Monstera Plant Care: Guide to a Healthy Swiss Cheese Plant
I grew up surrounded by tropical plants. My grandmother’s terrace was a little jungle full of greenery, while my great-aunt’s courtyard overflowed with ferns and Alocasias. My great-grandfather spent hours experimenting with different species, and my mom has always had a soft spot for leafy houseplants.
For us, plants are a family affair passed down through generations. But truthfully, I didn’t catch the plant bug until two years ago, when we moved into a new home. That’s when we started gathering information about the genus Monstera and learning Monstera plant care tips.
Our space is now filled with greenery: ferns, Alocasias, and Monsteras, including a Monstera Deliciosa, Swiss cheese plant, a Monstera Thai Constellation and a Monstera adansonii. With a few tips from my mom, who grew up watching my great-aunt cultivate Monsteras, we’ve developed an obsession of our own.
If you are interested in Monstera, this guide is for you. In it, I’ll walk you through everything I’ve learned about how to care for a Monstera plant, from light and watering needs to soil tips, propagation tricks, and solutions for common issues, so your Monstera thrives all year long.
Monstera Plants
What Is a Monstera Plant?
If you are new to the world of plants, the Monstera is adored for its dramatic, heart-shaped leaves that naturally split and curl into bold, tropical patterns. Native to tropical countries and the rainforests of Central America, this plant thrives in warm, humid environments, which is why it’s so popular in Southern Mexico, Cuba or Panama.
Growing up in Havana, I saw Monsteras everywhere: on my friends’ terraces, neighboring patios, and in public spaces. My great-aunt, an expert in Monstera plant care, kept her entire collection outdoors, and my mother and I still talk about the magnificent Monstera plants that fill the lobby of the iconic Habana Libre Hotel in Havana.
Why Monstera Make Great Houseplants
While Monstera can grow freely outdoors in tropical places, they also make excellent indoor plants in non-tropical climates. As you’ll learn in this guide on how to care for a Monstera plant, they’re relatively low-maintenance and incredibly rewarding. Monsteras instantly transform any space, adding warmth, vibrancy, and life to your home.
Light Requirements for Monstera Plants
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of Monstera plant care, and getting it right makes all the difference between a thriving plant and one that struggles. In their natural habitat, Central and South American rainforests, Monstera grow beneath tall trees, where they receive bright but indirect sunlight. That’s why they love bright spaces indoors. Too much direct sun burns their leaves, while too little light can make them sad, slow their growth, and prevent the signature splits and holes (called fenestrations) from developing.
If you’re wondering how to care for a Monstera plant in an apartment or home with limited natural light, don’t worry! Monstera are quite adaptable, and you'll have plenty of time to figure out the best location in your home.
A few feet away from a bright window (especially an east-facing window) is usually ideal. Oftentimes, Monstera will grow towards the light, resulting in leaves leaning in one direction. If you notice this happening, simply rotate the plant to allow it to even out.
If the only space available to you is a low-light room, consider adding a grow light during the winter months to mimic natural sunlight. Consistent light will help them grow beautiful leaves, and maintain a healthy, vibrant foliage.
Watering Monstera
When it comes to Monstera plant care, watering is one of the most essential steps. Monstera plants are tropical, but they don’t like soggy roots. In their native rainforest habitat, their roots grow in well-draining soil, receiving moisture from frequent rain and humidity rather than sitting in standing water.
So, how often should you water a Monstera? Typically, every 1-2 weeks is ideal, depending on your home’s humidity and temperature. During the warmer months, water your Monstera about once a week or every 10 to 12 days.
In the cooler winter months, you can extend that to every 18 to 21 days. Always check the soil before watering; if the top two inches are dry, it’s time to give it a drink.
Overwatering your plant can lead to yellow leaves, while under-watering may cause dry, crispy edges and drooping stems. The key is balance, keeping the soil slightly moist but never soaked.
