Monstera
The monstera — Monstera deliciosa, known as the Swiss cheese plant or split-leaf philodendron — is a bold, tropical climber native to the rainforests of Central America. It's a popular and fairly easy houseplant when given the right conditions.
Care basics
- Light: Bright light but not direct sun — a spot near a bright window works well. It gets leggy in low light.
- Water: Water thoroughly, then let the top inch or two of soil dry before watering again. Overwatering can cause root rot. Water less in winter.
- Support: It's a climber that can grow tall indoors — give it a moss pole, stake, or trellis to climb.
- Temperature: Warm, roughly 60–85°F; keep it away from cold drafts.
- Humidity: Prefers humidity above about 50%. A nearby humidifier or pebble tray helps in dry rooms.
- Soil: A well-draining, organic-rich potting mix.
- Fertilizer: Balanced houseplant fertilizer through the growing season.
The 3 most common problems
1. Yellow leaves and root rot from overwatering
Monstera is prone to root diseases when the soil stays wet, especially in cooler months. Yellowing leaves with wet soil usually mean you're overwatering. Fix: Water only when the top of the soil is dry, use well-drained soil, and don't let the pot sit in water. If roots are mushy, see our root rot guide.
2. Brown leaf edges from low humidity
When the air is very dry, monstera leaf edges can turn brown. Fix: Raise humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray.
3. Leggy, sparse growth from low light
In dim corners, monstera grows long, thin, stretched stems. Fix: Move it to brighter, indirect light — see our leggy growth guide.
Also watch for common houseplant pests like scale, mealybugs, and spider mites — see our spider mites guide.
Pet safety note: Monstera is toxic to dogs and cats — it contains insoluble calcium oxalates that cause intense irritation of the mouth, tongue, and lips. Keep it away from pets. (Source: ASPCA.)
A few extra tips
Monsteras are much more tolerant of being pot-bound (root-crowded) than over-potted, so don't rush to upsize the pot — water and pot carefully rather than frequently moving it up. They're easy to propagate from stem cuttings with a node, which root readily. Wipe the dust off the large leaves now and then so they can photosynthesize well, and give them something sturdy to climb for their most impressive, fenestrated (split-leaf) growth.
Monstera at a glance
- Light: bright, indirect; it gets leggy in low light
- Water: let the top inch or two dry before watering again
- Humidity: prefers humidity above about 50%
- Support: give it a moss pole, stake, or trellis to climb
- Watch for: yellow leaves and root rot (overwatering), brown leaf edges (dry air), and leggy, stretched growth (low light)
A healthy monstera is fast-growing and dramatic, which makes it a rewarding centerpiece for any bright room.