Our care tips: Monstera
The Monstera deliciosa hails from the tropical forests of Central America, where it climbs its way up trees. In your home, its needs boil down to two things: bright light without direct sun, a metre or two from a window, and measured watering. Water when the top few centimetres of soil are dry, roughly once a week in spring and summer, every ten to fifteen days in winter, then empty any water left in the pot.
It thrives between 18 and 27°C. This guide also answers questions about staking, repotting, and yellow leaves or leaves without splits. Do note that the monstera is toxic to cats and dogs. At By Charlot, it goes by the name of The Wild One.
Where to place your Monstera?
The monstera loves bright light, without direct sun. Ideally, a bright room, one or two metres from an east or west facing window, or behind a net curtain if the window faces due south.
Direct summer sun, especially through glass, can scorch its leaves and leave yellow then brown marks. On the other hand, too dark a corner slows its growth: new leaves stay small, without their characteristic splits, and the stems stretch towards the window.
As for temperature, it's happiest between 18 and 27°C and should never drop below 12°C. Keep it away from radiators, air conditioning and cold draughts.
How to water your monstera
Water your monstera when the soil is dry across the first few centimetres. The simplest method is to check with your fingertip before each watering.
- In spring and summer, during its growth period, allow for roughly one watering a week.
- In autumn and winter, space out the watering: every ten to fifteen days is generally enough.
Use room-temperature water that's low in limescale: rainwater, or tap water left to stand for a few hours. A quarter of an hour after watering, empty out any water left at the bottom of the pot: monstera roots can't bear standing water.
How can I tell if my monstera needs water?
Leaves that go soft and droop, with soil that's dry to the touch, signal a lack of water. Leaves turning yellow from the base, with soil that stays damp, signal overwatering instead: let the soil dry out for longer before watering again.
And what about humidity?
As a tropical forest plant, the monstera enjoys a humid atmosphere. During the heating season, mist its leaves once or twice a week or move it closer to other plants. Brown, dry leaf edges are often a sign that the air is too dry. Remember too to dust its large leaves with a damp cloth: they catch the light better that way.
When and how should you repot your monstera?
The monstera needs repotting roughly every two years, in spring, when its roots start poking through the drainage holes or circling round the pot.
- Choose a pot just a touch bigger than the previous one, 2 to 4 cm wider, with a drainage hole.
- Place a layer of clay pebbles at the bottom, then add a light, well-draining compost for green plants.
- Gently remove the plant, untangle any roots that have started circling, set it at the same depth as before and fill in with compost.
- Water generously, then let the soil dry out before watering again.
Wait a month before giving it any fertiliser. Then, from March to October, add a fertiliser for green plants such as Tropical Elixir every other watering, following the recommended dosage. In winter, skip the fertiliser altogether.
Should you stake a monstera? A monstera's stems are wonderfully theatrical, but their size can eventually get the better of their balance. As it grows, a monstera develops ever-larger leaves and starts sending out aerial roots, its natural way of hooking onto something sturdier. Left to its own devices, it may lean, sprawl, or simply struggle to carry its own weight. Staking isn't compulsory, but it does help the plant grow upright and show off its leaves to best advantage. A moss pole is ideal: it mimics the bark of a tree, giving the aerial roots something to cling to and encouraging larger, more deeply lobed foliage. Simply insert it close to the base, guide the stems towards it, and secure them loosely as they climb. In short: a monstera can live happily without a stake, but offer it one, and it will reward you with a far more impressive silhouette.
As it grows, the monstera develops heavy stems and aerial roots, those long brown roots that sprout from its stems. Don't cut them off: guide them towards the soil or a stake, they help the plant stand tall and feed itself.
A stake allows your monstera to grow upwards, just as it would in the wild. Tie the stems loosely, with a soft tie.
If your plant leans towards the window, simply give its pot a quarter turn every fortnight.
Is monstera toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Like many plants in the Araceae family, the monstera contains calcium oxalate crystals in its leaves and stems. If chewed by a cat or dog, they cause irritation to the mouth, excessive drooling, and sometimes vomiting or difficulty swallowing.
These symptoms are rarely serious, but do contact your vet if your pet shows any of them. Place your monstera out of reach of pets and young children. If you share your home with a cat or dog, take a look at our selection of pet-friendly plants.
Little worries about the monstera
Yellow leaves
More often than not, it's a case of too much water. Space out the watering and check that water isn't pooling at the bottom of the pot. An occasional yellowing lower leaf is perfectly normal.
Dry brown patches
This is usually due to direct sun or overly dry air. Move the plant away from the window and raise the humidity around it.
Leaves without splits
A monstera's young leaves are often whole. The splits appear once the plant reaches maturity and gets enough light: bring it closer to a window, out of direct sunlight.
Tiny critters on the leaves
Mealybugs or red spider mites can move in, especially when the air is dry. Wipe the leaves with a cloth dampened with water and a few drops of black soap, repeating until they're gone.
The Wild One, the By Charlot monstera
The Wild One is a Monstera deliciosa of approx. 50 to 60 cm, presented in a hand-worked 18 cm pot, which you can personalise with a first name, a nickname or a message. To change its pot without changing the plant, it's also available as a refill.
