House Plants

How To Care For Your Monstera Deliciosa

It’s no secret that Monstera Deliciosa is one of my favorite houseplants and I think it has alot to do with the fact that, I just get them. After turning 2 Monstera Deliciosa to 10 in less than a year (via propagation), I’m extremely comfortable with giving advice on how to care for this unique plant.

The key to successfully maintaining a particular plant and it actually thriving in your home is replicating it’s native conditions. For this plant, that would be replicating the tropical forests of southern Mexico, south to Panama. Now, I don’t expect you to go full on rainforest, but you can implement some simple techniques to get the same feel plus this plant is quite forgiving so you have at least that on your side.

For reference purposes, Lets get into some details. This variety of monstera is an epiphyte (a plant that grows on another plant but is not in a parasitic manner) which like mentioned above, is native to southern Mexico. It prefers a support so much that as a young seedling, it will travel/grow towards the nearest tree to attach then grow up. It is characterized with large heart shaped glossy leaves that will have fenestrations (holes) as the plant matures.

It’s name literally means “delicious monster” referring it “monstrous” leaves and “delicious” fruit. The fruit is widely enjoyed throughout Mexico. As an indoor plant, you don’t have to worry about the fruit.

This plant adapts well to a range of environment and care which includes:

SOIL – loose all purpose soil

LIGHT – indirect & bright

WATER – keep soil slightly moist but it can go up to 10 days between watering

FERTILIZER – responds well to earth worm castings and fish emulsion

TROUBLESHOOTING

  • Black spots on it’s leaf can be signs of overwatering
  • prone to spider mites and thrips
  • Small leaf output can be a sign of not enough light as well as leggy, stretched stems

SUPPORT

Because this plant can grow large, support is necessary to prevent breakage and it can be aesthetically (and functionally necessary) appeasing. Staking also proves to help this plant produce larger leaves. Types of support include:

coir stakes

bamboo trellis

staking cage

Also, It enjoys humidity and doesn’t mind being root bound for a while. As with any plant, keeping these factors in mind while gauging this plant’s needs in YOUR home is key to its success. Any plant care tips should be used as a guide to merely assist with learning the needs of your specific plant. Also, a lot of plants don’t make it. That’s okay as well.

Jasmine

Jasmine is your everyday multidimensional plant lover and new mama who loves black women and plants so much, she created Black Girls With Gardens! There are 3 things you'll find Jasmine doing separately or simultaneously: 1. Planning for BGWG 2. Plant Shopping 3. Doing both with her baby girl! Go figure!

View Comments

  • Thank you for this article. I have a Deliciosa and 3 Monsteras. The Monsteras are really struggling and my Deliciosa is showing yellowing leaves. After reading I see they need brighter light, more humidity and possibly smaller pots.

Share
Published by
Jasmine

Recent Posts

Best Types of Garden Beds For You

There are a plethora of garden bed types to choose from when you start growing… Read More

11 months ago

9 Vegetables That Can Survive The Winter

Kale   Carrots   Garlic   Collards   Lettuce Cabbage   Turnips Swiss Chard Spinach… Read More

11 months ago

How To Care For Your Alocasia Polly Plant | African Mask Plant Care

Light Bright, indirect light works very well with this plant. Soil     Water It… Read More

11 months ago

19 Kid Friendly House Plants

One of the easiest ways to add life into a room is with the addition… Read More

11 months ago

Step By Step Guide On How To Grow Herbs Indoors

Herbs are a tasty and fun way to enjoy gardening all year. They are great… Read More

11 months ago

Most Affordable And Best Raised Bed Soil Recipe No One Ever Mentions

Raised Bed Soil Recipe? Yes friends, all soils aren't made equally unfortunately and if you… Read More

11 months ago