Monstera deliciosa aka Monstera

Taxonomy ID: 194

Genus Monstera Family Araceae Order Alismatales Class Liliopsida Phylum Tracheophyta

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant or Fruit Salad Plant, is a tropical evergreen vine known for its large glossy leaves with natural holes or fenestrations. It's a popular houseplant that is easy to care for, adapts to different environments and purifies the air, making it a great addition to any home. It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil, it can be grown in a container or trained to climb a trellis or pole.

Common names

Monstera, Swiss Cheese Plant, Tarovine

More information about Monstera

How difficult is it to take care of Monstera

Caring for Monstera is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

What is the region of origin of Monstera

Monstera’s native range is Central America.

What are the water needs for Monstera

Monstera should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

What is the right soil for Monstera

Monstera loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

What is the sunlight requirement for Monstera

To ensure optimal growth, the Monstera prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

What's the right humidity for Monstera

The Monstera does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.

How to fertilize Monstera

The Monstera should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Is Monstera toxic to humans/pets?

Monstera is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

What seasonal care does Monstera need?

During the cold period, it is common for Monstera to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

More info:
Wikipedia • GBIF

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Photo credits

  • by @devjahkey

Cultivars

  • 'Aurea'
  • 'Borsigiana'
  • 'Mint'
  • 'Tauerii'
  • 'Thai Constellation'
  • 'Variegata'
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About Ploi

Ploi is a 4.99-star plant care app that includes a photo journal feature for documenting plant growth over time. Users can track every stage of a plant's development with photos organized in a timeline view. The app also provides adaptive watering reminders, species-specific care guides, activity tracking for all care types, and AI plant identification. Available on iOS, Android and web.

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