Description

known as Monstera, these climbing plants come from the tropical forests of southern Mexico and South America.  As a houseplant, it will grow into a spectacular, architectural focal point, eventually reaching several metres tall, with huge glossy leaves that create a tropical jungle vibe.

Family

arum family (Araceae)

Temperature

Keep this plant warm all year round, at 18–25°C (65–77°F), and away from cold draughts and direct heat, such as radiators.

Humidity

Monsera plants come from tropical forests and like humid air. So mist the leaves regularly or stand the pot in a saucer over a larger tray containing moist gravel – as the water evaporates, it will moisten the air. Grouping several tropical plants together also helps to raise humidity around them. 

The concentration of water vapour in the atmosphere. This affects the rate at which plants transpire (lose water from their leaf pores), which in turn affects how much water their roots absorb from the soil. If air humidity is low, plants transpire quickly and become at risk of wilting if water is lost from the leaves faster than it can be absorbed by the roots. Different plants require different levels of humidity to thrive. Many tropical houseplants need high humidity and are best grown in a steamy bathroom, misted regularly or placed on a saucer of damp pebbles. 

If the air is too dry, especially in centrally heated homes, the leaves may start to brown at the edges.

Wiping the leaves regularly will not only remove any insects, but will also help to keep them clear of dust. This means the leaves are able to absorb daylight more efficiently, which is important for the plant’s health and growth.

Watering 

To maintain the acidity of the Compost, use rainwater or filtered water whenever possible, preferably at room temperature. This is particularly important in hard water areas, where the mains water is alkaline. Allow the compost to become almost dry before thoroughly watering, and never leave the pot sitting directly in a saucer of water for any length of time, as this can cause the roots to rot. Water slightly less often over winter.

Feeding

To encourage strong, healthy growth, feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser during the growing season, from April to September. 

Pruning and training

Monstera plants are climbers, so they benefit from being trained or tied onto a moss pole, into which they will eventually root if the moss is kept moist. This will also provide support to keep these top-heavy plants upright.

Once a plant feels it is climbing, it will often produce larger, more mature leaves with a greater number of holes (botanically known as fenestrations).

If your plant gets too large for its space, you can prune it back in spring. But the new stems it then produces will generally have smaller, less mature leaves, with fewer holes, until it settles down once more.

Problems

Overwatering, or waterlogging due to poorly draining compost – these can cause the roots to rot and the plant to collapse

Mealybugs - common sap-feeding insects found on a wide range of houseplants and greenhouse plants. Mealybugs can weaken plants and excrete a sticky substance (honeydew) on foliage, which allows the growth of sooty moulds.