Houseplant of the month: monstera
Get to know our July houseplant of the month – marvelous Monstera!
As one of the most iconic houseplants that almost everyone will instantly recognise, the Monstera has been loved for decades for its large, dramatic, tropical leaves – and since they’re relatively easy to take care of and make a real statement piece in any room, it’s no wonder they’re such popular houseplants
Keep reading our blog to find out more about the unique, easy going Monstera – from care tips to fun facts
Popular monstera varieties
Native to the shadowy jungle floors of South America, there have been close to 50 eclectic species of Monstera discovered – from little to large, and even in different colours. Here are some of our favourites
Monstera deliciosa
The Monstera deliciosa is the most popular variety of all Monsteras. It has the classic large, glossy green leaves we all know and love. Care for it properly and it will keep growing larger and larger, giving you a real tropical jungle look to your interior design
Monstera Thai constellation
This variegated kind of Monstera is rarer, so if you’re a houseplant collector you’ll want this one in your collection! Its stunning cream coloured splashes on its leaves look like a starry night sky, so this plant really stands out from the crowd. Just remember this variety requires lots of bright, indirect sunlight to maintain its colour
Monstera little sister
If you don’t have a lot of space for a gigantic Monstera, then don’t worry! The Monstera little sister variety is a great substitution. It has everything a regular Monstera has, except that it’s adorably miniature and fits perfectly on shelves, tables and desks
Monstera adansonii
This variety is more commonly known as the monkey mask plant because the shape of the leaves and its holes are said to look like a monkey’s face. This is another beautiful variety of Monstera to add to your collection if you’re looking to save some space, but still want the dramatic qualities of the normal plant
Monstera variegated
Monsteras come in several eclectic varieties – the most unique being a variegated kind which has bold, pale splashes on its leaves. We’ve already spoken about the Thai Constellation variety, but there are many other variegated Monsteras with larger, unique speckles you can own to add even more diversity to your houseplant collection
How to care for your monstera
Monsteras are surprisingly easy to care for and tolerant to low light and watering, but if you want to grow an impressive plant then we’ve pulled together an easy-to-follow care guide:
Light: Monsteras will survive in semi-shade, but taller varieties will grow better somewhere that gets lots of light. However, make sure it’s not in direct sunlight or its leaves will burn. Dust the leaves regularly to allow them to absorb more light
Water: Lightly water, letting it dry out between waterings. Only water again once the top inch or two of soil is dry
Humidity: Monsteras love a moist atmosphere. Mist their leaves every few days and your plant will be happy – especially if your heating is on and the air is drier!
Temperature: Keep your Monstera at a temperature between 15°C and 30°C
Soil: Monsteras thrive in a well-drained, moisture-retaining houseplant mix
Feeding: Once a month in spring and summer, feed your Monstera with a liquid fertiliser and it will grow big and strong. As your Monstera grows, make sure to support it with a moss pole
Repotting: While Monsteras grow quite quickly, only repot them in spring when the roots start to appear from the pot
WHERE SHOULD I KEEP MY MONSTERA?
Monstera plants will survive just about anywhere. Any bright room with indirect sunlight will keep your Monstera happy. Keep it away from draughty areas or heaters blowing out dry air. If you want to grow a bigger variety, then it will need a big room with lots of space to allow it to grow large
Fun facts about monsteras
The Latin name ‘Monstera deliciosa’ literally means ‘delicious monster’. It might sound strange, but wild Monsteras bear edible fruit. However, the kinds we keep in our homes are not edible – so keep them away from curious cats, dogs, and little ones
If you’re wondering why Monsteras have such a trendy and retro vibe to them, it’s because they were also incredibly popular houseplants in the 1970s, making a comeback in the 2010s
An indoor Monstera can grow up to 8 feet tall! And its leaves can grow up to 3 feet wide
There’s a reason Monstera has grown to develop these signature leaf holes and splits – also known as fenestrations. It happens because it’s used to growing in shade in its natural jungle environment. The gaps in the leaves allow sunlight to reach the lowest foliage, keeping all parts of the plant happy and healthy. You might notice young Monstera plants won't have fenestrations, but they’ll soon develop as the plant grows larger and matures
Monsteras have many common names. You may know them as custard plants, fruit salad plants, or their most popular nickname – the Swiss cheese plant, due to the distinctive holes in its leaves