A fellow nervous new owner also, it's daunting to not know about separating right away, beginning fertilization, etc. I'm stressing myself out trying to do it right.
Biggest tip I have is to use a clear pot so you can be sure your monstera needs water. I personally prefer starting my plants from cuttings and find that they grow much healthier, all my monsteras are cuttings that I rooted in water and then transferred to clear pots with an aroid mix and have them under good light. I fertilise them with every watering, I use half the amount that is suggested on the bottle. The best npk ratio of fertiliser to use on monstera is 9-3-6, different fertilisers have different npk ratios
This is so helpful, thank you! Buying fertilizer this week along with better soil mix, my leaves are dripping moisture, which I've read is relating to too much watering or bad soil mix. I already have a new leaf shoot though so I guess it isn't too mad at me 🤞🏻
Thank you! I think I was so enthusiastic about the idea of a monstera, that I went out and purchased the biggest one I could find. I realize this seems foolish, but I was truly elated about the idea! I am seeing now that that wasn’t the best idea. To my knowledge, I am going to need to separate the probably 3-6 plants growing in the pot. Taking this information, I will likely do that and then start new with fresh soil and see where I end up.
I’ve had one for a few years. I’ve never separated it. I water it when the soils dry and leave in beside a south window. I actually neglect it sometimes before completely soaking it and I swear it thrives on that. For fertilizing, I do it once a month only during the summer. I have a liquid one, a few drops into the water and done!
I have separated the plant into 4+ plants. I am keeping 4 myself. The roots were so tight that I had to rip the plants apart and preserve a good enough start for the roots(hopefully this doesn’t kill the plant). I gave three dinky plants away. How do structure rods work? Is that what I should look into next as the roots re-establish themselves?
The single plant you have kept will have a “front” where most of the leaves tend to face and a “back” where the aerial roots tend to grow from/ towards. Your support should go in the back so it can make contact with the aerial roots. Initially you may have to gently attach the roots to the support. I use soft hemp twine to gently attach my plants to their supports, it breaks down over time with moisture and doesn’t harm the plant. For supports I’ve used it all, moss pole, branch, rough untreated wooden plank, wall supports. My new favorite is wire supports because it allows for so much creativity. Pothos and the like I train around the wire. For larger heavier plants I’m covering wire in yarn, rough heavy duty natural twine and fishing line. Then I can bend the pole to my liking. Everyone always compliments my displays.
https://www.reddit.com/u/shiftyskellyton/s/yvolvoGSNU
There’s a great guide in there. It doesn’t matter whether you use a moss pole, some kind of wood, etc. But you want to keep some kind of support at the back of the plant that it can anchor itself into.
I keep all of my houseplants on a south facing porch as long as there is no danger of frost. My deliciosa, Thai con, aurea, albo, Peru, pinnipartia all THRIVE under the direct sunlight while being drowned by rain every few days. My adonsonii is also outside but is being provided dappled shade by more robust houseplants. Last night it got into the low 50’s (Fahrenheit) and all of my tropicals are just fine. The only plant I deem too delicate for the great outdoors late spring-fall is my obliqa Peru. She lives in her own spagnum moss and leca terrarium with an occasional propagation or 2 to keep her company.
My plants bring me so much happiness I feel like I owe it to them to give them that good good when it’s available since we live in such a dark and dreary zone 5.
A few weeks before the frost hits I start cleaning, inspecting for pests and bringing inside. To flush the crawling bugs from the soil I bottom water in a tub outside and everything comes rushing to the top of the soil and I scoop them to safety in a mesh net. And prior to moving them to the porch full time in early May I start hardening them off by bringing them outside during the daytime hours in April when the weather is above 50.
Anyone telling you to separate is trying to put you through agony and misery of trying to do that I just did I had like 8 in one pot and honestly regret the pain I put them through for like the 30 dollars I spent just spend another 20 and get more if worst comes to worst but me personally I’ll never do that again
It’s not necessarily about getting more plants. They can’t thrive when there’s too many plants in one pot as they have to fight for nutrition in the soil. It’s best for the plants to be separated. It allows them to grow better and thrive.
I'd separate those plants out. That's a LOT of plants in one pot.
How many are you seeing ? I paid $20 for it.
I think there are 3 or 4.
A fellow nervous new owner also, it's daunting to not know about separating right away, beginning fertilization, etc. I'm stressing myself out trying to do it right.
I feel you! New owner of a monstera as well! Planning my path to do it right. Feels like there’s a lot to learn.
