Monstera Care Guide
Monstera plants are currently one of the most populair houseplant in the world, because of its beautiful fenestrations, size and different versions of this plant. Let's dive right into it!
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LIGHT REQUIREMENTS:
Monstera thrive in bright indirect light (they do best in around 4000 LUX), and as it matures and it is in the right light the plant will get fenestrations. Fenestrations are the holes in the leaves. To help reach full maturity you will need to mimic its natural habitat, growing on a tree (moss pole, coco coir pole, trellis or any other support pole), and giving it bright indirect light. If you grow Monstera in low or medium light, it will probably not get any fenestrations.
Monstera get fenestrations to let sun through to help the leaves in the back/plants on the forest ground to get more sun and be able to photosynthesize better.
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WATERING:
Monstera mostly grow around the continent of South America and like to be in high humidity. With the aerial roots wrapped around the moist trees, these plants thrives!
I'd say water the plant when the soil is about 10%-50% dry. In the winter you can let the plant dry out between waterings.
after watering, check the cache pot (or saucer) for any excess water. Monstera in my experience don't like to have wet feet for long. If plants are sitting in water for a certain amount of time, the roots can start rotting. Which is NOT something you want.
Since Monstera is a tropical plant genus, they do better in higher humidity, low humidity can cause discoloration on the leaves.
Keep in mind that underwatering is more treatable than overwatering.
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BLOOM:
Usually in the wild, Monstera grow long, oval shaped fruit, with hexagon-like skin. It all starts with a flower/inflorescence, which then gets pollinated by bugs, and then the inflorescence will turn into a fruit.
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PROPAGATION :
Propagating Monstera is a pretty easy job, take a sharp, clean knife and carefully cut under a leaf node. If the node has any aerial roots it would be best; that would be a head start when you are propagating. Propagating in water is overall the easiest, and fastest technique. If you are propagating expensive and or big propagations in water (For example Monstera albo, thai constellation, variegata, addansonii variegata etc) i will recommend using rooting powder, a heat mat and an air pump in the vase where you are putting the propagation in to ensure an succesful propagation.
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MEDIUMS:
Monstera's tend to thrive living in water and LECA! Personally i think well-draining and chunky soil is the safest option, but if your Monstera is in water, it will get the perfect amount of water and no root rot!
you will just need to add liquid fertilizer every now and then, and you are all set!
If you are changing from soil to water/LECA, you need to be sure 100% of all the excess soil is off of those roots! It can cause root rot.