Monstera care
Monsteras are climbing aroids from Central American forests. Given a pole to climb and bright light, young plants develop the famous split leaves.
Also called Swiss cheese plant.
Light
Bright indirect light. More light means bigger leaves with more splits (fenestrations).
Watering
Water when the top 2 inches are dry, roughly every 1–2 weeks. Let excess drain.
Soil, feeding and repotting
Soil: Chunky aroid mix: potting soil, orchid bark and perlite.
Feeding: Balanced fertiliser monthly spring to summer.
Repotting: Every 1–2 years; add a moss pole so it can climb.
Propagation
Stem cuttings with at least one node and aerial root, in water or moss.
Problems and fixes
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| No splits in new leaves | Young plant or too little light. | Increase light and give it something to climb. |
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering most often. | Let the top 2 inches dry; check drainage. |
| Water droplets on leaf tips | Guttation after heavy watering; harmless. | Water a little less. |
Not sure what you’re looking at? Upload a photo to the plant doctor in “What’s wrong with it?” mode.
Ask about your monstera
Questions gardeners ask
Why doesn’t my monstera have holes?
Leaves only fenestrate once the plant is mature and receiving enough light. Climbing on a pole speeds this up.
What do I do with aerial roots?
Tuck them into the pot or moss pole, or trim them if they are unruly. They do not harm the plant.