Delicious Monster

Also known as: Swiss Cheese Plant

Flowers in: Does not flower

Light requirements: Full Shade

Max Height: 3m

Delicious Monster
Delicious Monster - Image 2
Delicious Monster - Image 3
About Delicious Monster
The Delicious Monster, scientifically known as Monstera deliciosa, is a tropical plant native to Central and South America, famous for its large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves with natural holes or fenestrations. Often grown as an indoor plant for its ornamental value, it can reach up to 2.5-3 meters in height under indoor conditions. It prefers a warm, humid environment with bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, and regular watering that allows the top layer of soil to dry out between watering sessions. Known for being an air-purifying plant, it also produces a fruit that tastes like a combination of banana, pineapple, and mango when fully ripe.
Water Requirements
Generally requires watering once a week. However, this may change depending on the humidity and light levels in its environment. The top inch or two of soil should be allowed to dry out between watering sessions. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's better to err on the side of under watering. Yellowing leaves can be a sign of too much water. During winter months, the plant usually needs less water. A well-draining soil mixture also helps prevent overwatering.
Soil Requirements

Monstera deliciosa plants prefer well-draining soil that can hold some moisture but never becomes soggy. A good potting mix might be a peat-based potting soil with perlite or sand added to improve drainage.

Fertilising Requirements

Monstera deliciosa generally has modest fertilizing requirements. It’s not a heavy feeder, but it does appreciate consistent nutrition during its active growing season.

  1. When to Fertilize: Fertilize your Monstera during its active growing season, typically from spring through early fall. During this period, fertilize once a month or every six weeks. During the winter months, when growth slows down, you can stop fertilizing.
  2. What Kind of Fertilizer: Use a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. “Balanced” means it has equal parts Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), and Potassium (K), like a 20-20-20 mix. You could also opt for a formulation with a slightly higher proportion of nitrogen, which encourages leafy growth.
  3. How to Apply: Dilute the fertilizer to half the strength recommended on the packaging to avoid over-fertilizing, which can burn the roots and damage the plant. Always apply fertilizer to damp soil, never dry, to prevent root burn.
  4. Signs of Over or Under Fertilizing: If the leaves of your Monstera start to yellow, it may be a sign of over-fertilizing. If growth seems slow during the growing season even with proper light and water, it might need more fertilizer.

Remember to also provide plenty of bright, indirect light and water properly, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. With good care, Monstera deliciosa can be a beautiful and easy-to-care-for addition to your indoor plant collection.

Special Instructions

In the wild, Monstera deliciosa is a fast-growing plant and can become quite large. As a houseplant, it will also grow rapidly under the right conditions and can benefit from regular pruning. It’s also a climbing plant, so many indoor gardeners use a moss pole or other support to help manage its growth.

Interesting Information

The plant is known for its distinctively perforated leaves that have natural holes, known as fenestrations. This feature is quite rare among plants and is thought to help the plant withstand strong winds and maximize sun exposure in its natural habitat.

Monstera deliciosa