Monstera Plant Care: How to Take Care of Your Monstera Houseplant

Whether you are a houseplant expert or perhaps taking care of your very first monstera, you may be wondering about monstera plant care and everything it entails. Thankfully, monstera houseplants are fairly simple to care for and are very forgiving, particularly for beginner houseplant owners. But what should you know about the monstera and how it prefers to grow? 

In this article, we will go over everything you need to know about monstera plant care, including where this plant prefers to grow and how to best care for it daily. We will give you some tips and tricks to best take care of your new houseplants as well as some common problems and issues that may need troubleshooting as your plant ages. Let’s get started and talk all about monstera plant care now! 

Monstera Plant Care: Light Requirements

Given the fact that monstera plants originate in Central and South America, they enjoy warm weather and bright light conditions. However, the average monstera plant will suffer if exposed to too much direct sunlight, as they tend to grow as understory plants in their natural environment. 

When grown indoors, your monstera prefers bright, indirect light for at least six hours every day. Depending on the time of year, you may consider supplementing with some artificial lights or grow bulbs so that your monstera can thrive. However, just make sure that you aren’t exposing your monstera to too much direct light, as this can easily burn their leaves!       

Monstera Plant Care: Water Requirements

Your monstera does well in levels of humidity and moisture present in its environment. However, too much moisture can be a bad thing for your monstera, particularly when it comes to root rot and root maintenance. While monsteras prefer to be kept actively damp and their soil levels fairly moist, you should always make sure that they aren’t waterlogged or too wet. 

Watering your monstera once or twice a week depending on the season is always a good idea. Be sure to take extra time to deeply water and fully drain the plants. You may also consider using a spray bottle or mister to keep humidity levels high in and around your monstera plant. If you notice your monstera’s soil drying out, this isn’t the end of the world, but make sure to water them sooner rather than later! 

Monstera Pruning and Repotting Requirements

One of the best parts about owning a monstera is the fact that they grow quickly and don’t have very high levels of care. However, they do produce new growth each and every year. They also have unique aerial roots that can get in the way of the average home. Pruning and trimming your monstera is a recommended part of owning a monstera plant, but you should only do so with care. 

Always prune your monstera plant with clean shears and try to only remove old growth rather than the new. When it comes time to repot, you’ll know it when you notice your monstera bursting from its existing home or perhaps sending roots out through the bottom of the pot. Choosing a new pot for a monstera can be tricky, but your best bet is to choose something a few inches deeper than its existing pot. Repotting in springtime is best, as your monstera plant is actively growing during this time of year. 

Monstera Troubleshooting: Common Problems

While monstera plants are easy to take care of, they have their fair share of problems. If you are worried about taking care of your monstera plant, especially if you are already running into issues, here’s a list of some of the most common problems associated with a monstera houseplant: 

• Wilted or yellowing leaves. Your monstera may not be receiving enough water if you notice it has yellow leaves or leaves that are dried or wilting. Make sure to water your plant more, or consider relocating it to a cooler spot in your home.
• Black or brown leaves. If you noticed your monstera producing black or brown leaves, particularly spotted ones, you may be suffering from root rot or over-watering. Cut back on the water and allow your plant to dry out fully before changing anything else. 
• Pests. There are a number of common household pests that may make their home in your monstera plant. Some of these pests include scale, spider mites, gnats, and others. A simple and gentle insecticide should help combat the worst of these microscopic enemies. 
• Air vents or temperature changes. All tropical house plants are fairly susceptible to changes in temperature, even in a controlled environment. Your monstera may be looking more unhappy these days if there are any changes to the indoor temperature of your home. The same could be said for a monstera that is placed too close to an air vent or heater vent. Keep an eye out as to how your plants are placed in your home, as this may affect them more than you think! 

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