Monstera deliciosa may sound like a spell you’d hear in a Harry Potter movie, but it’s the latest “it” plant for style-savvy home decorators. In more recent years, the prehistoric-looking plant has stolen the spotlight from the once popular indoor plant: the fiddle leaf fig, and for good reason.
But how can the monstera plant — considered a weed in some circles — have such an enduring popularity? We put it down to three simple factors:
1. Monstera deliciosa is so easy to grow – it virtually thrives on neglect.
2. Its glossy, Swiss-cheese-looking leaves make a naturally beautiful statement in any style of home.
3. They can be grown big or small making them the perfect indoor plants for both tiny apartments or large open-plan homes.
Sold? Here is all the Monstera deliciosa care tips you need to know if you’re looking to add the indoor plant to your space, or already have one that needs a bit of love.
Is Monstera deliciosa a good indoor plant?
The Monstera plant is native to tropical rainforests from southern Mexico to Panama so it comes as no surprise that it favours a warm, humid environment, making them ideal for indoors.
According to Georgina Reid, writer and founding editor of Wonderground, “Monsteras like shade, warmth and moisture. They’re quite happy indoors, and are rather hard to kill, in fact. Don’t bother trying to grow one outdoors if you live in a cold climate (less than 10°C in winter). They’re notoriously tough given the right environment.”
Does monstera like sun or shade?
In terms of care and maintenance, Georgina suggests placing your Monstera deliciosa in a well–lit indoor spot, with plenty of room for it to grow.
In terms of how often to water your Monstera, weekly or when it’s looking dry should suffice. Also remember to polish the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust in order to unblock its pores and allow it to breathe and absorb moisture better.
repotting a monstera deliciosa
When potting your Monstera deliciosa, plant in well-draining soil in a pot with drainage holes to prevent it getting wet feet. Monstera deliciosa is a climber in its natural habitat, using its aerial roots to cling to large trees, so you should provide it with some kind of stake or a trellis to support it.
A Monstera deliciosa typically outgrows its pot every two years. To promote growth, transplant to a new pot a few inches larger in diameter and depth than the old one as required.
Growing Monstera deliciosa outdoors
While Monstera thrive indoors, they are happy outdoors in the right conditions. When it comes to picking the perfect position, find the darkest, shadiest spot in your garden and your Monstera is likely to live a long and happy life there. Give your Monstera plenty of room to grow as they love to spread themselves out and upwards.
While it rarely flowers indoors, outdoors it produces flowers that develop into edible fruit that is said to taste like a fruit salad, which brings us to its numerous nicknames.
Other common names for Monstera deliciosa
Swiss cheese plant
Fruit salad plant
Mexican breadfruit
Split-leaf Philodendron
monstera deliciosa ‘variegata’
Although rare, this variegated species of Monstera deliciosa is becoming increasingly popular, loved for its unique and interesting colours. Its large leaves are treated to a unique green and white marbling effect, with no two leaves the same.
The irregular cream-and-green variegation means some leaves are almost fully white with green markings and other leaves green with white marbling.
PETS AT HOME?
Monstera deliciosa is toxic to dogs and cats. Find out what other popular indoor plants may be harmful to your pets.
SHOP THE LOOK
Brunnings Balas plastic pot in Dark Grey Cement, $42, Big W
Made from recycled materials, this stylish large planter is the perfect base for your growing Monstera plant. A sophistcated style that will look at home in any…well, home. It’s UV, frost and heat-resistent, so it’s perfect whether you choose to put your plant indoors or out. Measuring 45cm wide, it also comes in a range of other sizes so you can find one that suits your plant. SHOP NOW
Indoor watering can in Green, $60.50, HardtoFind
With it’s elegant shape and chic timber handle, this ultra-stylish watering can looks so great it will double as a piece of decor in your home. It holds just enough water to give your Montsera the regular drinks it deserves. Also available in blue, stone and charcoal colourways. SHOP NOW
DIY climbing indoor plant kit, $51, Etsy
In the wild, Monstera deliciosa grow aerial roots that wrap around surrounding trees and help the plant climb up towards the sun. To help them stand tall in your pots you can buy moss poles for them to wrap around. They also hold water and help keep the plant hydrated. This clever kit is perfect for beginners looking to grow their own indoor plants, and comes with everything you need, including a small plant, a moss pole, and potting mix. SHOP NOW
MORE ON INDOOR PLANTS…
How to care for your fiddle-leaf fig
How to care for your long-lead fig
Indoor trees: 7 large plants that thrive indoors
10 low-maintenance indoor plants you’d actually have to try to kill
WriterOlivia Clarke
Olivia started her writing career at Home Beautiful magazine, moving on to become the Digital Managing Editor of Homes To Love and Home Beautiful. She lives and breathes homes and interiors and loves nothing more than dreaming up new design ideas (big and small) for her own home. Being married to a builder means there is always a project on the go and most weekends are spent with a paintbrush in hand or perusing Pinterest for inspiration.
