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We all know that loving the plant is not enough for t to survive.
Monstera Deliciosa is a very popular, striking plant and it is not so difficult to care for once you know all your basics.
What we need to know are its light requirements, when to water monstera, what is the best soil for monstera, what are the possible issues, and so on.
In this text, we will go over Monstera watering practices.
Monstera Deliciosa Watering
Watering Monstera is quite easy because it is pretty low maintenance and will forgive you for quite a few caring miss-steps.
Since Monstera Deliciosa is a tropical plant it likes everything in moderation except the humidity.
It does not like to be soaked in water as there can be quite a lot of damage made to the plant if it is overwatered.
So, if you are not sure how often to water your Monstera Deliciosa plant, it is better to skip a watering session and let them go dry.
In fact, Monstera likes when you let its soil dry out before you water it again.
Under-watering your Monstera plant is not advisable, but the plant will recover quickly after you water it unless the damage is too far gone.
On the other hand, over-watering Monstera deliciosa could be even more harmful, and potentially fatal for the plant.
Too much water that remains in the soil can cause the development of a condition called root rot.
Root rot is a fungal disease that is very difficult to spot and cure, mostly because some of the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other conditions – i.e. the leaves turning yellow.
You can notice it if you smell the soil – if it is musty it is the giveaway sign that the root rot has settled in.
Luckily for you, it is easy to prevent by not over-watering your Monstera.
How Often Should I Water Monstera?
If you want to know how often to water the Monstera plant the most general guideline we could give you is – water once a week.
This is true if you and your Monstera live in an area with moderate temperatures and pretty high humidity levels.
However, do not take this advice and follow it blindly.
As we have already stated, overwatering your Monstera can be even more detrimental than underwatering it, so the best option is to “ask” your plant when it is thirsty.
How do you do that?
We do not mean that you literally ask it a question but rather check when the plant needs water.
This is how you do this – put a finger in the soil – if the top 2 inches are dry you should water it. If the soil is wet or moist do not water it and come back in a day or two and repeat the process.
If you are not into sticking your finger in the soil and getting it dirty you try the same with a small wooden stick – a clean Chinese food chopstick can do the trick.
Stick it in the soil and if no soil sticks to it when you get it out then you can water your Monstera.
If it comes out moist and with some dirt clinging to it, then wait for a few more days.
There is another, more professional way that will show you how often to water Monstera Deliciosa and it requires a small investment. It is a soil meter.
It tracks the levels of moisture in the soil and will show you when you should water the plant again.
So, how often to water Monstera?
It depends on the temperature and the humidity.
During the winter months or even during a few colder days you won’t have to water as often as once weekly.
On the other hand, if you live in an area that has high temperatures and low humidity, you may want to water every three to four days.
During the hot and dry days, you can mist the leaves to increase humidity.
Besides the Monstera watering frequency, think about how much water you should give it, and the choice of soil and the pot, as well.
The Soil and the Pot
The best soil for Monstera plants that will not throw your watering tactics into the wind is a well-aerated one.
Monstera prefers well-aerated soil as it allows the excess water to run out and the oxygen to get to the roots.
This relates to the root rot problem that we have already mentioned.
When you pick out a soil that can retain moisture but still the excess water clogs the roots, make sure that your pot is the right kind.
The pot needs to have good drainage holes for the same reasons – no excess moisture is allowed in it.
Related: Picking the Right Pot for Indoor Plants
How Do I Water My Monstera?
And, finally, what is the water quantity appropriate for Monstera?
It likes to be watered thoroughly so pour the water directly on the soil making sure that you avoid the leaves.
Wait for the water to drain through the holes and empty the pot tray.
At that point, you should empty the tray and not allow the water to remain there.
Do this, unless you have your pot on top of some pebbles that are in the pot tray.
The pebbles will keep the bottom part of the soil away from the excess water and, simultaneously, the evaporating water creates moisture around the plant.
Finally, we wanted to give you a cheat sheet in order to help you know when your Monstera plant is facing some issues caused by improper watering practices, and here they are.
Signs of over-watering
- Soil smelling musty – caused by root rot, and points to a serious condition.
- Soft and squishy stems – again, root rot is the cause of this and your plant, or at least those particular stems could be too far gone.
- Yellow leaves
- Brown or black spots – could also be caused by excessive fertilization or inadequate minerals in the soil and essentially be chemical burns. If you haven’t fertilized your plant recently, then overwatering is probably the issue.
Signs of under-watering
- Soil separating from the pot – when the soil separates from the pot is too dry to be aerated, constricts the roots of the plant, and does not provide needed nutrients.
- Droopy or wilting leaves –the easiest to fix, just water thoroughly and watch it liven up in a matter of few minutes
- Yellow leaves
- Yellow leaves with crispy brown edges or spots – brown spots could be caused by chemicals.
To know the difference between yellow leaves caused by overwatering or under-watering check the soil – you will then be sure of how to fix the issue.
The yellow and damaged leaves are done for-they will not recover their green color, so remove them from the plant to keep it looking healthy and go back to the right watering practices.
Related: Monstera Leaves Curling – Reasons and Easy Fixes
To Sum Up
Keep your Monstera in a well-drained, well-aerated moist soil to allow nutrients and oxygen to get to the roots and the plant.
Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering, and use the desired technique to check if your plant ready to be thoroughly watered again.
Provide additional moisture to your plant by either occasionally misting the leaves during the day and/or keeping your plant on a tray full of pebbles allowing water to evaporate and create moisture.
Hopefully, we have helped you learn how to water the Monstera Deliciosa plant and that you will have a gorgeous Monstera on your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
To help you even more, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Monstera plant watering.
Is it bad to water plants at night?
The night is not the best part of the day to water plants. The plants need water during the day especially in the warmer months, so morning is the best option for watering. Watering during the night can have harmful effects – excess water that can’t evaporate/drain out in time makes for great conditions for fungal infections.
Can Monstera grow in water?
Yes, Monstera can successfully grow in water. It will grow happy and healthy provided you change the water frequently so it is always fresh. You would also need to use hydroponic fertilizer since there will not be any soil for the plant to get the needed micro and macronutrients.
How do you know when Monstera needs water?
The first tell-tale sign that your Monstera needs water is when the leaves are droopy or wilting. Other, more serious conditions are curled leaves (in which case you should soak or shower the plant thoroughly), or yellow leaves. Yellow leaves can also be a sign of overwatering so check if the soil is dry before watering.
Should I mist my Monstera?
Misting your Monstera plant is not necessary for it to grow, however; it creates an environment close to its natural habitat. Mist once a week, preferably in the morning so that the water can evaporate and create the humidity the plant enjoys. Misting at night is not advisable.
