Plant Care Guides / Indoor / Easy Care
The monstera is the plant that launched a thousand Instagram accounts, and for good reason. Those huge, glossy leaves with their distinctive splits and holes are unlike anything else in the indoor plant world. It is a vigorous grower that makes a real statement in a room, and despite its dramatic looks, it asks very little of you. This guide also covers the smaller-leafed Adansonii (Swiss cheese vine) and Siltepecana, which need the same care.
The splits and holes, called fenestrations, only develop on mature leaves in good light. A young monstera or one in a dark corner will produce solid leaves. If you want the classic look, give it bright light and something to climb, a moss pole or a sturdy stake. Aerial roots are normal and a sign of a healthy plant. Tuck them into the pot or guide them onto a support.
Bright, indirect light for the best growth and leaf development. It tolerates medium light, but leaves stay smaller and the splits may not develop. No direct sun, which burns the leaves.
Water when the top few centimetres of soil have dried out. It prefers to dry slightly between waterings rather than sit in damp soil. In winter, ease right off. It enjoys humidity but copes with normal household levels.
Feed monthly through spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser.
Repot every one to two years in spring, moving up one pot size. Use a chunky, well-draining mix, a standard potting soil with added perlite or bark works well. A heavy pot helps anchor it as it gets tall.
Ask about availability. We keep a changing range of indoor plants. WhatsApp us to see what is in store, or pop in and we will help you choose.
