Monstera | Swiss Cheese plant
Monstera | Swiss Cheese plant:
Care of the Monstera (Hole plant)
Water
Although the Hole Plant requires little care, you should water Monsteras about once a week or when it is about 50% dry. Water the plant until it comes out through the drainage holes. Make sure to pour away any water that collects in the saucer under the pot so that the Hole Plant does not sit with its roots in the water.
In addition to an occasional sip, watering the Monstera is also part of the care. Why?
- To increase the humidity around the Hole plant (tropical plants like that).
- To remove dust from the plant (this makes photosynthesis go more smoothly).
Light and temperature
Monsteras like to be in bright, indirect light to partial shade. Direct sunlight can burn the plant. If the plant does not get enough, the leaves may turn yellow. Monsteras prefer to be kept nice and warm in a place that does not get colder than 15 degrees.
Houseplants | Small houseplants | Medium sized houseplants | Large houseplants | Cuttings | XL houseplants | Bedroom plants | Bathroom plants | Houseplants for kitchen
Repot
Monsteras must be repotted every 2 years , or when the roots no longer have enough space (squeeze your pot, is there almost no movement left? Then the plant has too little space). Choose a new plant pot with drainage holes that is about 2 cm wider than the current one and use well-draining potting soil. All in all , Monsteras like to be firm in their pots , so don't worry if you skip repotting.
Nutrition
Fertilizer is an important part of the care of your Swiss cheese plant. Monsteras should be fed about once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). They are not big eaters so follow package directions and don't overdo it. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots and leaves of the Monstera plant.
Prune and tie up
Monsteras can be pruned to keep them looking tidy or to encourage them to grow in a particular direction. Monsteras are also climbers so they will happily grow up along a support, such as a trellis or a moss pole . When pruning your Swiss cheese plant, make sure you use clean, sharp shears. Make sure you cut below a knot, then you can use the cutting to propagate the plant and grow new houseplants!
Cuttings
The Monstera can easily be propagated by simply cutting a piece of stem from the plant (preferably with leaves) just below a leaf node. Stick the cutting in moist soil or soil and after a few weeks the cutting will root nicely!
Typical Monstera problems
No holes in the leaves of Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa is known for its perforated, green leaves, but sometimes you will find a leaf without holes. This is usually nothing to worry about : they often produce such a leaf when they are briefly exposed to stress or when the plants are still young. If the houseplant is otherwise healthy and well cared for, you don't have to worry about one or two leaves without holes.
If you only see these kinds of leaves, try moving the Monstera to a more shaded area (they like that) or see if you can make any changes to the condition or care of your plant.
Diseases
The Swiss cheese plant is generally quite resistant to disease , but there are some problems that can occur. Fungal diseases such as root rot are the most common and are usually caused by too much water. Cut away the rotten roots (they look slimy and brown) and repot the houseplant in fresh, well-draining potting soil. Then only give the Swiss cheese plant a sip again when the soil feels dry.
Curled leaves
If you notice that your Monstera's leaves are starting to curl, it could be for two reasons:
- Too much direct sunlight: Monsteras prefer bright, indirect light to partial shade, so try moving the plant to an area of the house with less direct sunlight.
- Too little humidity: you may need to increase the humidity around the Monstera. Try to spray the Monstera more often or move the plant to a more humid area such as a kitchen, bedroom or bathroom.
Discolored leaves
A Monstera that is half yellow is usually caused by care errors:
- Overfeeding: Monsteras are not heavy eaters, so follow package directions and don't overdo it.
- Too much water: when the Monstera gets too much water or is left in the wet for too long.
Toxic to pets?
The monstera is poisonous to cats and dogs. If your pet eats any part of the plant, contact your vet immediately.