Monstera deliciosa, also known as window leaf or five-finger leaf because of the typical shape of its foliage, is one of the most popular houseplants. The popularity of the climbing plant, which is often incorrectly referred to as Philodendron or tree friend, is primarily explained by its impressive size and huge, shiny green leaves. With good care, the Monstera can even develop flowers and fruits.
What are the optimal conditions for the Monstera deliciosa?
The Monstera deliciosa, also known as window leaf, is a popular houseplant prized for its large, glossy, slitted leaves. It requires a partially shaded to sunny location, slightly moist substrate, regular fertilization and a climbing aid for optimal growth.
Origin and distribution
Monstera deliciosa is a species of the genus Monstera (window leaves), which includes around 50 other species, within the family of the Araceae family. The popular houseplant with large, strikingly slitted leaves is native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. Here the plant first germinates on the ground and then climbs along the huge trunks up into the huge crowns of the jungle giants.
No one can say exactly how many species of this genus there are. Estimates range from around 30 to 60 different variants, with some - including the Monstera deliciosa, which is so popular in our country - spreading rapidly in areas with favorable climatic conditions and sometimes even having to be combated by human hands. For example, released, invasive occurrences can be found in the south of the USA, but also in India and other Asian countries, in Australia and in some regions of the western Mediterranean such as Morocco or Portugal.
Usage
The first specimens of Monstera deliciosa reached Europe from Mexico at the beginning of the 19th century. A few decades later, the species was already being cultivated in numerous European nurseries. The Monstera had its heyday as a houseplant for normal people in the 1970s and 1980s, but in recent years there has been a renewed return to this easy-care and attractive foliage plant. However, the window leaf is not only interesting as a decorative leaf plant for the living room at home, its stylized leaf can also be found as an art and decorative object on numerous objects.
Due to its tropical origins, the Monstera is only suitable as a houseplant or is cultivated in tropical winter gardens and greenhouses.
Appearance and growth
In its natural location, the climbing plant, which is what the Monstera is, easily reaches the highest treetops. In cultivation, however, the window leaf grows upright to a height of around three meters. The long aerial roots are also characteristic, with the help of which the plant anchors itself to any substrate. These can be other plants such as the jungle trees already mentioned, but also rock walls or, in the case of indoor cultivation, special climbing and climbing aids. As soon as the aerial roots come into contact with soil, they penetrate there and anchor themselves in it. They then take over the normal function of roots and absorb water and nutrients. The fleshy, very long shoots of the Monstera, on the other hand, are not stable on their own and require support.
Which climbing aid is suitable for the Monstera?
So that the plant can pursue its natural growth behavior in the living room, it needs a reliable climbing aid. Of course, you can offer her one made of wood or metal, although her aerial roots cannot always find a secure hold on the smooth surface. A more suitable option is a so-called moss stick (€16.00 on Amazon), which you can buy at any hardware or gardening store. This is often a thick rod made of plastic or another robust material that is wrapped with coconut fibers or moss.
Alternatively, simply redirect the aerial roots into the substrate, where they grow like normal roots and fulfill their function of supplying the plant with water and nutrients. Just don't cut off these roots.
leaves
The Monstera is cultivated as a decorative houseplant primarily because of its up to 50 centimeter long and very wide, shield-shaped leaves. The attractive foliage plant initially develops heart-shaped, entire-edged and light green leaves, which only later receive their characteristic openings on the leaf edges and surfaces as well as the shiny, dark green one. The thick, leathery leaves probably have this unusual appearance because the slits and openings improve the light absorption of parts of the plant in shadier areas of the rainforest.
The leaf stalks of the window leaf also have a specific peculiarity: the strikingly strong and long leaf stalks are often angled downwards (“kneeled” as the botanist says), so that the plant can cling to the branches and branches with this additional climbing aid can literally hook onto the shoots of other plants.
Flowers and fruits
With good care and optimal conditions, older specimens of the window leaf can also produce flowers when grown indoors. As a rule, this happens with plants that are at least ten years old. The flower looks very similar to that of Spathiphyllum or Anthurium, after all they are related species. A yellowish, long-stemmed flower spadix is formed, which is surrounded by a large, white involucre.bract is surrounded. This flower shape is typical of the maple family (Araceae). It later develops into purple berries, which are considered a tasty delicacy in some countries. In fact, the fruits of Monstera are edible, but sensitive people should refrain from consuming them: the calcium oxalate needles contained in the berries can irritate the throat mucosa.
The species Monstera deliciosa – which means “delicious window leaf” in German – has its name for a reason. It produces elongated green fruits, not unlike corn cobs, which are edible and taste a little like pineapple. These have the joking name “pineapple bananas” and are often sold in markets, especially in holiday destinations such as Madeira. Since these fruits contain a lot of oxalic acid, similar to rhubarb, caution is advised when consuming them. Not everyone can tolerate large amounts of this substance, which can irritate the mucous membranes and the digestive tract. As a rule, no fruits develop in living room culture.
Toxicity
Apart from the fruits, all parts of the Monstera - from leaves to roots to flowers - are poisonous and should therefore not be consumed. In addition to oxalic acid and calcium oxalate crystals, the climbing plant contains, among other things: also resorcinol and various pungent substances. Symptoms of poisoning, ranging from irritation of the skin and mucous membranes to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, occur after consumption in both humans and animals. To avoid danger, the Monstera should be kept out of the reach of small children and pets such as dogs, cats, rodents or even birds.
