How Often To Water Monstera Plants?

Do you know how often to water Monstera plants? It’s super easy to do. We’ll also go into what happens if you overwater your Monstera plants.

Monstera plants come in a variety of species but the most common is the Monstera deliciosa or the Monstera adansonii (also famously known as the swiss cheese plant).

Monstera plants are popular among gardening enthusiasts for their show-stopper foliage.

These indoor houseplants are easy-to-care-for with large, green, glossy leaves with splits and holes.

They are native to South and Central America, so it makes sense that it grows well in indirect sunny, humid conditions.

While it isn’t challenging to care for Monstera plants, there are a few tips to keep in mind.

We’ll refer to the Monstera deliciosa plant in this post, but keep in mind you can apply the same methods to other types of Monstera plants.

How to Water Monstera Deliciosa Plants

The Monstera plant doesn’t like to be overly moist or too dry, rather it prefers moderate watering.

Overwatering may lead to fungal growth or root rot. Root rot is a severe plant issue that needs to be addressed immediately.

If you suspect that there is root rot you can follow our guide on how to deal with plants with root rot.

Yellowing leaves are often a sign of excess water. Control the house plants watering when the leaf start to turn yellow because of over-watering.

Keep a check on the water to maintain the health of your house plants.

On the other hand, under-watering can lead to droopy, crispy leaves, which is especially disheartening on house plants with such unique foliage.

Thoroughly watering once, a week should work fine, but the exact watering schedule will depend on several factors that we’ll cover next.

Factors That Affect How You Water Monstera Deliciosa

Sun Light

Monstera deliciosa is a tropical plant that grows best in part-shade, with bright, indirect light.

It can also grow in low light, but this isn’t ideal so any new growth can be stunted in less light.

Similarly, direct sun isn’t ideal as it could cause the leaves to dry out and burn. 

If you notice stunted growth in the plant, move it to a spot that receives more light. And if you notice brown spots on the leaves, it’s likely because it is kept in direct sunlight.

Monstera deliciosa will need more water outdoors compared to when indoors.

This is because of humidity levels, temperatures, and the amount of sunlight.

Climate

Depending on your specific climate, your Monstera plant may require more specific and attentive watering routines.

Monstera deliciosa are tropical plants that thrives in a humid environment similar to its natural habitat.

Monstera plants usually like warm temperatures in the range of 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit (15-30 degrees Celcius).

If you live in a region with high temperatures and low humidity, then you’ll need to water your plant more frequently to keep the soil moderately saturated.

You can also manufacture a humid environment by placing a water-filled saucer underneath the container which will act as a humidifier.

Misting the plant helps to keep the air humid in dry areas.

Alternately, if you live in a region with high humidity levels, your Monstera plant will need less water compared to drier areas.

Season

You’ll need to water the plant more in the summer and less in the winter.

This is due to two factors:

1. The soil tends to dry out faster in the warmer months
2. The growing season of Monstera deliciosa is from spring to fall.

Due to both of these, additional water is needed.

In the cooler months, the Monstera deliciosa goes into a dormancy stage where watering isn’t as crucial.

Plant size

The size of your Monstera plant also determines the frequency that you’ll need to water it.

The larger it is, the more water it can absorb and retain, meaning that you can water it less frequently.

Meanwhile the smaller it is the more water it will require to grow and the more frequently it’ll need to be watered.

Pot size and Drainage

The amount of soil inside your pot also determines the watering need for the Monstera deliciosa. The larger the pot the more soil it holds, and with that the more water it can reserve.

This means that if you have a large pot that is sufficiently saturated regularly and kept in a humid climate, the less frequently you’ll need to water your Monstera plant.

Drainage is important to keep in mind when selecting a container for your Monstera deliciosa. The number of drainage holes determines how saturated the soil gets and stays.

They not only drain the excess water but also prevent the soggy soil. If your pot lacks drainage holes, then you need to be more diligent to not over-water.

There should be at least one drainage hole in your container.

