How to Grow a Monstera Houseplant: What You Need to Know for a Stunning Swiss Cheese Plant With Fabulous Foliage

Monstera deliciosa, more commonly known as the Swiss cheese plant, is one of the most recognizable houseplants. It is a large-leafed beauty that adds instant interest to any home. This popular tropical houseplant has large, glossy leaves filled with deep lobes and holes that resemble Swiss cheese. This is where its common name originates.

The Swiss cheese plant is an evergreen vine native to the rainforests of Mexico and Central America. It has aerial roots that grow downwards from its stem. These roots easily reach the ground, giving the plant a vining tendency in its native habitat.

Monsteras can grow well indoors as well, but these houseplants with big, bold leaves need some special care to thrive. I’ll walk you through exactly how to care for a monstera houseplant and give you expert tips to help your plants thrive.

Planting

Plant monstera in a deep container that gives it plenty of room for root growth. Make sure the container has drainage holes and choose a rich, loose potting soil, like this one from Miracle-Gro that’s made specifically for indoor plants.

You can transplant or pot up an indoor monstera plants at any time of year.

Soil Requirements

Monstera prefers rich, fertile soil that drains well. It will not tolerate standing water. Choose a loose, high-quality potting mix and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Light Requirements

The vines of monstera grow under a forest canopy, so provide your plant with indirect or filtered light. Too much direct light can cause leaf scorch on their fenestrated foliage.

However, most home interiors are much dimmer than outdoors, so bright indirect sunlight is ideal for monstera houseplants. Place plants a few feet from a sunny window or add a sheer curtain to your window, if it provides direct sun.

Temperature & Humidity

Warmth and humidity are important for this tropical native. Monstera plants will benefit from cooler temperatures in winter, down to about 55 to 65°F (13-18°C). However, the Swiss cheese vine plant does not tolerate frost, so this should be considered before moving houseplants outdoors.

Monstera houseplants need high humidity to grow best. Use a pebble tray to increase humidity in the air around your plant. Or you can invest in a humidifier, like this one from Levoit, that will make all your tropical houseplants very happy.

Transplanting

Monsteras require repotting every couple of years. Choose a new pot that is 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) wider and deeper than the old container.

Repot Swiss cheese plants using a rich potting soil made of compost and coco coir to help with aeration and drainage. When repotting, make sure you loosen the roots a bit before placing them into a new pot.

These plants are top-heavy and often require support, so repotting is the perfect time to add a structure they can grow onto. A good option is to support your Swiss cheese plant with a moss pole, which you can get on Amazon.

During repotting, place a moss pole in the pot with your monstera. Lightly tie the stems to the pole with string or pantyhose. Be sure to mist the moss pole regularly to encourage rooting onto the structure. After repotting the Swiss cheese vine plant, water it thoroughly.

Monstera Plant Care

Monstera care is relatively simple, but if you’re thinking of bringing one into your home, consider its unique needs as a tropical rainforest plant.

Watering

Water your monstera when the top few inches of soil have dried. Water thoroughly, but do not let any standing water remain. Overwatering can cause root rot and kill plants. It’s always better to underwater plants rather than overwater them.

Cut back on watering frequency during the fall and winter when plants enter dormancy.

Fertilizing

Apply a standard houseplant fertilizer, like this one from Amazon, every couple of weeks during the growing season, from spring into early fall. This will ensure your monstera gets all the nutrients it needs to produce lots of big, shiny leaves.

Pruning

Swiss cheese plant vines can become uncontrollable if they’re growing happily. You can manage their growth by pruning. Remove leaves to control the size and shape of the plant. You can also remove any aerial roots that look untidy.

You can prune leggy monsteras any time of year, but it’s best done in spring. Cut back plants whenever they appear too tall or when aerial roots become difficult to control. This is sometimes a problem when growing a Swiss cheese plant on a moss pole.

Monstera Varieties

Monstera is increasingly popular as a houseplant, which means you can now find a few different varieties and cultivars. These are some of the most commonly available types of monsteras:

• ‘Variegata’ is a variegated type of monstera with cream-to-yellow coloring mixed with green. You can get a variegated monstera from Amazon.
• ‘Borsigiana’ has smaller leaves than other types of monstera. You can find the unique 'Mint' cultivar from Sunshine Greens on Etsy.
• ‘Thai Constellation’ is a rare monstera variety with white spots and variegation, though it's becoming increasingly popular and is much easier to find than just a couple years ago. Get a Thai Constellation monstera in a cute decorative pot from Walmart.
• Monstera adansonii is a different species that has smaller leaves than the classic Monstera deliciosa. You can find M. adansonii for sale from Lowe's.

Propagation

You can propagate monstera plants through seeds, stem cuttings, or suckers. But propagating via cuttings or suckers is most common.

Monstera roots easily by cutting. To make new plants, take a stem cutting with at least one node and one leaf. Make the cut about an inch (2.5 cm) below the node.

Remove the first leaf near the base of the cutting and plant the node in soil. You can use rooting hormone if desired, but this isn't necessary. Water well, allowing soil to drain out.

You can also propagate plant cuttings in water first and then move them to a pot once rooting has begun. This typically takes about two to three weeks.

You can also propagate monstera plants via air layering by wrapping damp moss around the stem at a small aerial root and leaf axil, holding it in place with string. Enclose this section in a clear bag and tie it off at the top, adding a few small air vents.

Within a few months, new roots should begin to develop on the Swiss cheese vine plant. Cut away the section including the roots and stem above and transplant into a new pot.

Winter Care

Reduce watering and humidity for monstera plants in winter and provide them with more bright light. Do not let temperatures drop below 55°F (13°C) or you risk damaging their tender foliage.

Common Problems

There are no significant houseplant pests or diseases associated with monstera. Root rot can be a problem if you let water stand in the pot or if the soil is too heavy to drain. As with other houseplants, watch for signs of mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, and scale.

Clean leaves regularly with a microfiber cloth. During cleaning, check for pests and diseases. If you find pests, use an insecticidal soap spray or neem oil spray, both of which you can get on Amazon, to get rid of problem insects organically. Neem oil also gives plant leaves a natural, glossy shine.

How to Make a Monstera Bloom

Monsteras are not likely to bloom when grown as houseplants. The constraints of growing indoors in a container often prevent monsteras from reaching adequate maturity to bloom. With enough time and the perfect conditions, you might get a monstera to bloom.

But their flowers are not very noteworthy. They produce an arum-like bloom composed of a spadix and spathe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Monstera Care Must-Haves