With the window leaf, even young gardeners can transform their home into an evergreen oasis of well-being with a jungle atmosphere. If expert care still raises questions, there are practical answers here. This is how you water, fertilize, cut and overwinter Monstera correctly.
How do you properly care for a Monstera?
Monstera care includes watering as needed with soft water, weekly fertilizing during the growth phase, occasional cutting back and overwintering at 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. It is particularly important to regularly spray the leaves with lime-free water.
How to water the window leaf?
The water supply is not based on a fixed schedule, but is based on needs. How to water correctly:
- Keep the substrate continuously moist at all times of the year
- Ideally let the soil dry a little between watering
- Spray the evergreen leaves from time to time with soft water
In summer the water requirement is significantly higher than in winter. On hot summer days it is beneficial to have some aerial roots in a bowl of water. In this way you can effectively prevent ball dryness. Please only use collected rainwater or stale tap water.
Does the houseplant need regular fertilizer?
From April to September, fertilize your window leaf once a week. To do this, add half the concentration of liquid plant fertilizer (€14.00 on Amazon) to the irrigation water. If Monstera thrives all year round at normal room temperatures, continue the nutrient supply in winter with monthly fertilizer applications. If a window leaf overwinteres in a cool and dark place, stop supplying nutrients between October and March.
Can I cut back my window leaf?
If the ornamental houseplant grows over your head, it can tolerate being pruned without complaint. Shoots that are too long can be shortened by up to two thirds. Monsteras reliably sprout again from the sleeping eyes. Please wear gloves to avoid coming into contact with the poisonous plant sap.
By the way, the clippings are far too good to be disposed of in the compost heap. As long as a shoot has at least one aerial root, it has what it takes to become a vigorous cutting.
How do monsteras get through the winter safely?
All Monstera species favor pleasant room temperatures of around 22 degrees Celsius all year round. During the low-light winter period, the thermometer can drop slightly. The darker the location, the cooler it can be. Care is modified accordingly. This is how the window leaf overwinteres:
- The minimum temperature is 10 to 15 degrees Celsius
- Reduce watering and fertilize every 4 weeks at half concentration
- Do not give fertilizer in cool, dark winter quarters at 10 degrees Celsius
The window leaf doesn't like dry heating air. Therefore, spray the mighty leaves regularly with lime-free water, especially during wintering.
Tip
On average every 2 to 3 years, the care program is expanded to include the project: repotting into a new pot. Only subject the majestic climbing plant to this stress when the first root strands grow out of the opening in the ground or push through the substrate. The best time to move to a larger pot is between the end of winter dormancy and fresh shoots.
