You may hear me talk about Mr. Swiss & Mrs. Swiss in my insta-stories. I refer to our two Monstera Deliciosa, AKA: Swiss Cheese Plants.

I love these plants because they are a great statement piece for our living room & bedroom, are easy to care for, and have beautiful yet peculiar-looking slits & splits in their dark green leaves. I purchased two Monstera plants online, but you could probably find one at a local nursery if you cannot accept packages via post.

The Monstera deliciosa is native to the rainforests of Central America & Mexico but will do just fine in your home given the proper care & (minimal) attention.

Quick Tips: Caring for Your Monstera Deliciosa

Watering Your Monstera

I have had great success with our Swiss Cheese Plants, but the most common problem I hear from friends is yellowing leaves. Yellowing leaves could be a symptom of overwatering. So make sure you do not kill it with kindness by giving your Swiss too much water.

I just sink my fingers into the soil about two inches to decide whether it needs water. You could also purchase a water meter to measure the soil moisture level.

Yellowing leaves could also mean too much direct sunlight, and too little sunlight will not allow the leaves to develop their trademark slits & splits. If your Monstera has yellow, brown, or black leaves, take a knife or sharp scissors and snip those off.

Then take a look at the soil to see if it is dry, flaky, or incredibly soggy—Monstera plants like well-draining soil composed of organic matter; perlite, pumice, or coarse horticultural sand.

The Sill and Etsy are great places to buy plants and have them shipped directly to your home.

Fertilization for Your Monstera

Monsteras plants like to be fertilized once a month during the growing seasons (summer + spring).

I use Fish Emulsion fertilizer for my plants.

Lighting for Your Monstera

Monsteras prefer bright yet indirect light. We have one in our living room near a southeast-facing window and one in our bedroom near a south-facing window. The leaves will start growing with the most beautiful slits when you have the correct light.

Potting Your Monstera

You will want to choose a pot with plenty of drainage holes that is large enough to accommodate the relatively quick growth of this plant. You may need to re-pot your Monstera plant every few years or so, give it more room & ensure that the soil is not depleted of nutrients.

They are a fairly fast-growing plant – so you will need to monitor that their roots do not become too crowded before you are able to re-pot them. We bought our planters from West Elm and filled the bottom layer with coarse gravel to help drainage and protect the roots from rotting.

Summary

The monstera houseplant is an excellent addition to any home, as these large-leaved beauties are relatively easy to care for. They thrive well with bright, indirect light and like their soil to stay slightly moist – but not soggy or overly dry. One should water monsteras once a week or when the top inch of the soil feels dry. It’s also a good idea to fertilize monsteras monthly from spring to fall using a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. By following these simple monstera care tips, your monstera houseplant will bring endless beauty and life into your home!

FAQS

Do Monstera plants need lots of direct sunlight?

No, Monstera plants do not need a lot of direct sunlight. They prefer bright yet indirect light. Too much direct sunlight can cause the leaves to turn yellow or burn, and too little sunlight will not allow the leaves to develop their trademark slits & splits.

Do Monsteras need pruning?

No, Monstera plants do not need regular pruning. However, if the leaves are yellowing or browning at the tips of the leaves, it is best to snip them off with a knife or sharp scissors. This will help to keep your Monstera healthy and looking its best!

Do you want houseplants but do not know where to start?

Hopefully, my tips here on the blog and my posts on Instagram will help. Or, for further help, you may want to pick up copy of House of Plants: Living with Succulents, Air Plants & Cacti or How to Not Kill Your Houseplant: Survival Tips for the Horticulturally Challenged.

Want More Monstera Information? Read These Posts

• How to Propagate Your Monstera
• Monstera Houseplant Tips for the Prettiest Splits
• Quick Tips: Monstera Deliciosa AKA: Swiss Cheese Plants
• Rare Houseplants You Didn’t Even Know You Wanted
• 6 Virtually Un-Killable Houseplants