Monstera Deliciosa Care and Propagation Made Easy

If you spend any time on social media, or simply live on Earth, you have probably noticed Monstera plants, also known as Swiss Cheese Plants, becoming incredibly popular.

These striking green plants are natural climbers, and they can quickly spread and dominate a room when given the opportunity. As they mature, they develop enormous leaves with naturally occurring splits and holes that create their distinctive Swiss cheese-like appearance. The care suggestions in this guide are based on personal experience and the methods that have worked well for growing and maintaining these plants.

In my experience, Monstera plants are among the easiest houseplants to look after. They can handle relatively long periods without watering, do not require intense sunlight, and can adapt to many different rooms throughout a home. They are also remarkably quick growers.

I once considered myself someone who was not particularly good with plants, and I have always preferred finding my own way of doing things. Sometimes those unconventional approaches actually work. With that in mind, here are practical tips for caring for Monstera Deliciosa, including its sunlight and watering requirements as well as an easy way to propagate this fast-growing houseplant.

Monstera Deliciosa Potting and Care

Soil, Sun, and Water

Sunlight: Monstera plants can tolerate relatively low light, so they do not require large amounts of strong sunlight to survive. However, too much direct sun can cause the leaves to become scorched, with brown edges developing as a result. In my experience, my Monstera plants have done especially well when they receive some gentle morning sunlight before spending the remainder of the day in a shadier room.

Soil: Monstera plants should be grown in a soil mixture that drains quickly. Keeping them in constantly wet soil without proper drainage can cause the roots and plant to rot. One method I like is placing a small layer of ordinary topsoil at the bottom of the container, using more when the pot is particularly large, and then combining the soil with a generous amount of perlite, small gravel, or sand to improve drainage. Indoor potting soil can then be added on top.

For my indoor plants, I generally use a standard indoor potting mix combined with perlite. This type of combination works well for a wide variety of houseplants. In my opinion, proper watering and suitable sunlight are the most important factors. I also try to give my plants fertilizer once or twice each month.

Water: Monstera plants are not especially thirsty houseplants. I usually water my Monstera Deliciosa about once a week with approximately two cups of water. During winter, the interval may extend to around one and a half or two weeks. In summer, watering may be necessary every four or five days.

Rather than following a strict schedule, pay attention to the plant itself, particularly the leaves, and watch for signs that they are beginning to droop. Swiss Cheese Plants are quite resilient and can tolerate periods of drought, which is one of the reasons they are so easy to maintain.

Monstera Deliciosa Propagation

Propagation is the process of producing new plants from cuttings taken from a mature or mother plant.

To propagate a Monstera, you will need a pair of gardening shears or another clean, sharp cutting tool. You will also need some clear vases or containers where the cuttings can be placed in water.

Once your Monstera becomes large enough that you can clearly see nodes and brown aerial roots beginning to emerge from the stems, it is a good time to start propagating it. The process may seem intimidating at first, but it is actually quite simple.

Step 1: Make the Cut

Take one of the long green stems and cut it near the base of the plant, just below the point where a node or root is developing. It is important that the node remains attached to the cutting because the new plant needs it in order to produce roots while sitting in water.

Step 2: Select the Right Stems

Repeat the process with some of the larger leaves and stems growing from the mother plant. However, make sure that every cutting contains a visible node or root.

A stem without a node or root will not successfully develop into a new plant in water, so avoid cutting branches that do not contain one.

Step 3: Place the Cuttings in Water

Put all of the prepared cuttings into clear vases filled with water. Place the vases somewhere that receives a small amount of direct sunlight through a nearby window. Some sunlight can help encourage the cuttings to develop roots and begin growing.

Step 4: Allow the Roots to Develop

Now comes the part that requires patience. Your Monstera will not become a fully established plant overnight. Root development can take several months, so give the cuttings plenty of time to produce a strong collection of roots.

Keep enough water in the vases to ensure that the developing roots remain submerged rather than growing upward and becoming exposed to the air. After the first couple of weeks, once the roots begin emerging more noticeably from their original brown coverings, it is a good idea to replace the water completely.

When changing the water, gently rinse the roots before returning the cuttings to the clean vases. This helps keep the developing roots fresh while they continue to grow.

Step 5: Transfer the Plant to Soil

After several months of absorbing plenty of water and sunlight, the Monstera cuttings should have developed enough roots to return to soil.

Of course, the plants should not actually be planted directly into outdoor ground unless the climate is suitable. If you live in a cold region such as the Midwest, do not plant Monstera Deliciosa outdoors in the ground because the plants will not survive the conditions.

Instead, choose a suitably large container for your newly established plants and place them into an appropriate indoor potting mixture. Once planted, continue following the same soil, sunlight, watering, and general care practices described above.