Monstera Deliciosa Care Guide
Also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant. Monty the Monstera Deliciosa is native to the tropical forests of Mexico and South America.
LIGHTING
The Monstera Deliciosa is happy in most light conditions. This makes him a good beginner houseplant. A medium to bright light will be perfect for the Swiss Cheese plant but he will grow better in a sunnier spot. Keep the Monstera away from any direct light, this will burn his leaves. The Monstera makes for a great Winter plant as he won’t mind the lower levels of sunlight. Lighting-wise the Swiss Cheese plant pairs perfectly with The Rubber Tree and the coffee plant
WATERING
The Monstera Deliciosa is not a big drinker but does like to be watered regularly. Getting the balance may be tricky as he won’t like his soil to completely dry out or be too soggy. Every week check the first 2-3 inches of the Swiss Cheese plants soil and make sure it is dry before watering. Just like every houseplant, in the winter time you can reduce his watering schedule to a couple of times a month.
HUMIDITY
The Monstera is from a humid climate and will appreciate moisture on his leaves. To replicate the Monsteras natural habitat you can mist his foliage every 2-3 days or place him in a bathroom. Find out how you can increase your houseplants humidity here
TEMPERATURE
The perfect indoor temperature for the Swiss Cheese Plant is between 20-30 degrees celsius. As long as the indoor temperature doesn't dip lower than 18°C the Monstera Deliciosa will be happy.
FERTILISER
The Monstera is a fast growing houseplant our organic fertiliser or fortifying houseplant fertiliser. To promote growth use fertiliser on your Monstera every 4-6 weeks in the months from March-September.
REPOTTING
The Monstera is fast growing and will produce a lot of new growth over the spring and summer months. Repot your Monstera every year to give him more room to grow. Use our environmentally friendly peat-free coconut coir potting mix. To make sure he is ready for a re-pot you can check the bottom of the nursery pot. If you can see his roots sticking out the bottom it's time to repot.
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR MONSTERA
Dry or crispy leaf edges -The crispy or dry edges are a sign that your Monstera Deliciosa is lacking humidity. Increase your Monstera’s humidity levels by misting his foliage every 2-3 days, move him to a bathroom or group him with your other houseplants.
Drooping leaves - The Monstera prefers his soil to be semi moist without drying out completely between each water. When the soil dries out the Monsteras foliage will start to droop and this will indicate that he needs a drink. If the first few inches of soil is bone dry to touch, water your Monstera thoroughly. Pour out the excess water from your houseplants decorative pot or sit him in the bathtub until the water has been properly drained.
Yellow leaves - Yellow leaves often indicate that the Monstera has been overwatered. You can remove this leaf by cutting the stem at the base of the houseplant. Reduce his watering schedule especially in the winter months.
Slow growth or no new growth - If the Swiss Cheese plants growth slows down or stops completely, this could be a sign that your houseplant needs repotting or that he is not getting enough sunlight. Place the Monstera in a sunny spot where he can get a lot of indirect light. Every year check the bottom of his nursery pot for signs that he has outgrown his current home.
OUR TOP 3 CARE TIPS
Top tip 1: The Monstera loves to absorb moisture through his leaves so every couple of weeks gently run a damp cloth over the Swiss Cheese foliage to get rid of any dust.
Top tip 2: To promote growth use fertiliser every 4-6 weeks in the spring and summer months.
Top tip 3: The Swiss Cheese plant is a climbing plant and given the right conditions the Monstera will climb walls. Use a coconut moss pole to help encourage his upward growth.