Monsteras give a tropical feeling to your house and they are great houseplants to fill in the empty spaces. They are very recognizable plants with big and beautiful leaves that are adorned with dramatic hole formations. Monsteras are vining plants and love to trail over the pot or climb along a stake or trellis. However, as they are tropical plants, monstera plants can be tough to take care of if you live in a colder climate. Nevertheless, you can still be successful with these plants with the right monstera care. They're low-maintenance plants that are great for any beginning plant owner. So, how do you take care of monsteras? Follow our tips below.

Lighting Monstera Plants

Monstera plants is a tropical plant and thrives if you can give it the light it gets in its native environment. Fortunately, you can grow your Monstera just about anywhere in your house! It can withstand low light, but develops more quickly and dramatically in indirect bright light. However, intense, direct sunlight should be avoided because it may cause the leaves to burn. Use a Grow Light if you don't have access to a spot with adequate lighting for your Monstera.

Water for Monstera Plants

Because monsteras are tropical plants, they prefer to grow in damp soil, but not one that stays soggy or overly wet. For watering tips, water it as soon as the soil at the top of the pot becomes dry. You can use a moisture meter or your finger to check this. It's time to water your monstera plants if the top 5 cm (2 inches) is dry. It is also important to make sure the pot you are using has good drainage.

The first sign that the soil has dried out too much is the leaves will start to droop. Another sign that your plant is starting to dry out is when you notice brown and crispy edges on the leaves. Once you notice these signs, you need to water the plant as soon as possible, because your monstera is at risk of drying out. On the contrary, if the leaves turn yellow then you have overwatered the plant. 

Best Temperature for Monstera Plants

Monsteras prefer warmer temperatures, as well as humidity and plenty of indirect sunshine. Normal temperatures in your house are great for most houseplants, including the monstera. Temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for your monstera. It can't stand temperatures below 55 degrees or rapid temperature drops. In the winter, stay away from cold drafts and direct airflow from heaters.

One last important piece of information, especially if you have pets is that monstera leaves are mildly toxic to pets and humans as well. Ingestion usually causes mouth and stomach irritation, as well as the possibility of vomiting.

How To Propagate Monstera Effectively

Monstera has been one of favorite decorative plants which trend never goes down over time. This plant from Araceae family is well loved for its easiness to take care of. Monstera is a suitable plant for homebodies who enjoy activity indoors as the plant does not need a direct sunlight. However, it will be a case if your beloved monstera plant does not grow beautifully or overgrown unlike the way you want. To maintain its beautiful shape, as well as to fructify more monsteras in your room, you need to propagate it. If this will be your first time to propagate a monstera, do not hesitate! Be bold and execute the process accordingly.

Tools and Materials

• Monstera stem
• Blade
• Jar and water / pot and soil (selectable based on the desired media)
• Some confidences from you

Steps

When the tools and materials are prepared, you are ready to propagate your monstera.

• Firstly, on your prepared overgrown monstera, select a stem you wish to cut. Remember that you must select a stem that at least has one node. The starting point is important!
• Confidently cut the stem ¼ to ½ inch below the node, precisely on the internode (the section between nodes), by using your blade. The node is where the new growth will happen. Leave two or three healthy leaves on the stem.
• After making a cut, place the stem in your desired media: water or soil. For water media, place the stem in a jar filled with water. Make sure to make the node is submerged with water. Meanwhile for soil media, use a pot filled with perlite then place the stem at the center with the node buried in the soil. Then water the soil to moist it.
• Place the jar/pot under indirect sunlight.
• Then patiently wait for the stem until a new growth arises in 3-5 weeks (depends on the media).
• Lastly, after few weeks, move the newly grown monstera into a new pot.

Tips

• Time

The best time to propagate monstera is during its active growth which are summer or spring. For plant parents who live in tropical area, you can propagate it anytime as long as it is actively growing.

• Light

Monstera is best placed under indirect sunlight. Indirect sunlight is necessary due to matching with its natural habitat which is in humid tropical forest. That is why monstera belongs to indoor decorative plant.

• Water

It is recommended to change the water used to submerge the monstera stem once in 3-4 days.

The process on how to propagate monstera is relatively not difficult even for a beginner. The success of propagating a monstera lies on the starting point which is the cut below the node. Now, wish you luck to propagate your monstera, or you need a few more courage to do it?

Are Monstera Plants Toxic

Most types of Monstera plants are not toxic to pets or humans, however some varieties are able to produce a sap that may cause skin irritation and rashes. It is important to check with a qualified expert before purchasing a Monstera plant to ensure the safety of your family and pets.

If you are making importation of Monstera plants and these plants are allowed to enter your country borders then it is assumed that they are safe. What you have to make sure next would be the seller itself. Whether the plants are well-maintained before shipment is made. The maintenance are such as and not limited to; insecticide used, fungicide used, nutrition used and daily check for the plants.

The daily maintenance ensures that the plants are not hosting any diseases. Any plants can be a host to particular disease and that include Monstera plants. Common diseases affecting Monstera plants include root rot, leaf spot, bacterial soft rot, and crown rot. Other issues include nutrient deficiency, pest infestation, and cold damage. The pests on monstera plants include mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and scales.

These pests can spread disease and cause leaves to yellow, curl, and drop. To prevent disease, make sure your Monstera is planted in well-draining soil and watered only when the top inch of soil is dry. If you notice any of these diseases, isolate the plant from other plants and treat it with a fungicide or insecticide.