Watering is one of the most vital aspects of houseplant care. Putting the plant in the right place and doing a few other things here and there are the only things we really need to think about every week. It’s also the area where most people who take care of houseplants go wrong, which is why so many people have “black thumbs.”
As moisture lovers, Monsteras are particularly susceptible to watering problems, especially overwatering. But with this full guide, you’ll know exactly when and how to water your Monsteras so they don’t die too soon.
You can’t go wrong if you know what affects when to water and how to tell if you’re watering too much or too little. Ready to learn more? Let’s dig in!.
Most types of monstera plants will need to be watered once a week to once every two weeks. You’ll want to water until the soil is saturated, using a finger test. You do not want your plant’s soil to become waterlogged, or you’ll run the risk of disease.
The Monstera genus is packed with fascinating leafy plants that have stolen the hearts of houseplant lovers.
The most well-known is Monstera deliciousa, which is also called the Delicious Monster or the Swiss Cheese Plant. It has huge leaves and classic fenestration. But there are some other species that are becoming more popular that you could add to your collection, like Monstera adansonii.
Monstera plants are one of the most, if not the most, widely grown houseplants around the world. They are appreciated for their tropical look and impressive leaf size. This makes them a much-needed addition for anyone looking to start their own indoor jungle.
They are also relatively easy to care for. These plants typically aren’t as fussy as other common houseplants and can live for several years without problems. The key to this long lifespan is correct care, particularly in watering. And getting this watering right starts with an understanding of the Monstera’s native habitat.
Monstera species are natively concentrated around Central America. They are found in tropical and subtropical forests where they grow underneath trees on the forest floor. From this point, they use runners to find nearby trees to climb and ariel roots to get water and food from the trees’ pockets.
This classifies Monsteras as hemi-epiphytes. Epiphytes are plants that grow along other plants – usually trees. They don’t take nutrients from the plant or suffocate it like a parasitic plant would; they just use them as a base to stay off the ground.
A hemi-epiphyte has the ability to grow in both soil and with aerial roots. As they grow, they get taller, which gives them more light and air than the plants below and lets them soak up water from the ground at the same time.
Even if you grow your Monstera indoors in pots, it’s important to keep up with this growth pattern to keep it alive and well. Both the soil and the air around them need to be moist for them to grow, but some of their epiphytic roots can rot if they get too wet.
For your Monstera to stay healthy and grow, you need to find the right balance of consistent moisture without drowning the roots.
Monstera plants have become extremely popular houseplants due to their lush, tropical foliage But caring for these plants does require paying close attention to their water needs Underwatering or overwatering can quickly lead to stressed, unhappy monsteras. So how do you know how much water to give your monstera and how often? This complete guide will teach you everything you need to know about proper monstera watering techniques.
The Basics of Monstera Water Requirements
Monsteras prefer consistently moist (but not soggy) soil. As a general rule, they need:
- Watering every 1-2 weeks
- Allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings
- Watering until water drains from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot
However the exact frequency and amount of water will vary depending on factors like lighting temperature, humidity, season, and pot size. It’s important to pay attention to visual cues from the plant and soil instead of sticking to a rigid schedule.
Overwatering and underwatering can both cause issues, so aim to keep the soil evenly moist. Test with your finger to gauge moisture levels. And take into account the plant’s growth rate – faster growing monsteras will need more frequent watering.
Native Habitat Offers Clues
To understand monstera water needs, it helps to consider their native habitat. Monsteras are native to tropical regions of Central America and Southern Mexico. They thrive in humid, damp tropical forests and jungle locations.
In the wild, monsteras often grow as epiphytes, meaning they attach their aerial roots to trees and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and rainwater. This gives us clues that indoor monsteras prefer higher humidity and frequent access to water.
Potting Mix Makes a Difference
The potting soil you use for your monstera plays a key role in both drainage and moisture retention. A quality potting mix specifically formulated for tropical plants is best. The perfect potting mix will hold some moisture but still drain well to prevent soggy roots.
Here are some tips for the right monstera potting mix:
- Use a peat moss or coconut coir base for moisture retention
- Add in perlite or pumice for drainage and aeration
- Consider mixing in some orchid bark for epiphytic air roots
- Use a pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out
Avoid regular garden soil, which tends to compact over time and hold too much water. A good monstera potting mix should retain moisture but still feel lightweight when dry.
Watering Techniques
When it comes time to water your monstera, there are a few techniques you can use:
Top watering – Water slowly from the top until it drains from the bottom. Move the watering can around to all sides of the pot to distribute moisture evenly.
Bottom watering – Place the pot in a sink or bowl filled with several inches of water for 20-30 minutes, allowing the soil to absorb moisture from the bottom up.
Misting – Use a spray bottle to mist the leaves and allow the droplets to run into the soil. This boosts humidity too.
Self-watering pots – Plant the monstera in a self-watering pot that automatically delivers water as needed.
How to Tell When Monsteras Need Water
Rather than adhering to a strict calendar schedule, check these visual signs to know when your monstera needs water:
- Soil is dry 1-2 inches below the surface
- Leaves begin to droop or curl
- Leaves feel thinner or papery
- New growth slows down
- Pot feels light when lifted
- Soil appears shrunken from the sides of the pot
If you see these signs, it’s time to thoroughly water your plant. The leaves should perk up again within several hours once rehydrated.
Dangers of Overwatering Monsteras
While monsteras love moisture, overwatering can actually cause more harm than underwatering them. When overwatered, excess moisture prevents oxygen from reaching the roots. This can lead to deadly root rot and other fungal diseases.
