Monstera Care FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Monsteras are beautiful plants, but sometimes it takes a little practice and study to care for them properly.
We hear a lot of the same questions from monstera owners, and we decided to compile them here so you can get answers!
Make sure to download our Monstera Care Cheatsheet for a quick reference!
Monstera Care FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Why won't my leaves split?
The main reason why monstera leaves don't split is because they need more light.
Plants use sunlight to make energy (i.e., eat) and they need that energy to support healthy leaf growth. Producing those big, beautiful, fenestrated leaves takes a LOT of energy!
Without sufficient light, your monstera can still survive and even grow, but the new leaves will be smaller and lack those incredible holes and slits.
Why does my monstera have brown spots?
Monstera leaves can get brown spots for a number of reasons.
One of the most common is root rot. These spots tend to be dark brown and show up on the lower leaves first. This means that your plant is over-watered and the roots are beginning to rot.
Another common reason is dryness. Make sure to water your monstera when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Add water to the soil until it starts to run out the drainage holes. (Your pot DOES have drainage holes, right?)
How often should I water my monstera?
How often you water your monstera depends on how much light your monstera gets, how well the pot drains, and the temperature of your home.
You should water when the top inch or two of soil is dry to the touch, which should happen every 7-10 days. If you're waiting longer than that for the soil to dry out, your plant might need more light or a pot with better drainage. Use a moisture meter like this one to know exactly how thirsty your monstera is.
Read more about watering your monstera here.
My monstera is huge! How do I prune it?
Pruning a monstera is pretty simple; they don't require a meticulous pruning process.
Monsteras are known for being huge! They can grow up to 10 feet indoors, which is taller than the average ceiling.
If your monstera is turning into a monster, you can do a few things.
First, you can prune it to make it smaller. Monsteras respond well to pruning and then you can propagate the cuttings! Here's how to prune your monstera. Be sure to use sharp pruning shears like these when making your cuts.
If your monstera is growing too much horizontally, you can also separate it into two or more plants. Here's how to do that.
How much light does my monstera need?
Monsteras like bright, indirect sunlight.
Bright, indirect sunlight usually means being near an east- or south-facing window. Put them in the brightest light you can find where the light doesn't actually hit the leaves, because this can cause sunburn.
As a rule of thumb, your monstera should never cast a shadow.
Read more about your monstera's light needs here.
Why are my monstera's leaves turning yellow?
Yellow leaves can mean a few different things: that your monstera is getting too much water and not enough light or that it needs nutrients.
If you notice yellowing leaves, make sure you are ONLY watering when the top few inches of soil are dry and that this happens every 7-10 days. If it takes longer, give your plant more light and check your drainage.
If your light and water situation seems to be okay, try fertilizing your monstera with Monstera Plant Food to give it the nutrients it needs to support beautiful, healthy green leaves.
How can I propagate my monstera?
Monsteras are tons of fun to propagate! You can do this by taking a cutting and putting it in water or through a process called air layering.
This post explains both of these methods in detail.
To propagate more quickly and with more success, we recommend using our newly designed Houseplant Propagation Promoter. The exclusive formula helps support strong growth and photosynthesis, and it protects new cuttings against bacteria and toxins that can cause new cuttings to fail. With this easy-to-use product, you will be able to clone your best plants more quickly, even tough-to-propagate species like fiddle leaf figs. It also comes with a free Complete Propagation Guide, which includes photos and step-by-step instructions. Click here to buy now.
My apartment has terrible light. Can I still grow a monstera?
You can, but your monstera won't be as healthy or grow as fast without sufficient light. It might also have trouble producing fenestrated leaves.
However, if your lighting is less than ideal, you can always supplement with a grow light. These are great for darker homes and in the winter when the daylight hours are shorter.
My favorite way to do this is to get a grow light bulb and put it in a pretty light fixture for an aesthetically pleasing light solution. Here's my favorite grow light bulb for monsteras.
You'll be a monstera expert in no time!
Monsteras are good at telling you when something's wrong, and they're easy plants to grow, prune, and propagate.
Make sure to sign up for our Monstera Care Webinar as well! With these tips and a little practice, you'll be a pro!
If you have more questions, click to join our community on Facebook: Monstera Plant Resource Group and chat with other monstera plant lovers!
To learn more about monstera care:
- Subscribe to our newsletter.
- Read our Ultimate Monstera Watering Guide here.
- Be sure to grab your essentials here: Houseplant Propagation Promoter, Monstera Plant Food, 3-in-1 Moisture Meter, Premium Potting Soil, Houseplant Leaf Armor (which protects your houseplant from bacteria, fungus, and insects—and also cleans and adds shine to its leaves!)
