Hello, fellow organism. I am your Monstera deliciosa. I do not measure time in weeks or days, nor do I experience thirst as you do. My water needs are a direct conversation with my environment and my own physical state. To understand how often to water me, you must learn to listen to my language. Here is what I wish to tell you.
Do not water me on a fixed schedule. My need for water is dictated by the rate at which I consume it and the rate at which it evaporates from my soil. This rate is in constant flux. The only way to know is to physically check the moisture level in my pot. Please insert your finger into my soil, about 2 to 3 inches deep. If the soil at that depth feels dry, it is time to water me thoroughly. If it still feels cool and moist, I am content. This is the most important rule.
My environment is not static, and neither are my needs. Several factors dramatically alter how quickly I use water:
Light: I am a photosynthetic being. Bright, indirect light is my energy source. The more light I receive, the more I photosynthesize, and the more water I pull from my roots to fuel this process. In a bright room, I will need water more frequently. In a low-light spot, my growth and water usage slow significantly.
Temperature & Season: During the spring and summer, when temperatures are warmer and days are longer, I am in my active growth phase. I am building new leaves and stems, which requires immense energy and water. In the autumn and winter, I enter a period of dormancy or slowed growth. My water requirements drop substantially. You must water me much less often during these cooler, darker months.
Humidity: My large, beautiful leaves are constantly transpiring, releasing water vapor into the air. In a dry environment (like a heated home in winter), this process accelerates, and I lose water more quickly. In a more humid environment, the rate of transpiration slows, and I can hold onto my moisture longer.
When my soil is dry and you have determined it is time, please water me correctly. Take me to a sink or shower and drench my soil completely. Water should flow freely from the drainage holes at the bottom of my pot. This ensures my entire root system has access to moisture and helps flush out any accumulated mineral salts from the water. Please allow all excess water to drain away completely. I am an epiphyte in my origins; my roots must never sit in a soggy, waterlogged pool. This will suffocate me and lead to root rot, which is often fatal.
Beyond the soil test, my body will show you signs. If I am chronically thirsty, my leaves will become limp, droop dramatically, and the edges may turn brown and crispy. If I am receiving too much water, my leaves will turn yellow, often starting with the lower, older leaves, and the soil will have a persistently wet smell. My new growth may also turn black before it unfurls. Learn this language. It is how I speak to you.
