Summary: To keep your Monstera healthy, water it deeply without soaking the roots, fertilize it regularly, provide plenty of humidity, and clean the leaves. You can encourage new growth by pruning the plant. When choosing a Monstera, pick a non-variegated plant.
How do I make Monstera plant grow more leaves?
Most petite houseplants look adorable in a small pot, but when the time comes to prune them or replenish their soil, it’s far from easy to find the skill set necessary to do the task successfully. Monstera plants are no different – aside from the fact that they’re absolutely stunning and grow rapidly.
Like most members of the Avocado family, Monstera plants are native to the neotropics. Also like avocados, Monstera plants are extremely easy to grow. While the latter can take years to mature and produce a giant fruit, Monstera plants are ready to bear fruit as soon as they’re planted!
In case you’re wondering, the best way to tell the difference between a real Monstera plant and a fake is by looking at the leaves – the real ones are oblong, while the fake varieties are usually heart-shaped.
What is limiting the growth of my Monstera plant?
Like most houseplants, Monstera plants are not fussy, so you can grow them in almost any conditions. However, for the best flowering and fruiting, the soil must be well-drained and enriched with organic matter. In addition, the ambient temperature needs to be between 70 – 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Soil that has been recently vacated or has been lying fallow for a long time around an area where there is a lot of direct sunlight will make your plant grow more leaves than usual.
How can I make my Monstera plant grow more leaves?
Apart from the obvious answer of just planting more of them, there is actually a trick that will make your Monstera grow considerably faster than usual! All you need to do is apply for the services of a home vine or root-cutting treatment. A lot of nurseries offer these services, or you can contact an amateur garden center for advice. Root cuttings are easy to take care of, and depending on how many you have, you’ll soon be rewarded with healthy and lush foliage!
As we mentioned above, one of the best ways to uproot a Monstera plant is by using a knife. Working your way downwards, you’ll sever the anchor roots that the plant may have around a tree or other support structures. Once you’ve detached them, you can replant the whole thing in a bigger pot or in the ground. The best part is that this is usually a minimally invasive solution that requires almost no time or effort on your part. So, if you’re looking for an easy way to nourish your houseplants, this is the answer you’re searching for!
Should I trim the bottoms of my Monstera plant leaves to improve air circulation?
Yes, you should! Just like the rest of your houseplants, trimming the bottoms of your Monstera leaves will help to improve air circulation around the leaves. However, make sure that you don’t trim off more than two inches from the bottom of the leaf, as you don’t want to damage the plant’s ability to photosynthesize. Some people even recommend cutting the tips off to encourage more branching, so if you really want to improve air circulation and prevent disease, this is your chance!
When should I deadhead my Monstera plant?
Some type of flower removal is always a good idea, especially if you’re growing the plant in an outdoor garden, as you don’t want to overuse the soil where it’s been growing for a while. However, you don’t need to remove all of the flowers – just the worst offenders! You can either use a pair of snips, or gently pull them off with your fingernails. Again, this is something you need to do on a regular basis to keep your plant healthy and thriving!
What type of fertilizer should I use on my Monstera plant?
Your houseplants will thank you for providing them with a healthy diet by regularly feeding them with a fertilizer that’s rich in nitrogen. You should be applying it every month or every other month, depending on what type of fertilizer you opt for. Some people even suggest that you should apply a small amount of fertilizer near the base of each leaf, to encourage more growth!
If you’ve never fed your houseplants before, start out simple – apply some chicken manure and a sprinkling of fish emulsion.
As you become more experienced in caring for your houseplants, you can gradually introduce them to more intricate fertilizer mixtures. Try out different recipes to find one that suits your needs best! If you want your houseplants to grow bigger and healthier leaves, apply some fertilizer now!