When it comes to growing Monstera deliciosa, there’s just one prerequisite. Space. Big plants are like puppies and small children. They’re easy to accommodate when small, but eventually they grow up. When you consider the seven-to-eight-foot height Monstera deliciosa aspires to indoors, you can see why some consideration should be given to where this thing is going to live. The kitchen counter won’t work for long. Aside from the space issue, the rest is gravy, which is code for "easy," and I love easy. The same cannot be said for puppies and small children, so if you’re thinking about either, perhaps try your hand at a Monstera deliciosa first.

What is a Monstera Deliciosa?

Fruit salad plant, Swiss cheese plant, split-leaf philodendron. Whatever you call it, Monstera deliciosa translates to “delicious monstrosity.” Knowing a little bit about where it comes from is a big help in recreating the best growing environment. In its native habitat in the jungles of Central America, it crawls across the jungle floor and scrambles up trees, reaching heights of 70 feet or more. Hardy in zones 10-12, Monstera deliciosa will flower and bear fruit in the right growing conditions. 

Like the philodendron, the monstera is a member of the arum family, which also includes other common houseplants like the peace lily, calla lily, anthurium, and alocasia. It was formerly classified in the Philodendron genus until it was discovered that, despite their similar appearance, they’re entirely different species.

The Best Light for Monstera Deliciosa

Monsteras prefer bright indirect light, and mine has been happy for many years in a northwest-facing window. When it was smaller, I would pull it away from the window during the summer when the light was at its strongest. Adding a little distance between the plant and the window prevents overexposure, which can burn the leaves. If the leaves begin to bleach out or leaf edges turn crispy, move it further from the window or relocate it.

As it’s gotten bigger, there’s less wiggle room, but the plant has continued to thrive. I often move my plants around in search of the sweet spot, and you may have to do so too until you determine the best lighting situation. 

The Best Container for Monstera Deliciosa

When its small, plastic containers do the trick, but you’ll want to increase the pot size as it grows. Let’s say you start off with a pot with a four-inch diameter and you begin to see roots growing through the drainage holes. You also notice it’s drying out fast. That’s your cue to pot on. In which case, you’ll need a pot with a diameter of no more than two inches bigger than the pot your plant is currently living in. 

Do I Need to Train My Monstera Deliciosa?

Absolutely! If you don’t, it’ll spill everywhere. You’ll often see Monstera deliciosa trained to a moss pole. Personally, I don’t care for them. I’ve tried it, and due to the size of my monstera, the pole never remained perfectly upright. It leaned a bit more  everyday beneath the weight of the growing vines. Four one-inch bamboo poles inserted all the way to the bottom of the pot ensure that my plant remains in bounds. 

Watering Frequency and Dripping Leaves

I used to hate when people would tell me I should put my babies on a schedule. That’s like telling rabbits to stop procreating. We had a schedule of sorts, but it varied based on circumstances. The same is true for my houseplants. Watering frequency is based on several factors: season, indoor humidity, container size and light exposure.

When it comes to watering my houseplants, I find it best to deprive them of water until they’re dry. In the winter, that may be once a month and maybe even longer. During the growing season between April and September, that increases to twice a month depending on the feel of things. And the only way to “get a feel” for things is to dip your finger into the soil. If it’s dry up to the second knuckle, time to whip out the watering can and water until it runs through the drainage hole. 

Often in the wintertime and usually the morning after watering, my monsteras develop the most perfect water droplets at the edges of their leaves. It’s a process called guttation and occurs in many plants, including corn, squash, and turf grass. 

How Often Should I Fertilize My Monstera Deliciosa?

Unlike a lot of houseplant parents, I’m a year-round fertilizer, offering it half strength at every watering. I use organic fertilizers as they’re less likely to burn roots and damage plants like synthetic fertilizers. While plant growth slows during the winter, it doesn’t mean they’re not photosynthesizing and growing, and because of that, I keep the food coming. But that doesn’t mean you have to do it too. Your Monstera deliciosa will be fine if you prefer to feed it only during its heavy growth cycle. In which case, you’ll want to stop feeding in October and resume in April.

For the last few months, I’ve been using an American-made organic all-purpose liquid fertilizer from True Organic. So far, all my houseplants seem to be loving the new food, and the Monstera deliciosa is pushing up a few new leaves. And it’s January!