How to properly care for a monstera at home and possible difficulties

Monstera is a popular houseplant, easily recognizable by its large, intricately serrated leaves. This flower decorates the interiors of apartments and offices, but it takes up quite a bit of space, so it's primarily grown in spacious, high-ceilinged rooms. Monstera – a real tropical giant, which can grow up to 3-5 m even in home conditions.

Description of the monstera

Monstera is an evergreen vine native to the tropics. In the wild, the plant grows in the humid forests of South America and reaches tens of meters in length. A distinctive feature of the monstera are its aerial roots, which look intimidating in the forest. Thanks to these roots, the plant can survive without contact with the soil.

Brief description:

1. Monstera leaves are asymmetrical and ovate. They are set on long petioles and cling firmly to the stem. Young leaves are entire, developing holes over time. As they grow, the leaf blades become not only perforated but also dissected.
2. Monstera flowers are white or cream-colored, sail-shaped, and have a yellow-green center. The shape, color, and showiness of the flowers depend largely on the monstera variety.

After some time, the flower develops into a fruit in the shape of a large cob. There are varieties of monstera, such as the Delikatesnaya, with edible fruit.

This plant is heat-loving, therefore, in the climatic conditions of Russia, it grows only in indoor and greenhouse conditions.

Types

Botanists count approximately fifty species of monstera. Not all of them are grown in Russia. They are extremely decorative and have a beneficial effect on indoor air quality. Below are the most interesting monstera varieties, with photos, names, and descriptions.

Popular species and varieties:

1. Monstera adansonii. It can reach up to 8 m. Its ovoid leaves are covered with numerous holes. This monstera rarely blooms indoors. Its flowers are white and yellow, and their diameter is about 2 cm.
2. Monstera deliciosa (attractive, delicious, delightful). This is a true giant, capable of growing up to 1 km in length in the wild. In a greenhouse, the plant grows up to 12 m in height. The leaves are pinnately divided, and the flower is white and sail-shaped.
3. Monstera variegata (Alba). This variegated monstera species is artificially bred and is more suitable for indoor growing than others. The plant has variegated white and green leaves.
4. Monstera obliqua (oblique monstera) is a climbing vine found in tropical forests. The leaves have jagged edges and are elliptical in shape, appearing slightly wrinkled. The flowers are light-colored and up to 8 cm tall.
5. Borziga. This variety was developed by breeders. It has heart-shaped, dissected leaves. Borziga never flowers. The plant is poisonous and can irritate mucous membranes.
6. Perforated. The leaves are asymmetrically perforated and elongated. It blooms rarely. The flower height is up to 20 cm.
7. Karvinsky. This is a dwarf variety of monstera. In the wild, it grows up to 3 m. As the leaves grow, they become dissected and perforated. The holes are large.
8. Pointed. The leaves are shaped like an elongated heart. They are very large, reaching 0.5 m in length. It grows up to 3 m indoors, but flowers only in the wild.

How to care for a plant

Monstera is considered an undemanding houseplant. Home care consists of regular, standard procedures. This plant is suitable for those who have the time and desire to care for indoor plants.

Watering and spraying

This vine naturally thrives in high humidity, so don't skimp on watering. It's recommended to water it generously and frequently. The key is to avoid stagnant water in the pot. If water droplets appear on the leaves, reduce the watering frequency.

Watering features:

• in November-February the plant is hardly watered;
• periodically, the flower is sprayed from a spray bottle or wiped with a damp cloth;
• from time to time, aerial roots are watered or placed in a container with water;
• Warm and settled water is used for watering and spraying.

The plant is extremely sensitive to humidity. To create favorable conditions, it is recommended to mist the leaves once or twice a day. This is especially important in the summer heat, as if left untreated, the leaves will dry out and turn yellow.

Top dressing

Fertilize the plant from April to July. Fertilizing helps the strong and vigorous plant maintain its beauty and health. The easiest way to fertilize a tropical plant is with a mixture for ornamental foliage plants.

To prevent damage to the plant's roots, chemical fertilizers are applied an hour or two after watering. Fertilizing frequency is once a week during the spring and summer, then reduced to twice a month. Avoid fertilizing in winter, as this will weaken the plant's growth and weaken its leaves.

Lighting and temperature

Although this plant grows in tropical forests, it prefers well-lit rooms. However, it cannot tolerate direct UV rays, as the leaves will burn. It is recommended to place the plant some distance from windows, especially south-facing ones.

Monstera can be placed in partial shade without harming its health or appearance. In winter, the plant requires additional light, as short daylight hours are unsatisfactory. If the plant experiences a lack of light, its leaf growth is stunted and the stem curls.

This tropical vine loves warmth, but it doesn't thrive in extreme heat. The optimal temperature for growth is 18 to 23°C. In winter, it shouldn't drop below 16°C.

Pruning and replanting

This tropical vine doesn't require regular pruning, but it does need support to grow. To form a spreading, woody plant, the stem is pruned twice, once at the beginning of the growing season.

Read alsoProper care for orchids during flowering at home Orchids are a flowering plant enjoyed by millions of housewives across the planet. But beauty demands sacrifice, as caring for this plant at home during flowering is quite challenging. If…

Roots hanging in the air need to be rooted in pots, otherwise they will grow on everything they can reach.

