Monstera – Care Tips
Monstera species, a genus of evergreen tropical vines and shrubs, originate from Central America. They are popular for having holes in their leaves, which has given them the name “Swiss Cheese Plant.” Interesting right? The benefit of leaf holes also known as fenestrations is a natural modification for their survival. They are thought to increase the amount of sunlight that reaches these plants on the forest floor by spreading the leaf out wider while using fewer leaf cells to support it.
They are easy-to-care-for plants and if you are a new plant parent, this plant is the right choice. You’ll always have a good spot for this plant in your home because monsteras are highly adaptable in terms of light needs. However, how to care for it is what you are going to learn about in this article.
There are certain checkpoints to growing a healthy monstera and below mentioned are some of them that one has to oversee when it comes to monstera care
Watering
You can water them every one to two weeks, but keep in mind, overwatering can kill the plant. The monsteras are plants that communicate with you so just watch out for the signs.
- Brown and crispy leaves indicate that the plant is underwatered.
- Yellow leaves indicate that the plant is overwatered.
It will be simpler to ensure that the plant thrives if you listen to what it wants. This plant is ideal for novice plant keepers since it alerts you when something is amiss. Additionally, you ought to confirm that the pot features drain holes that will support the growth of the plant as stagnant water will harm the roots of the plant. Rewater the plant whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry.
Sunlight
Naturally, monsteras are found on the ground beneath big trees in highly sunny regions and if you can provide the natural sunlight that this plant receives in its natural habitat, the plants can flourish well. In the summer, pay attention to limiting your exposure to direct sunlight to prevent burns on those huge, gorgeous leaves.
Soil
These plants need high-quality, porous soil that drains very well but also retains moisture. It also has to be nutrient-rich so that Monstera’s stems and roots can develop well from the fertile nutrient-rich soil.
If you want to make your own monstera-specific soil, you just need a few essential materials. All you need is a premium potting mix with perlite, some orchid bark and activated charcoal. You may also add some sphagnum moss for good measure. Just mixing up all these ingredients will give you a nutrient-rich, monstera specific soil.
Repotting
Is your monstera growing consistently and thriving well under the given conditions? If so, repotting your plant is required only once in 2-3 years. A monstera that grows well, needs extra room to expand as it can outgrow its present pot. Another option is to just cut back the plant to the desired size if you feel it has grown sufficiently and you don’t want it to continue getting bigger. As a result, the growth is controlled.
Propagation
Propagation is done to multiply the plants and monsteras can be propagated in both soil or water, but to provide room for the formation of roots, cut the plants at least an inch below their nodes. Given the right care, the roots should mature properly in a month.
The only thing you need to make sure of is that you only pick stem cuttings from healthy plants. One or two sturdy, robust leaves and at least two nodes from which to sprout new growth are characteristics of a good cutting. This is because monstera cannot be propagated without a node, a fact that is sometimes overlooked.
Overall, this plant is hassle-free for beginners since it will communicate its requirements and wishes to you. Its leaves will become brown and crispy if it is too dry, and yellow if it receives too much water. You can take care of the plant without having too many issues if you can read the cues the plant gives you. even if you have never cared for houseplants before. Order the best varieties of monsteras at www.dharmikgardens.com.