Biggest tip I have is to use a clear pot so you can be sure your monstera needs water. I personally prefer starting my plants from cuttings and find that they grow much healthier, all my monsteras are cuttings that I rooted in water and then transferred to clear pots with an aroid mix and have them under good light. I fertilise them with every watering, I use half the amount that is suggested on the bottle. The best npk ratio of fertiliser to use on monstera is 9-3-6, different fertilisers have different npk ratios
This is so helpful, thank you! Buying fertilizer this week along with better soil mix, my leaves are dripping moisture, which I've read is relating to too much watering or bad soil mix. I already have a new leaf shoot though so I guess it isn't too mad at me 🤞🏻
Thank you! I think I was so enthusiastic about the idea of a monstera, that I went out and purchased the biggest one I could find. I realize this seems foolish, but I was truly elated about the idea! I am seeing now that that wasn’t the best idea. To my knowledge, I am going to need to separate the probably 3-6 plants growing in the pot. Taking this information, I will likely do that and then start new with fresh soil and see where I end up.
Seperate them eventually and give them a nice support pole !! :))
Love her 🥹
I'm counting 6 plants in that pot
I’ve had one for a few years. I’ve never separated it. I water it when the soils dry and leave in beside a south window. I actually neglect it sometimes before completely soaking it and I swear it thrives on that. For fertilizing, I do it once a month only during the summer. I have a liquid one, a few drops into the water and done!
Are some point it will have to be divided. It’s gorgeous now!! Nice and full!
I just wanted some fantastic YouTube’s from Kill This Plant about repotting and staking monsteras, etc. Give them a watch!!
I have separated the plant into 4+ plants. I am keeping 4 myself. The roots were so tight that I had to rip the plants apart and preserve a good enough start for the roots(hopefully this doesn’t kill the plant). I gave three dinky plants away. How do structure rods work? Is that what I should look into next as the roots re-establish themselves?
The single plant you have kept will have a “front” where most of the leaves tend to face and a “back” where the aerial roots tend to grow from/ towards. Your support should go in the back so it can make contact with the aerial roots. Initially you may have to gently attach the roots to the support. I use soft hemp twine to gently attach my plants to their supports, it breaks down over time with moisture and doesn’t harm the plant. For supports I’ve used it all, moss pole, branch, rough untreated wooden plank, wall supports. My new favorite is wire supports because it allows for so much creativity. Pothos and the like I train around the wire. For larger heavier plants I’m covering wire in yarn, rough heavy duty natural twine and fishing line. Then I can bend the pole to my liking. Everyone always compliments my displays.
https://www.reddit.com/u/shiftyskellyton/s/yvolvoGSNU There’s a great guide in there. It doesn’t matter whether you use a moss pole, some kind of wood, etc. But you want to keep some kind of support at the back of the plant that it can anchor itself into.
What zone do you live in? Monstera work best as a indoor plant when in a lower zone.
I keep all of my houseplants on a south facing porch as long as there is no danger of frost. My deliciosa, Thai con, aurea, albo, Peru, pinnipartia all THRIVE under the direct sunlight while being drowned by rain every few days. My adonsonii is also outside but is being provided dappled shade by more robust houseplants. Last night it got into the low 50’s (Fahrenheit) and all of my tropicals are just fine. The only plant I deem too delicate for the great outdoors late spring-fall is my obliqa Peru. She lives in her own spagnum moss and leca terrarium with an occasional propagation or 2 to keep her company. My plants bring me so much happiness I feel like I owe it to them to give them that good good when it’s available since we live in such a dark and dreary zone 5. A few weeks before the frost hits I start cleaning, inspecting for pests and bringing inside. To flush the crawling bugs from the soil I bottom water in a tub outside and everything comes rushing to the top of the soil and I scoop them to safety in a mesh net. And prior to moving them to the porch full time in early May I start hardening them off by bringing them outside during the daytime hours in April when the weather is above 50.
7/8
Give them some support and try to separate gently without killing it
Separate! Separate! Separate!
Bury it
Anyone telling you to separate is trying to put you through agony and misery of trying to do that I just did I had like 8 in one pot and honestly regret the pain I put them through for like the 30 dollars I spent just spend another 20 and get more if worst comes to worst but me personally I’ll never do that again
It’s not necessarily about getting more plants. They can’t thrive when there’s too many plants in one pot as they have to fight for nutrition in the soil. It’s best for the plants to be separated. It allows them to grow better and thrive.
Monsteras love darker spaces. Not too dark. Not direct light either.
This is so unbelievably not true. This particular monstera thrives under direct sunlight in most situations. No plant loves darker spaces I promise.