Pro tip: My family swears by this trick. When it rains, collect rainwater in a clean container and use it later for watering your Monstera. Rainwater is naturally free from many of the chemicals found in our tap water. Monsteras love it! Filtered or distilled water is also a great alternative.
For an extra boost of humidity, lightly mist the leaves twice a week, especially if you live in a dry climate. This helps keep the foliage happy, just like it would be under the tropical canopy it naturally calls home.
Soil & Potting Tips
Soil plays a bigger role in Monstera plant care than most people realize. These plants are used to tropical rainforests, where their roots can stretch and breathe freely. Replicating those conditions at home is the secret to keeping your Monstera thriving.
The best soil for Monstera is a chunky, aerated, fast-draining mix that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged. Our go-to formula is one part potting soil, one part coco coir, and one part perlite.
This combination keeps the soil dry and prevents roots from sitting in excess water. Too much water is a common cause of root rot. Adding a little activated charcoal to the mix will improve drainage and maintain fresher soil.
Monstera prefer pots with ample drainage holes to allow excess water to drain easily. If your Monstera is in a decorative planter without holes, try using a lightweight nursery pot inside so you can lift it out for watering.
Repotting Monstera plants every one to two years helps encourage growth and keeps the roots healthy. When you start to see roots peeking through the bottom of the pot, your plant is ready for a bigger pot. Spring is the best time to repot, since that’s when Monstera enters its active growing season. When you upsize the pot, make sure not to go more than 1-2 inches larger at a time.
A rich, breathable soil mix sets the foundation for everything else in Monstera plant care, helping your plant grow stronger, lusher, and happier year after year.
Humidity and Temperature Needs
Humidity is truly the secret to a happy Monstera. Monstera love a warm, humid environment. Ideally, humidity levels should be around 60-80%, with room temperatures between 65-85°F (18-29°C).
If you live in a dry climate, like Arizona, Las Vegas, or New Mexico, your Monstera might need a little extra help staying hydrated. Dry air and air conditioning can cause leaf tips to brown or curl. To keep your plant happy, place a humidifier near your Monstera and mist its leaves every two days or so, depending on your home’s humidity levels. Grouping several plants together can also naturally increase moisture in the air.
For those who keep their Monstera outdoors in shaded patios or balconies, remember that heat and dry air can quickly deplete moisture, especially during summer. In those conditions, water your Monstera every 2-3 days and mist the leaves daily to keep them cool and refreshed.
Avoid exposing your Monstera to sudden temperature drops, as it can slow its growth. Monstera thrive in consistent, tropical-like warmth, so keep them away from vents, heaters, or chilly windows.
Balanced humidity and steady warmth are key pillars of Monstera plant care, ensuring your plant stays vibrant, hydrated, and full of tropical charm no matter where you live.
Fertilizing Your Monstera
Feeding your Monstera is just as important as watering. It’s what keeps those dramatic, glossy leaves healthy and full of life. A proper Monstera fertilizer routine replenishes nutrients that help your plant grow large, fenestrated leaves and strong roots, just like it would in the rainforest.
During spring and summer, the growing season, feed your Monstera every 4-6 weeks using a water-based fertilizer (a 20-20-20 formula is ideal). Always dilute it to half-strength to prevent overfertilization, which can burn roots or cause leaf discoloration. If you prefer a natural fertilizer, compost tea and leftover coffee grounds work beautifully.
My family has always relied on natural fertilizers to keep our plants thriving. They used to mix their leftover coffee grounds with water and use them as fertilizer. Monsteras love it. It provides a gentle boost of nitrogen that promotes growth.
In the cooler months of fall and winter, your Monstera’s growth will slow down. During this time of year, you can cut back on feeding to once every two or three months. Overfertilizing during this dormant period can lead to salt buildup, which harms the roots.
If you notice slow growth or pale leaves even during the growing season, it may be a sign your Monstera needs a nutrient boost. Just remember: less is more when we are talking about fertilizing Monsteras. Consistency always goes a long way!
