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If you are looking for a complete guide on Monstera Deliciosa Care, then you will find it here.
Monstera Deliciosa aka the “Swiss Cheese Plant” gets its name from the Latin meaning of “monstrous”, due to the size it can achieve (greater than 60 feet when grown outdoors) along with its peculiar leaf fenestrations.
With that said, make sure to leave enough room for your Monstera to grow, as it can QUICKLY outgrow its space. Consider using a moss pole to keep this plant contained and allow the leaves to grow large!
This Monstera is named Deliciosa because it produces a corncob shaped fruit that is, well…delicious. This Monstera bears fruit that is said to taste like a mix of banana, pineapple, and mango.
These gorgeous aroids are thankfully easy to care for and don’t require much. Monsteras are also very resilient and bounce back quickly if cared for improperly. We’ll cover in-depth what’s needed for the ultimate Monstera Deliciosa care.
Monstera Deliciosa Care – Quick Guide
Light: Bright Indirect Light (1500-4500 LUX)
Soil: Well-Draining, loose, airy soil
Watering: Water fully when top 2 inches of soil is dry
Humidity: Thrives in humidity greater than 60%
Temperature: 65 – 85 Degrees Fahrenheit
Fertilizing: Osmocote every 3-6 months, Fish Emulsion Diluted 1/4th Strength Weekly/Bi-Weekly
How Much Light Does Your Monstera Need?
Monsteras don’t require much light; however, this doesn’t mean you can set this plant in a dark corner of your house and expect a thriving plant.
Monstera prefer bright indirect light, similar to the filtered light from a rainforest canopy. Avoid direct sunlight unless you have slowly acclimated your plant.
We here at Aroid Wiki use a light meter that measures LUX levels to ensure our plants receive the appropriate amount of light.
We’ve found Monstera Deliciosa really thrives in the 4000 – 1500 LUX range, most notably in the higher end of that range. Indoors aim for a south or west facing window out of direct sunlight, or close to an east facing window.
Monstera Soil Requirements
Monstera Deliciosa requires well-draining aerated soil. You can use a quality potting mix along with some perlite to help with drainage and aeration.
However, if you want the best for your Monstera, you can make your own soil! We’ve had great success mixing up our own soil mix for all of our aroids.
Also, this may sound obvious, but make sure the pot you are using has drainage holes! You’d be surprised how easily this can be overlooked. After all, what’s the point in using a well-draining soil if the pot it’s in won’t drain.
How To Water Your Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera prefers the soil to nearly dry out completely before receiving a good soak.
Rule of thumb: wait for the top 2 inches of the soil to feel dry before fully soaking the soil.
Make sure to check the soil often during warmer months. They will require more frequent watering and is the best time to maximize growth. It’s just the opposite for cooler months. Water less often to avoid root rot.
How Much Humidity Does My Monstera Deliciosa Need?
All species of Monstera prefer higher humidity. For some, humidity requires minimal thought or effort; however, some are not fortunate to live in tropical climates with high humidity.
Using a humidifier is the easiest and most effective method of humidifying a room consistently. You can also use a water-filled pebble tray along with grouping plants closely together to create a humid microclimate. Aim for a humidity of 60% and up.
Monstera Deliciosa Temperature Requirements
Monstera is hardy and can tolerate a fairly broad range of temperature. They can thrive in temperatures as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit on a consistent basis.
It can tolerate temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods of time, but growth will be stunted if allowed to go for a long period of time. Also avoid sudden drops in temperature!
Fertilizing Your Monstera Deliciosa
Monsteras don’t necessarily require much nutrients; however, they thrive when fertilized during grow season aka spring time. Make sure to take advantage of this time!
If you want a set-and-forget-it fertilizer with minimal fuss, Osmocote Plus works well. With Osmocote Plus slowly releases nutrients in the soil , and requires you reapply every 3-6 months. Easy.
But, if you want to be adventurous (we like adventure), we find fish emulsion diluted to 1/4th strength used weekly/bi-weekly works amazing for growth and plant health. We prefer Alaska Fish Fertilizer Emulsion 5-1-1. Word of warning: it doesn’t smell great, but luckily fades away quickly.
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