Summary: A Monstera needs water when the soil is dry, the stems droop or sag, the leaves curl or are discolored, and there is a lack of new leaves with fenestrations. Test the soil before watering to confirm if now is the right time to water the plant.
How do I know if my Monstera needs water?
Cultivated just within the past century in the South American country of Brazil, the amazing Monstera plant is truly a sight to behold. Not only are its leaves some of the most unique and colourful in the world, but the whole plant itself exudes an extraordinary perfume that most people can’t resist.
It’s no wonder the plant has gained such popularity, as its very existence seems to defy the very nature of conventional gardening. You see, the foliage of the Monstera is practically water-resistant, with even the thinnest layer acting as a shield against the harmful rays of the sun. This makes the plant both tough and unique.
So how can you tell if your Monstera needs water? Simple! Just check the bottoms of its leaves. If they’re dry, then it needs more water. You can also feel certain that it needs a drink if the leaves look wilted.
To be frank, the Monstera is one of the trickiest plants to keep alive. This is mainly due to the fact that it’s relatively difficult to grow, and even harder to keep healthy. As such, it’s a real treat when you do achieve both of those things, as it usually takes a lot of patience and some know-how.
Where does it come from?
As the name would suggest, the Monstera literally comes from Latin America. It was first cultured in the wild in the Amazon rainforests before being collected and taken to Europe in the 19th century to be sold as a novelty. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that people started to realise how unique this plant was, and realised its potential to be used in horticulture.
The name ‘Monstera’ originates from a short story called ‘The Walpi’, which was later turned into a 1936 French film. The film’s art director was Georges Méliès, who also designed the famous cinema-themed films ‘A Trip To The Moon’ and ‘Star Wars’.
If you’re wondering how and why the plant got its unusual name, it’s actually a combination of two words: ‘monster’ and ‘arum’. The former is a reference to the plant’s leaf-like appearance, while the latter is a type of flower that mimics the grotesque contortions of a mythical monster, hence the plant’s common name, ‘arum lily’.
How big is it?
Depending on the variety, the Monstera can grow up to three metres in height. However, it usually takes several years for the plant to reach its adult form, and by that time, you’ll be hard-pressed to recognise it as the same species. It has an unwieldy quality to it that makes it difficult to tame. This is also one of the reasons why it’s so difficult to keep healthy; without careful pruning, the plant will grow to extreme heights that could topple over at any minute.
One good thing about the Monstera is that it doesn’t need a lot of space. It can easily be cultivated in a small garden or pot. It also doesn’t need a lot of attention, and can hence be left to grow naturally without any human interference.
The above-ground part of the plant can be used as a tool for climbing. As such, it’s relatively easy to access the foliage, which is usually a good thing, as you can use the plant’s hooks to lift yourself upwards.
How does it grow?
The Monstera is a succulent plant, which means its body is made up of a great deal of water. As such, it needs to be watered regularly to keep its leaves hydrated, otherwise it will wilt quickly. It also needs to be pruned regularly so that it doesn’t become too top-heavy, as you definitely don’t want to be reaching for a ladder every time you need to water it.
The plant is extremely sensitive to cold and heat, so you need to ensure the environmental conditions in which it grows are just right. For example, if you live in a cold climate, then you’ll need to be sure that your pots and garden are always kept warm. Alternatively, if you live in a hot climate, then you’ll need to make sure that your pots and garden are always kept cool.
So, as you can see, the Monstera is actually quite a tricky plant to look after. Since it doesn’t mind the sun or the shade, you’ll need to find a location in which to position your garden or pot that receives plenty of light, but not so much as to damage your plant’s foliage.
When does it flower?
The flower of the Monstera typically emerges as bright red buds, which slowly unfurl to reveal a stunning array of bright red, bell-like flowers. Depending on the variety, the blooming period can range from four to seven weeks.
It’s quite the striking sight when the buds finally open, as they emerge at nearly the same time but aren’t fully grown for another month or so. As blossoms age, they gradually turn yellow, before falling off and being replaced by new buds.
If you cut the head off a female variety of the Monstera, then you’ll be able to see the yellow stamens inside, as they’re not yet fully developed. This is probably the only way to determine the sex of the plant, as the blossoms don’t reveal much about it otherwise.
What are the seeds like?
The seeds of the Monstera are very small and almost insignificant in size. As such, they’re quite easy to manage, as you’ll only need to take care of the initial planting before leaving it to its own devices. The above-ground part of the plant will act as a source of food for any small animals that might try and eat it. This is mainly due to the fact that the herbaceous vine produces edible and inedible shoots alike. It’s commonly found across temperate regions of the world, thriving in locations such as North America and Europe.
It’s possible to grow the Monstera from seeds, as they can be easily obtained from established plants. However, the wait for the seeds to germinate, as well as the subsequent process of potting them up, is quite protracted. It’s generally easier to find a plant in its adult form and cut it down whenever you need new shoots.
What are the fruits like?
The small red fruits that emerge from the vine-like plant are extremely sour and astringent, in the same way that raspberries are. However, while the raspberry tends to keep its individual fruits, the large-born Monstera tends to form large clusters of tiny fruits that are almost like berries but lack the sweetness of conventional ones. It’s quite a peculiar trait and is one of the reasons behind the plant’s extraordinary popularity, particularly in South America.
The fruits are extremely tart and are hence used in a variety of ways. They can be eaten straight from the cluster, with the pulp typically used to make a red wine-like substance. Alternatively, they can be used to make a jelly-like substance, similar to the renowned grenadine. You can also grind the whole fruit up and use it as a spice in your food.
The taste of the fruits is reminiscent of a combination of lime and grapefruit, with a faint hint of ginger thrown in as well. It’s a bit like an acquired taste, but those who grow the Monstera and are fortunate enough to be able to sample its fruits say it is quite pleasing to the palate. In any case, the fruits are a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants, which together make it a very healthy addition to any diet.
It’s been said that the fruits of the Monstera can be used as a natural pesticide. This is mainly because the acidic nature of the fruits causes them to deteriorate rapidly when exposed to air and light. When this happens, the whole fruit turns a vibrant red colour, and its sweet, citrusy scent is released, prompting any insects that were previously feeding on it to evacuate the area with all speed.
Is it poisonous?
Like most other plants on this list, the Monstera is not actually poisonous, but it is very toxic. It can cause rashes and irritation to the skin if eaten. The most poisonous variety of the plant is known as the ‘Brazilian Ruby’, and its red colour is derived from the presence of anthraquinones. When these chemicals are digested by the human body, they temporarily disable the function of an organ known as the ‘renal tubule’. Ingestion of the Brazilian Ruby can hence lead to kidney damage, which in severe cases, can prove fatal.