know about me: I am a climbing plant, an epiphyte. In the wild, I use my aerial roots to grip onto trees and climb towards the light. You will notice these brown, cord-like roots growing from my stem. You can provide me with a moss pole or a wooden plank to climb. This support will encourage me to grow larger, healthier leaves with more fenestrations, just like I would in my natural habitat.