The plant sap can also cause allergic reactions, which is why you should always wear gloves when carrying out maintenance work (e.g. pruning).
Which location is suitable?
As in its natural range, the window leaf feels most comfortable in partially shaded to sunny areas. Direct sun - especially the blazing midday sun - causes lasting damage to the attractive, green leaves and should therefore be avoided. Only in the early morning and in the evening a few rays of sunshine make the Monstera feel even more comfortable. In summer, when temperatures exceed 20 °C, the plant can also be placed on the balcony or terrace, as long as it is sufficiently protected there. The temperature should not fall below 18 °C in summer and winter.
When choosing a location, you should also consider the expected final size of the Monstera in addition to the light requirements. This plant needs a lot of space and should ideally be placed there right from the start, where it can remain permanently and undisturbed for many years. Plan enough space for this, both in height and width: a change of location due to a lack of space (or other reasons) will not suit the window leaf at all. In this respect, the plant is a diva and should be left alone.read more
Substrate
In terms of the nature of the substrate, the Monstera also feels most comfortable in soil that corresponds to its natural location conditions. A humus-rich, loose and slightly acidic to neutral substrate that you either mix yourself or buy is ideal. A high-quality rhododendron soil based on compost instead of peat works well. Alternatively, mix two thirds of commercially available compost soil with one third of cocohumer or perlite.
Hydroculture
In addition to the classic soil method, you can also easily care for the Monstera hydroponically. To do this, place the plant in vermiculite or expanded clay and use a special pot with a water level indicator. The plant substrate should be replaced every one to two years as lime and other deposits collect in it.
Planting Monstera correctly
It is best to plant the Monstera in a large pot from the start so that its roots have enough space. The planter should leave at least two inches of space between the wall of the pot and the root ball. In addition, if possible, use a pot with a drainage hole so that excess irrigation water can drain away and waterlogging does not occur in the first place. Planting is done as follows:
- Cover drain hole with pottery shards
- fill in part of the substrate
- Loosen the root ball with your fingers
- Place the plant in the middle of the container
- Carefully guide aerial roots into the pot
- do not bend or otherwise injure yourself
- fill with substrate
- pour well
The Monstera sits properly in the planter when the roots are about two to three below the surface.
Repotting
Younger Monstera specimens should be repotted annually due to their rapid growth, while older plants need fresh substrate about every two to three years. The best time for this project is spring.read more
Water Monstera
The Monstera feels most comfortable when the substrate is always slightly moist, but not constantly wet. Although the rainforest plant needs a lot of water, especially in the warm summer months, like most other plants it cannot tolerate long-term waterlogging. Water them regularly between April and October, but only when the top layer of the substrate has already dried. In the winter months between November and March, however, you can water much more sparingly, as the Monstera needs less water during this time.
In addition to the regular supply of water, the Monstera also needs an environment with high humidity, which is often not the case, especially in winter. To remedy this, spray the plant regularly with water or place it in a bowl filled with stones and water.read more
Fertilize Monstera properly
Like almost all rainforest plants, Monstera has a very high nutrient requirement and should therefore be fertilized regularly. For this purpose, give it a liquid green plant fertilizer along with the irrigation water approximately every two weeks between April and September. Alternatively, you can also use a slow-release fertilizer, for example in stick form. In the remaining months between October and March, you should suspend fertilization.
Monstera drops leaves / turns brown leaves, what to do?
If the Monstera suddenly gets brown leaf edges, it is often due to over-fertilization. This occurs if you do not apply the fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions or apply it undiluted. Pot the plant in fresh substrate and be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. However, if the window leaf sheds its leaves, a nutrient deficiency may be the cause.read more
Cut Monstera correctly
Basically, the Monstera does not need to be cut back, you should only remove diseased or dead leaves. However, since the plant can grow very tall in a short time, limiting growth is recommended if necessary. To do this, simply shorten the main shoot; the side shoots can also be shaped. The window leaf does not become woody, is easy to cut and can be trimmed all year round. The only disadvantage: If the Monstera is cut back, it will not produce any flowers.read more
Propagate Monstera
You can use the clippings resulting from pruning to propagate this pretty plant. Both head and shoot cuttings as well as stem pieces are suitable for this, provided they have at least one bud. However, cuttings should always have aerial roots, as these are where the new roots form. You can root the plant pieces in a glass of water as well as in nutrient-poor potting soil.read more
Diseases and pests
The Monstera is a robust and easy-care houseplant that is rarely attacked by pests or pathogens. Signs of illness are often due to care errors and disappear as soon as you eliminate the cause. Brown leaves, especially at the edges, as well as yellow discoloration usually indicate that they are kept too wet or that fertilization is incorrect. Since newly sprouted leaves only divide over time, the lack of leaf division is also a sign of illness: the Monstera often does not like the location that is too dark.
Tip
If you're going on summer vacation, you can do a simple watering job yourself thanks to the aerial roots for the Monstera: All you need to do is divert the aerial roots into a container filled with water.
Species and varieties
As a houseplant, only the Monstera deliciosa species is usually cultivated, which is also available in the following interesting cultivars:
- 'Variegata': has strikingly variegated leaves and needs more light than the purely green species
- 'Borsigiana': forms rather narrow and less openwork leaves
Both varieties mentioned grow slower than the original form, although 'Variegata' needs not only a bright location but also more warmth.
