Monstera deliciosa is a stunning, large leaf tropical plant, recognized for the beautiful holes they develop in their leaves, known as fenestrations. Monstera deliciosa is the most common varietal found in plant stores around the US. Often potted in soil or water, they are easy to care for and an excellent choice for medium to bright indirect light environments.
When grown in water, Monsteras develop beautiful and healthy roots that can be fun to watch develop through glass. Given the right watering and nutrient schedule, monsteras can be known to live for decades without soil.
Native to tropical forests of Central America
Araceae
Other names for the monstera deliciosa include tropical split-leaf philodendron, swiss cheese plant, window leaf, Ceriman, delicious monster, fruit salad plant because of its edible fruit, monster fruit, Mexican breadfruit, balazo, and Penglai banana.
There are a number of beautiful monstera varieties, ranging in color and size. Some of those include the Monstera Borsigiana, Monstera Variegata, Monstera Adansonii , Monstera Pinnatipartita, Monstera Dubia, Monstera Siltepecana, Monstera Obliqua, and Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma or “Mini Monstera”.
Monstera are toxic to pets if consumed. However, mature monsteras will periodically product fruit which are sweet and edible to humans, though we've never seen one grow from a plant that's just growing in water.
For healthy plants, we recommend that you add water to the glass every 1 - 2 weeks (or if you see that water levels have lowered) to replenish the water that evaporated or absorbed from the plants. Then, replace the water every 2-4 weeks.
Most tap water works great but distilled or filtered waters are recommended if available.
We recommend feeding 2 drops of liquid nutrients to your monstera every month. In addition, when you see your monstera shooting a new leaf, we recommend adding another drop or to in order to support the plant growth!
Monsteras love bright indirect light. Find your sunniest room and place your monstera across from the windows and it's sure to be happy and grow!
Monsteras are a tropical plant. Ideal temperatures for them are from 65 to 80 degrees fahrenheit.
Monsteras prefer medium to high humidity but do will in most home settings regardless of humidity level.
Monsteras are a common plant to propagate because they tend to do so at a very high rate, are a fairly common house plant, and are easy to care for. Propagating monsteras generally entails removing one or two nodes, with attached leaves and submerging those nodes in water. Given proper temperatures and lighting, most monsteras will begin shooting roots within a few weeks any only continue growing from there.
On our Instagram page (@modernbotanicalshop), we post tons of cool information about growing plants in water. We cover an array of topics such as water propagation tips, new and unique plants we are currently growing in our homes, as well as some insights of growing specific plants in water.
Follow us on Instagram for more care tips for growing your Monstera in water!
Identification: leaves discoloring to yellow then eventually brown and die.
Cause: Insufficient light, lack oxygen in the water, or the monstera has yet to show roots.
How to treat:If the water in your glass vase hasn't been changed within the last few weeks, we recommend starting there. Additionally, monsteras like bright indirect light so moving your plant a bit closer to a window or light source could help as well.
Identification: Brown or black spots or papery edges
Cause: Over exposure to direct sunlight
How to treat:Move your monstera from the window area, ideally across the room from a sunny window
