Today on Calyx Talks House Plants: Monstera. This gorgeous house plant is stylish and trending big time! If you have a Monstera at home and need some tips, or are considering if this plant is a good choice for you, this post is for you!

The Monstera deliciosa is known for its beautiful, waxy heart-shaped leaves with interesting perforations. It is often confused for a Split-Leaf Philodendron, however, they really are quite different.

Philodendrons in general are a bit easier to grow and require less light. The Monstera plant, thrives on low-medium indirect light. In fact, the monstera needs enough light in order to produce that dramatic split leaf pattern! So make sure to place this plant in a room with a window but avoid direct sunlight.

Be careful about over-watering your monstera. Allow the top of the soil to dry out between watering but don’t let the soil completely dry out! It’s a delicate balance! One way to test the soil is to gently poke your finger into the top of the soil about two knuckles deep. If the soil is moist, hold off on watering but if it is dry go ahead and give your plant a drink. If you aren’t sure, a water meter is a great tool to ensure your plant is getting an appropriate amount of water. We have them available in store 🙂

Make sure your plant has proper drainage, either with drainage holes in the container or rocks at the bottom of your pot. Plan on watering weekly to every other week in the summer and every few weeks in the winter. It’s better to under-water than to over-water! Your plant will tell you if it’s getting too much or not enough. Signs your monstera is over-watered: yellow leaves, dark brown spots on leaves, mushy stems, mold. Signs your plant is under-watered: drooping leaves, wrinkled or crispy leaves, yellowing with dry brown spots, soil pulling from the edge of the pot.

Another tip is to keep the leaves free from dust by regularly cleaning them. In nature, the rain would naturally clean off the leaves but house plants need some extra care. Gently rub a damp cloth over all of the leaves to keep them shiny and looking their best. I tend to do this on watering day to best mimic rainfall. This simple task helps with photosynthesis!

This may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but don’t let that scare you! Once you get the hang of it, the monstera is fairly easy to take care of and is quite forgiving in the mean time! While it may not be the best plant for beginners, it makes a great addition to your plant family once you’re a dedicated plant parent!

Note that this plant can be toxic to cats and dogs so be aware of that if you plan on purchasing this specific house plant.