Monstera deliciosa is a popular houseplant from the Araceae family. This tropical plant is native to South and Central America and thrives in warm, humid conditions. It has earned it’s name “monstera”, referring to the monstrous sizes this plant can grow in the wild, and “deliciosa”, meaning delicious, for the fruit it grows.
This care guide is specific to Monstera deliciosa care. For other plant specific care guides, check here.
| Name | Monstera deliciosa Swiss cheese plant, Swiss cheese vine, fruit salad plant |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight |
| Water | Once every 1 to 2 weeks (check that the soil is dry before watering) |
| Temperature | 68 – 86 °F (20 – 30 °C). Do not keep in temperatures below 60 °F (15 °C). |
| Humidity | High humidity |
| Propagation | Cuttings |
| Toxicity | Toxic to dogs, cats and humans |
Monstera Deliciosa Care Indoors:
Monstera Deliciosa Size & Growth
In their natural habitat, Monstera deliciosa can grow over 30 feet (9 meters) tall. Indoors, this houseplant will grow to 6.6 to 9.8 feet (2 to 3 meters) tall.
This large houseplant has beautiful leaves with fenestrations (holes), which help the plant stand up and resist high winds. Leaves can grow up to 3.3 feet (1 meter) long. The heart-shaped leaves develop more fenestrations as the plant ages.
Monstera Deliciosa Light Needs
Monstera are found growing under the shade of other trees in their natural habitat. As a result, they prefer bright to medium, indirect light. An East or West facing window is best because it provides enough light without burning the plant.
While Monstera deliciosa can tolerate low-light, it will grow more slowly and remain a smaller size than if it were to receive bright, indirect light.
Direct sunlight can cause leaf burn, which shows up as brown spots on the leaves. If your plant is burned, move it farther away from the window, or cover the window with a sheer curtain. Leaf burn is especially common if the plant is kept in front of south-facing windows as they provide very bright light. Unfortunately, the brown spots do not fade away and you have to wait for the leaves to grow out.
Rotate the plant every few days so that each side receives sunlight and grows evenly. Dust the leaves frequently so the plant can photosynthesize.
Monstera Deliciosa Watering
Monstera like moist (but not soaking wet) soil. Before watering, check that the top few inches of soil are dry to avoid over watering. Over watering leads to root rot.
Pour the water on the soil at the base of the plant until it is moist. Make sure that water does not sit on the leaves for too long because that can lead to rot. If you do get some water on these areas, wipe it off with a tissue.
If there is a saucer under the pot, empty out the water that collects to prevent root rot.
Water your Monstera about once every one to two weeks and adjust the frequency as needed based on your environmental conditions. If you notice the soil remains very wet for days, decrease your watering frequency and add more perlite to the soil to increase drainage.
Remember: Monstera plants in hotter temperatures or in bright light require more frequent watering than those in cooler temperatures or low light.
Check out this Monstera watering guide for more information.
Monstera Deliciosa Soil
Monstera deliciosa should be potted in a well-draining houseplant potting soil. Add perlite and orchid bark to the soil to create a well-draining soil that reduces the risk of root rot.
Monstera Deliciosa Temperature
Monstera deliciosa thrive in temperatures between 68 – 86 °F (20 – 30 °C). Avoid keeping the plant in temperatures lower than 60 °F (15 °C).
Since this houseplant is native to the rainforests, it enjoys high humidity. A humidifier helps keep your plant happy if the surrounding air is dry, especially during the winter.
Keep the plant away from air-conditioning vents or heaters as they dry up the surrounding air.
Repotting Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa prefer to be pot-bound, so they only need to be repotted once every two to three years. You should repot when you notice roots poking through the soil, or the growth has slowed down significantly.
Choose a terracotta pot with a drainage hole for good airflow and to prevent over watering.
How to Repot
Choose a pot that is a one to two inches larger in diameter than the current one. Do not choose a pot that is too large because the excess soil retains too much water and drown the roots.
Carefully remove the plant from the old pot and loosen the soil from the roots. With a clean pair of garden shears or scissors, prune any rotten or damaged roots. Fill the new pot with fresh, well-draining potting soil and secure the houseplant in place. Wait a week after repotting before watering again to give the plant time to settle in it’s new home.