The vine is replanted taking into account its age:

• up to 3 years – once a year;
• 3-4 years – every two years;
• over 4 years old – once every 4 years.

Regardless of age, the vine requires constant soil amendment. Moreover, the composition of the soil amendment changes as it grows:

• for young plants - a mixture of equal parts of turf, sand and peat mixed with humus in a ratio of 1:2;
• for older plants - leaf and peat soil, humus, sand, taken in equal parts, mixed with three parts of turf (1:3).

Place a layer of drainage material at the bottom of the pot into which the flower is being repotted. The planting container should be sized generously, as the plant grows very quickly.

If the plant is many years old and extremely difficult to repot, but the container is large enough for its roots, simply changing the top layer of soil is sufficient. Periodically, remove 5 cm of soil from the pot and replace it with fresh soil.

As the plant ages, it sheds its lower leaves, leaving the stem bare. The plant looks unattractive and needs rejuvenation. To do this, cut the stem back 30 cm from the top—the cut section can be used for propagation.

Conditions for flowering

Monstera rarely blooms indoors. Obviously, a plant growing in a humid environment doesn't want to reproduce in conditions it's not accustomed to. The fertilizers given to the plant contain nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth, the very reason for its cultivation. The growth of foliage always comes at the expense of flowering.

If a flower lover still hopes to see a monstera bloom, they must strictly adhere to all growing conditions—maintaining temperature and humidity, regularly spraying, watering, feeding, etc. Any omission can prevent the tropical plant from blooming.

How to deal with aerial roots

As the tropical giant grows, its trunk becomes covered in so-called "aerial roots." In nature, these roots attach it to trees, which it uses as support. They also serve another function: absorbing moisture from the air.

It's impossible to prevent the growth of aerial roots; they grow alternately with the leaves. The shoots can be camouflaged if desired, for example, by tying them to the trunk and wrapping them in moss. However, they should not be tied too tightly. However, spraying them with water is recommended—this procedure stimulates accelerated growth.

How to propagate

This tropical vine propagates by seed and vegetatively. The former method is rarely used, as cuttings and shoots produce new, mature plants much more quickly.

Cuttings

The cutting should have two leaves. It's best to choose areas that already have aerial roots—this type of planting material takes root much faster.

Reproduction order:

1. Cut the cutting and sprinkle the cut area with charcoal powder or regular ash.
2. Prepare a planting container. Place drainage material at the bottom, then 2 cm of peat moss and 3 cm of sand.
3. Plant the cutting in a separate container for rooting.
4. Cover the top with glass.
5. Moisten the soil and maintain the temperature within +20…+25°C.
6. When the seedling grows roots, transplant it into an intermediate pot.

Read alsoHow to care for begonias at home after purchase Begonias grow on the windowsill in almost every apartment. This plant is loved not only for its wide range of flower colors and shapes, but also for the beautiful appearance of its leaves. Caring for indoor begonias…

After 3-4 years, the plant can be planted in a larger container, which will become its permanent habitat.

By layering and division

You can propagate the vine during its next repotting, either by dividing the bush or by side-layering. In the first case, the grown vine is removed from its pot and the soil ball is divided into several pieces, being careful not to damage the roots. The young layer is planted in a separate container filled with soil. Side-layers used for propagation should have at least one leaf and aerial roots. They are planted in soil and grown in the same way as cuttings.

Read alsoKaoda Orchid: How to Properly Care for It at Home Phalaenopsis Kaode twinkle is a black orchid hybrid with a white lip. Despite its short existence in the "floral world," this heterotic hybrid has many subspecies and…

Tops

Cut off a top approximately 30 cm long from an old plant. Place it in a container filled with water, changing the water periodically. Over time, roots will begin to appear at the cut end. When the roots reach 10 cm in length, transplant the top into the prepared substrate.

Seeds

If the vine does bloom, there's a chance to grow a monstera from seed. The fruits produce about fifteen seeds, which are planted 1 cm deep in nutrient-rich soil. If the room temperature is warm—around 20°C—the first shoots will appear in about a month.

When young, undissected leaves emerge, the seedlings are transplanted. Subsequently, the young plants are replanted each year into a new container, larger in volume than the previous one. By the age of two, a young plant has 8-10 leaves. This propagation method is used primarily for breeding.

Diseases and pests

The tropical giant is hardy and strong, it rarely gets sick, and all the problems that arise during its cultivation occur due to improper care.

Possible problems:

1. If the leaves are small and not dissected, it means that it does not have enough light - the flower needs to be moved closer to the light.
2. If spots appear on the underside of the leaves, the flower is most likely overwatered – you need to reduce the amount and frequency of watering.
3. The appearance of brown spots on the leaves indicates a lack of moisture or a cramped pot.
4. Pale or yellow leaves are a sign that occurs when there is too much light.

Monstera plants rarely suffer from pests. The vine can be attacked by aphids, spider mites, scale insects, and mealybugs. To get rid of them, spray the plant with an insecticide designed for indoor plants.

Monstera is a long-lived plant that can become a permanent fixture in your home. It rarely gets sick and grows quickly, but it requires special attention from its owner. To grow this vigorous plant with its unusual leaves, you'll need to regularly water the plant, mist its perforated leaves, repot, add soil, and feed it. But the effort is worth it—this magnificent tropical vine can enhance even the most elegant interior.