Alpha Botanical - Monstera Plant Care Profile

Light

Place your Monstera in an area of your home where it can receive high amounts of indirect light. The more light it receives the larger the plants leaves and slits will be which adds to the beauty of the plant. Place the plant near an east or south facing window.

Placement

Office, Bedroom, Diningroom

Water Habits

It is important to keep the soil of your Monstera moist, but not to over water it. Water the plant when you have noticed the soil has dried out on the top, but make sure to not over water to the point where the soil cannot absorb the water.

Temperature

Ideal Temperature for Monstera: 60-80°F (15-27°C) Min: 45°F (7°C)

Toxins Removed

Xylene/Toluene

Did You Know ?

The latin meaning for Monstera is for ‘monstrous’ or ‘abnormal’ pertaining to the distinguishing features of the plants leaves. A common name for this tree is the swiss cheese plant, or split leaf pholodendron. In some Central and South American countries the aerial root of the plant has been used to as ropes and/or to make baskets. It is also claimed that the leaf and roots infused into a tea can help relieve arthritis.

Scales:

There are many species of scales that are commonly found in indoor house or greenhouse plants. Some species of the insect can have an armored shell like covering that will protect its entire form while others will have none at all. Those with the waxy shell can have its protection removed by simply scraping it away. It is easiest to tell the difference as the soft scales (no armored protection) produce honeydew while the armored scales will not. Scales feed on your plant by sucking on the plant’s sap. This will promote poor growth which will eventually stunt the growth of your plant. It can also lead to your plant being infested to sooty mold.

The most practical thing to do for your first attempt at cleaning up your plant from its infestation is to use soap and water to wash off the leaves and stems. If your plant is heavily infested, you can try an insecticide spray schedule on your plant that involves 2 to 3 sprays a week every two weeks. It is usually best to discard the plant however before the infestation can spread.

Nitrogen Deficiency:

The leaves on my plant are turning yellow. What is going on?

If you start seeing some discoloration and yellowing of the leaves on your plant it is usually caused from a Nitrogen deficiency. The yellowing usually starts at the tips of the leaf and works its way inwards with no particular pattern. It will consume the oldest, lower leaves first until only the newest growth stays green. Here are a few recommended tips to handle a nitrogen deficiency. If you own a fish aquarium empty some of the aquarium water you have replaced into the soil of the plant. Another solution would be to spray the leaves of the plants with a foliar fertilizer (fertilizers made especially for applying nutrients to the leaves) with a mix of about 5-10-5 (percentage of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium).

Iron Deficiency:

How do I identify that my plant has an iron deficiency?

Interior plants can often suffer from an Iron deficiency. You can tell that your plant is experiencing by a lack of iron by observing the young leaves on the plant. There may be a slight yellowing, shedding of new leaves or flowers, or stunting of growth. This usually occurs to plants that are in poorly aerated soil or have been overwatered to the point of saturation. Fortunately iron deficiency can be alleviated with regular applications of an iron sulfate foliar fertilizer or for a long term solution correct the poorly aerated soil and do not over water.