Fertilizing Monstera Deliciosa
Fertilize once a month during the growing season from April to September with a diluted fertilizer.
Be careful not to over fertilize because it can lead to salt buildup and burn the roots. If you notice salt buildup, avoid fertilizing for a few months, and thoroughly water the plant to flush out the salts.
Monstera Deliciosa Propagation
Monstera deliciosa can be propagated by cuttings. Propagation is especially helpful if your plant has grown large and needs to be shaped up.
- With clean scissors, take a stem cutting with several nodes or leaves. Aerial roots are also helpful on the stem cutting (but not necessary).
- Fill a vase with room temperature water. Place the new cutting in the vase and let it sit for a few weeks. Keep the vase in a warm area with indirect light to help promote growth.
- Change the water out frequently.
- Once there is new growth, such as new roots and leaves, transfer your cutting to a small pot and care for the plant as normal.
It takes a while for growth to come up, so be patient! Bear in mind your cutting may be slower to grow in the winter when the plant is dormant.
Monstera Deliciosa Toxicity
Unfortunately the Monstera deliciosa is toxic to pets and children because it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can lead to gastrointestinal irritation if eaten. Keep the plant out of reach and wear gloves when handling to avoid skin irritation.
Common Monstera Deliciosa Care Problems
1. Infestation by pests
Signs of infestation include:
- Cotton-white webbing
- Yellow spots
- Misshaped new growth
- Black spots or mold like substance
If you suspect your Monstera deliciosa has pests, quarantine it so the infestation does not spread to any neighboring plants.
Wash the plant in the sink under a strong stream of water with an insecticidal soap. Spray the plant with rubbing alcohol or diluted neem oil.
Continue to spray once every three to four days until all signs of the infestation are gone, which may take several weeks.
2. Monstera deliciosa leaves turning brown and crispy at the edges
This is due to an under watered, thirsty plant. You may need to increase your watering frequency if you notice the leaves appear this way.
Dry air can also lead to crispy leaves. Increase humidity around the plant by placing a humidifier nearby, or misting the soil frequently with a spray bottle.
3. Monstera deliciosa leaves turning yellow
If a few of the bottom leaves are turning yellow, this is a natural aging process of the plant and nothing has to be done.
However, if many leaves are yellow or the plant appears unhealthy, it could signal a problem.
Common causes of Monstera leaves turning yellow include:
- Over watering: If the leaves or stems are limp and mushy, the plant may be over watered. Remove the plant from it’s soil and cut off any rotten roots (they are black and slimy). If the rot has progressed into the stem, cut off the stem until you have clean tissue without any signs of rot. Plant in fresh, well-draining soil and avoid watering for several weeks while the plant recovers.
- Insufficient light: Low light can lead to yellow leaves. Take note of how much light your Monstera is receiving and adjust it’s position accordingly.
- Nutrient deficiency: Fertilize once a month from April to September.
- Transplant shock: Yellow leaves due to transplant shock is likely if you recently repotted your Monstera or brought it home from the nursery. Give the plant time to adjust to it’s new environment.
- Pests: Check closely or signs of pests, then follow the above steps to remove them.
Check here for a complete guide to yellow Monstera leaves.
3. Limp and drooping leaves
- Under watering: If the top layer of soil is dry, give the plant a good watering and it should perk up within a day or two.
- Over watering can also lead to leaf droop. If the soil is soaking to touch, allow the Monstera to dry out completely.
- Dry air: As tropical plants, Monstera appreciate humid environments.
4. Black spots on Monstera leaves
Black spots on Monstera leaves may be due to any of the following:
- Over watering
- Under watering
- Sun burn
- Low humidity
- Disease
- Improper fertilization
For more information, check out this article about Black Spots on Monstera
In summary for Monstera deliciosa care…
Monstera deliciosa are easy going houseplants that are great for beginner gardeners. Keep your deliciosa somewhere with bright indirect light and high humidity, water when the soil is dry and it will thrive!
Have more questions about Monstera deliciosa propagation and care? Let me know in the comments below!
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