Signs your monstera is being overwatered:
- Mushy, black, or foul smelling roots
- Constantly wet soil
- Yellowing or drooping leaves
- Leaf drop
- Small black spots on leaves
- Fungus gnats flying around soil
If you notice these issues, allow the soil to fully dry out before watering again. You may need to repot the plant to assess root damage. Trim off any mushy roots before repotting in fresh, dry soil.
Underwatering Stress Signs
Underwatering is easier to remedy in monsteras than overwatering. But prolonged droughts will cause stress. Here are signs your monstera needs more frequent watering:
- Wilting or drooping leaves
- Brown crispy leaf tips and edges
- Thin, wrinkled, papery leaves
- Dry, shriveled soil
- Slow growth
Give the plant a thorough bottom watering to deeply saturate the roots. This should revive it within a day or two. Increase watering frequency if underwatering continues.
Environmental Factors That Impact Watering
Light, humidity, temperature, and other environmental factors influence how often monsteras need irrigation. Here’s how each affects your watering routine:
Light – Monsteras in brighter light need more frequent watering as the soil dries out faster. Plants in low light can go longer between waterings.
Temperature – Warmer temperatures cause quicker moisture evaporation from soil, so water more often in heat. Cooler temps mean less frequent watering.
Humidity – Low humidity increases the rate of soil drying. Boost humidity around the plant or water more often.
Season – In spring and summer, water more often to keep up with growth. In fall and winter, reduce watering frequency.
Air circulation – Stagnant air leads to slower soil drying. Improve air flow so you water less often.
Pot size – Larger pots retain more moisture. Small pots need more frequent watering.
Growth rate – Fast growing monsteras need frequent watering. Slow growing plants need less.
Providing Proper Moisture
Caring for a monstera mainly comes down to providing consistent moisture without overdoing it. With well-draining soil and attentive watering based on signs from your plant, you can easily keep your monstera happy and prevent drought stress or root rot.
Aim for thorough weekly watering, allowing the top few inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Ramp up frequency in warm months and reduce in winter. Add pebble trays or misting to boost the humidity monsteras love. With these simple tips, your monstera will flourish for years to come!
How Much Water Do They Need?
It is recommended to water the Monstera until excess water begins to flow out of the drainage holes.
With any houseplants, including Monsteras, there isn’t a measurable amount of water you need to use each time. There’s no need to pull out a measuring jug, no recipe to follow to get it right. You only need to water until the soil is completely saturated as long as you used the right soil mix.
The general advice is to water until the excess starts leaking from the drainage holes. However, this doesn’t tell the full story. To make sure you’re watering correctly, you need to make sure that the soil is wet all over, not just in one spot.
If the soil is packed down or drier than usual, water may not reach the roots but instead run off the soil and down the sides of the pot. You should keep watering until there are no more dry spots in the soil. Make sure you water all sides of the pot equally.
One popular watering method that has spread across social media is bottom watering. This involves placing the pot in a bucket or sink filled with water for around 30 minutes and allowing the soil to absorb as much water as it needs from below.
This method ensures even saturation in the soil, especially if the soil is compacted. But bottom watering shouldn’t be the only method used.
When you water from the top and let the extra water drain, you also get rid of salts that can build up in the soil from using too much fertilizer or watering for a long time with tap water. The roots can get hurt over time by these salts, so taking them off often is important to keep your Monstera from having problems in the future.
Water from the top every third or fourth time if you like to water from the bottom. This will keep the plant healthy all around.
How Often Do Monsteras Need Water?
It is recommended to keep the Monstera constantly moist and water once every 1-2 weeks.
If you live in well-drained soil, you’ll need to water your Monstera about once every two to three weeks. This rough estimate will depend on a number of environmental factors, some of which are listed below, as well as how well the plant works. Because of this, you should always check the soil around your plant instead of setting a reminder to water it once a week no matter how wet the soil is.
To prevent waterlogging, the soil should be allowed to dry out slightly before watering again. Even if it’s been a week, you don’t need to water your plant if the top layer of soil is still clearly wet. Before you get out your watering can, check to see how dry the soil is deeper down if it looks dry.
You can lightly dig into the soil or lift the pot to get a sense of the weight to see how wet the soil is. Once the top third of the soil has dried out, water your Monstera again. This is only true if the soil drains well and the pot has enough drainage holes to let any extra water drain out. This lets the roots get enough oxygen.
How to Water a Monstera.
FAQ
How do I know if my Monstera needs water?
Do Monstera deliciosa like lots of water?
Should I water Monstera from top or bottom?
How much sun does a Monstera need?
How often should I water my Monstera?
It is recommended to keep the Monstera constantly moist and water once every 1-2 weeks. To maintain consistent moisture in well-draining soil, you’ll need to water your Monstera once every 1-2 weeks or so. This general estimate will depend on a number of environmental factors (mentioned below) and the performance of the plant.
Do Monstera plants need a lot of water?
If your Monstera soil is dense, you will need to water it less. However, it may retain too much moisture and leave the roots sitting in waterlogged soil. On the other hand, lighter potting soil mixes will drain quicker and your Monstera plant might need more frequent watering as a result.
How do you water a Monstera plant?
Keep watering your Monstera plant until water runs freely through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and the soil is visibly moist in the pot. This way, you make sure you are thoroughly wetting the soil and water will reach the roots. Allow the water to drain for 10 to 15 minutes and then empty the saucer or cachepot.
How much water does monsteras need?
Like most houseplants, Monsteras doesn’t need a specific amount of water. You just need to ensure that water fully saturates the soil, not only the top layer. A general rule of thumb is to water your plant until extra water starts draining from drainage holes.