Monstera — Plant Guide

Quick facts

Light: Bright indirect · Water: When top 2” dry

Difficulty: Easy–moderate

Pet-safe: ❌ No

Description

The big-leaved icon of houseplant culture. Mature leaves develop dramatic holes and splits (fenestrations); as a climbing aroid it wants to ascend a moss pole, which encourages bigger, more fenestrated leaves. Often mislabeled “split-leaf philodendron” — it’s a Monstera, not a Philodendron.

Care

Light: Bright indirect. Too little light = small leaves with few or no holes. Avoid harsh direct midday sun.
Water: Let the top ~2 inches dry, then soak and drain. Sensitive to staying wet.
Soil & potting: Chunky, airy aroid mix (bark + perlite). Always use drainage.
Humidity & temperature: Tolerates average humidity; lusher with higher. Warm, no cold drafts.
Support & feeding: Give it a pole; feed spring–summer.
Propagation: Cut below a node with an aerial root; root in water or soil.

Propagation

From stem cuttings: cut just below a node that has an aerial root, and root in water or straight into soil. For a tall, bare plant, air-layer a node before cutting to get a well-rooted division. A leaf without a node won’t grow. See Propagation Basics.

Toxicity

Toxic to cats and dogs — insoluble calcium oxalates cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Source: ASPCA.

Common ailments, afflictions & pests

Click any item for how to identify and treat it.

Spider Mites — the most common pest indoors; webbing and fine speckling, worse in dry air.
Mealybugs — white fuzz in leaf joints and along veins.
Scale Insects — brown bumps; sticky honeydew.
Root Rot — from soggy soil; yellowing, black mushy stems. See Watering & Root Health.
No fenestrations / small leaves? Not a disease — it needs more light (and a pole).
Brown crispy edges? Usually low humidity or underwatering. Thrips can also occur — look for silvery scarring and tiny slivers.

Sources

iNaturalist · Wikipedia