Monstera deliciosa (aka the Swiss cheese plant) the ever-popular choice for every beginner plant parent is a leafy tropical plant with endless possibilities. With over 40 different species belonging to this genus, the monstera is a great choice for any indoor or outdoor jungle. Though care for these color-rich plants can be easy, first-time owners may encounter problems with overgrowth, drooping leaves, and other hurdles. But once those simple solutions are learned, the monstera can be a friend for life, arming you with knowledge and skills for other plants that may come under your care.

Why choose a Monstera?

Introducing a monstera into your space comes with many different decorative opportunities. With their large leaves and ability to grow quickly upwards and out, monstera owners have the choice of keeping them compact with light choices and a bit of pruning or letting them grow all out into their chosen space.

Care tips

• Watering. Water whenever the top 2cm of soil has dried out. Keep the soil moist, but don’t allow the roots to sit in water.

• Light & placement. Bright, indirect light.

• Humidity. Monstera prefers some humidity, but normal room humidity works just fine.

• Good to know. Give it a feed with liquid fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. Monstera plants are mildly toxic to children and pets if ingested.

Common care mistakes

Overwatering, underwatering, and limited pot space, watch for the signs!

The key to plant care is paying attention to the needs of your plant through a watchful eye. Monstera plants sport vibrant and deep green hues and their leaves tend to spread flat. If you encounter curling leaves or yellow hues it may be a sign to adjust light exposure and watering patterns (monstera plants like it light and warm but it’s best to avoid full sunlight). Monstera plants also love to spread out, so warning signs of an unhealthy plant: drooping, dead leaves, and limited growth can mean it’s time to repot.

Solutions

If roots become visible in the pot or your monstera has stopped growing, it may be time to move the plant into a bigger home. This solution may also do the trick for overwatering issues which can present themselves as brown spots and yellow or drooping/curling leaves.

Care tips for prevention

Monstera plants are native to Central America, so think tropical climates. Pick a warm spot with light sources from different directions if possible. Checking the moisture levels of soil is important to intuiting when it’s time to water or water less. You don’t want the soil dry or crumbly but the plant shouldn’t swim in water either.

Monstera and you

In the end, monstera are generally easygoing and forgiving plants, great for anyone looking to brighten their space. They also offer benefits such as easy propagation which means you could turn your monstera into more plant babies.