Pro tip: Always water your Monstera before fertilizing; applying fertilizer to dry soil can shock the roots.
Monstera Plant Support
Monstera naturally love to climb. Whether it's up a tree trunk or along the side of a building, the huge natural Monstera plants found throughout Latin America are always climbing up a solid structure. As your Monstera grows larger at home, you might need to mimic this.
Using a bamboo stake, a wooden or plastic trellis, or a moss pole will give your plant the stability it needs to grow and support heavy leaves. A moss pole is often the best choice, as it will hold some water and allow roots to grow into it.
Tips for Huge Leaves
If you want your Monstera to develop those huge, fenestrated leaves that you see on Instagram, you might have to do some extra work. It sounds counterintuitive, but to get larger leaves, you often need to cut off smaller and newer leaves as they grow. This will force the plant to channel more energy to developing existing leaves and letting them grow larger, rather than making a higher number of small leaves.
How to Propagate a Monstera
One of the best parts of Monstera plant care is learning how to propagate a Monstera. You can grow new Monstera from cuttings and expand your indoor jungle for free. Propagation is not only practical, it’s also deeply satisfying. Watching a tiny cutting develop into a thriving plant is a very rewarding experience.
Last year, we saw this technique being used at a plant store and garden in Panama, and seeing the cuttings take root was so inspiring that we immediately tried it at home. Since then, we’ve successfully propagated two Monstera plants ourselves, and the process has become a fun and fulfilling part of our plant routine.
Water Propagation
Choose a healthy stem with at least one node, and preferably an aerial root.
Using clean, sharp scissors, cut just below the node.
Place the cutting in a jar of clean, filtered water, ensuring the node is submerged but leaves stay above water.
Change the water every few days to keep it fresh. Within a few weeks, roots should appear, typically 2-3 inches long, before planting in soil.
Soil Propagation
Plant the cutting directly into moist, well-draining soil.
Cover loosely with a clear plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse, which increases humidity and encourages root growth.
Keep the plant soil lightly moist and place it in bright, indirect light.
Note: If you live in a dry climate or close to a desert, like Arizona, Nevada, or New Mexico, mist your cutting every other day and keep it near a humidifier for optimal growth.
Propagation allows you to share your love for Monstera with friends or create a fuller indoor collection. With proper care, attention to light, humidity, and watering, your new plants will flourish, adding more greenery and life to your home. Learning how to propagate a Monstera plant is key for anyone looking to grow it.
Final Thoughts on Monstera Plant Care
Caring for a Monstera is more than just following a set of instructions. It’s about observing, adapting, and eventually creating a rhythm that suits both your plant and your space. Whether you’re a first-time plant parent or a seasoned collector, consistency, patience, and a little love are the most important factors you need.
Seasonal Monstera Care Tips
Spring & Summer: Active growth season. Water every 7-12 days, fertilize every 4-6 weeks, and ensure bright, indirect light. Mist regularly or use a humidifier if your air is dry.
Fall & Winter: Growth slows. Water less frequently (every 18-21 days), reduce fertilization, and watch for cold drafts. Keep your Monstera near a window for gentle, filtered light.
Dry Climates (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico): Place a humidifier near your plant, mist every other day indoors, and water outdoor plants more often, every 1-2 days in summer.
FAQ about Monstera Plants
-
Only in tropical or subtropical regions. In cooler areas, they thrive best indoors with bright, indirect light.
-
Usually 2-6 weeks in water, depending on temperature and humidity.
-
Most often leaves turn yellow due to overwatering, poor drainage, or low humidity. Adjust watering and check soil.
If this guide inspired you to create your own jungle at home, save it to your favorite Pinterest board so you can revisit it anytime you need those Monstera care tips.
For more wellness and natural focus articles, head to our Wellness section. We have guides on DIY air freshener, recipes, and much more. Subscribe to our newsletter and become part of our list of friends and family. You’ll be the first to hear about new tips and upcoming guides.
Besitos from the garden,
Laura