Greetings, human caretaker. I am your Monstera deliciosa, a proud and resilient specimen from the lush rainforests of Central America. While I have adapted to life indoors, I still yearn for the conditions of my ancestral home. To help me thrive and unfurl my magnificent, split leaves, here is what I need from you, from my perspective.
My relationship with water is delicate. My roots despise sitting in a swamp. In the jungle, my roots are aerated and the rain drains quickly. Please, only water me when the top few inches of my soil feel dry to your touch. Push your finger into the soil; if it feels moist, wait. When you do water, do so thoroughly until water runs freely from the drainage holes in my pot. Then, always empty the saucer beneath me. Soggy feet will lead to my roots rotting, and a rootless plant is a dead plant. In the winter, when my growth slows, I will need even less to drink.
I do not enjoy the harsh, direct glare of the midday sun. In my natural habitat, I grow on the forest floor and climb trees, basking in bright but filtered light. A spot near an east-facing window is ideal, where I can enjoy the gentle morning sun. A north-facing window can also work. If you place me in a south or west window, please shield me with a sheer curtain. If my leaves turn yellow or develop crispy, brown spots, I am likely getting sunburned. Conversely, if my new leaves are small and lack the characteristic splits (fenestrations), I am telling you I need more light.
I cannot abide heavy, dense soil. It suffocates my roots. I require a well-draining, airy potting mix. A blend designed for aroids—often containing peat, perlite, orchid bark, and charcoal—is perfect. It holds just enough moisture while allowing excess water to drain and oxygen to reach my roots. Furthermore, I am a natural climber. In the wild, I use my aerial roots to latch onto trees. Providing me with a moss pole or a plank to climb will make me incredibly happy. It supports my heavy stems and encourages larger, more mature leaves with deeper splits.
I am a tropical being, so I crave warmth and humidity. Please keep me in a room where the temperature stays consistently above 60°F (15°C), ideally between 65-85°F (18-30°C). Keep me away from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, and radiators. As for humidity, the average home air can be too dry for my liking. You will know if the air is too dry because the edges of my leaves may turn brown and crispy. You can help by misting my leaves regularly, placing a humidifier nearby, or setting my pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water (ensure the pot is not sitting directly in the water).
During my active growing season (spring and summer), I appreciate a little extra nutrition. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month is sufficient. Please do not overfeed me; it can burn my roots and do more harm than good. In the fall and winter, when my growth naturally slows, you can stop fertilizing altogether. I am resting and do not need the extra nutrients.
