How Often Should You Water a Monstera?
Proper monstera care goes beyond a weekly schedule. Learn to interpret your plant's needs to provide the right amount of water every time.
Providing a calendar-based answer like “once a week” for watering a Monstera is a mistake that can lead to an unhealthy plant. A rigid schedule fails to account for your home’s unique conditions and the plant’s needs as they change through the seasons. A thriving Monstera depends on learning to recognize when it is thirsty, which allows you to provide water precisely when needed.
Key Factors Influencing Watering Frequency
The amount of light a Monstera receives impacts its water consumption. Plants in bright, indirect light use more water, causing the soil to dry out quickly. A Monstera in a lower-light area will have slower growth and lower water needs. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, as their native habitat is under the canopy of larger trees.
Your plant’s needs change with the seasons. During the spring and summer, Monsteras are in an active growth phase and require more water. As daylight hours shorten in the fall and winter, the plant enters dormancy and growth slows. During this resting phase, its water usage decreases, so you must reduce watering frequency.
The temperature and humidity in your home affect how quickly soil dries. Higher temperatures and low humidity, common with indoor heating, increase a plant’s need for water. Since Monsteras are native to humid rainforests, they are accustomed to a moist environment, but not a waterlogged one.
The pot’s type and size affect the watering schedule. A plant in a small pot will dry out faster than one in a larger pot. Porous materials like terracotta also cause soil to dry rapidly. In contrast, plastic or glazed ceramic pots are non-porous and retain moisture for longer.
The composition of the potting mix is another factor. A well-aerating, chunky soil mix with components like bark or perlite allows water to drain freely. This type of mix may require more frequent watering than a denser soil, which can hold moisture for too long and suffocate the roots.
How to Check if Your Monstera Needs Water
A reliable way to determine if your Monstera needs water is by manually checking the soil. Insert your finger about two to three inches into the potting mix. If the soil feels dry at that depth, it is time to water. If you feel moisture, wait a few more days and check again.
Another method is to gauge the weight of the pot. A pot with moist soil will be noticeably heavier than a pot with dry soil. Lifting the pot can be a quick check to confirm what the finger test tells you.
A soil moisture meter is another option. These devices are inserted into the soil and provide a reading of the moisture level. While a meter can offer extra assurance, learning to read the plant’s needs through observation is a sustainable skill.
The Correct Way to Water Your Monstera
When your Monstera is dry, water it thoroughly using the “soak and dry” method. Pour water slowly and evenly over the soil surface until it flows freely from the drainage holes. This ensures the entire root ball has access to moisture, encouraging deep root growth.
A pot with drainage holes is necessary for a Monstera. Without an escape route, water will pool at the bottom, leading to root rot as the roots cannot get oxygen. If your decorative pot lacks holes, keep the plant in a plastic nursery pot with drainage and place it inside.
After watering, do not let the plant sit in collected runoff. Allow the pot to drain for about 15 to 20 minutes, then discard any water that has accumulated in the saucer. This prevents the roots from becoming waterlogged.
Signs of Overwatering and Underwatering
Overwatering is a common issue with signs that can be confusing. A symptom is the yellowing of lower leaves, which often feel soft, not crispy. You might also see mushy, dark brown or black spots on the leaves and stems. A musty smell from the soil is an indicator of root rot, where roots are suffocating.
The signs of an underwatered Monstera are more straightforward. An obvious indication is drooping or wilting leaves that look limp but perk up after watering. You may also notice the leaf edges turning brown and feeling crispy. In prolonged dryness, the soil may pull away from the pot’s sides, and new growth may slow or stop.