It’s advised to use a terracotta pot instead of the plastic one because it has a better drainage capacity.

Type of Soil for Monstera Deliciosa Plants

Monstera deliciosa needs a well-draining soil mix to thrive. If you notice consistently soggy soil, then mix in some gravel or sand or, perlite to aid in drainage.

Don’t let the potting soil remain soggy for too long. Otherwise, the roots will rot.

You should water less when your Monstera is planted in moist, loamy soil. Let the soil dry out slightly between watering sessions.

We typically use a general indoor planting soil for our Monstera plants. We particularly like this potting soil mix as it contains some minerals for indoor plants and it’s a general-purpose use potting mix. No need to get complicated on this one.

Best Way to Water a Monstera Deliciosa

The best way to water your Monstera plant is by applying room temperature water to the soil directly.

This can be done by putting the plant in a sink and using either tap water or distilled water to saturate the soil while avoiding wetting the leaves.

Slowly add tap water until it runs through the soil and out of the drainage holes on the base of the pot.

Monstera plants don’t like to be overwatered, so make sure that the soil is thoroughly dry before watering.

The amount of water will depend upon the size of your pot, the light in which the container is kept, the season, etc.

But follow one general rule to water all the plants, water until it comes out of the pot from below.

A good practice to maintain is to clean the Monstera deliciosa leaves with a damp cloth to maintain moisture and avoid pests and insects.

How Do I Know if My Monstera Deliciosa Needs Water?

While watering once a week should be adequate for your Monstera deliciosa, there are signs that this watering routine could be too much or too little for your plant.

If you notice any of the below-mentioned points, it may be time to water your Monstera plants.

Ignoring these signs could slow down the growth of your Monstera plants.

Droopy Leaves

While drooping leaves, wrinkled leaves are often a sign of overwatering, in Monstera plants, it could signal the case that the plant is thirsty.

Additionally, irregular watering needs to be addressed as it may be the cause of curling leaves.

Brown and Crispy Leaf Edges

Dark brown spots and crispy leaves are also a sign of a struggling plant; this could be either from too much sun, too little water, or a combination of both.

Dry Soil

If you notice that the topsoil has been dry for more than two to three days, then it is time to water your Monstera deliciosa. If the soil feels moist to touch, wait for a few days before watering.

You can check the dryness of your soil by dipping your finger or skewer into the soil to a depth of about 2 to 3 inches.

If your finger or skewer comes out without any ticking soil, it indicates that the soil is dry and needs water.

Wet Pot

The pot’s bottom lets you determine whether the soil is wet or dry; if the shade of the bottom pot is dark, it means the soil is still moist.

Using a Moisture Meter to Measure the Right Amount of Water me

A sure-fire way to know when it’s time to water your Monstera deliciosa is by using a moisture meter to measure soil moisture level.

Insert the meter halfway through the pot, and if the value reads above 3, water the plant. 

It’s important to allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions.

You can check when your Monstera plant is ready to be watered by touching the soil, if it feels dry to touch then you can water your plant. If the soil is still moist, then you need to wait.

We, however, recommend using a self-watering planter or pot. For most of our indoor houseplants, we use this self-watering pot. It’s super easy to set up and we don’t have to worry about watering our plants on a regular schedule.

Conclusion

A Monstera deliciosa is the perfect plant for almost any plant collection with other plants in either indoor or outdoor settings due to its durability and accommodating nature.

While it is easy to care for Monstera plants, the plant’s watering needs still require attention to provide adequate water care.

Now that you know how to water a Monstera deliciosa, add this sturdy and easy-going plant to your home garden.

Related post: How To Propagate Monstera Plants: 3 Ways to Propagate Monstera Plants

References

• Cooperative Extension Service. (2013). Light and Moisture Requirements
  For Selected Indoor Plants. University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station.
• UConn Home and Garden Education Center. (2020). Monstera deliciosa. University of Connecticut Extension, Home & Garden Education Center.
• About/mentions: Monstera, houseplant care