You just received your Monstera Variegata but you're not quite sure how to take care of her properly? We've got you! With this care guide we'll teach you all the tips and tricks to keep your new plant happy!
Monstera's To-Do's:
Very modest watering
She likes it when the soil dries out completely in between watering. There is no golden rule like “once a week”, it all depends on your plant and the environment she is in. A neat trick to know if your plant needs water is to lift the pot and tell by weight if there is still water available. If the soil is still wet, the pot should feel slightly heavier, when almost dry it becomes quite light. This technique requires some training but is foolproof.
Bright indirect light
Her big leaves like a lot of light, but no direct sun as it may cause burns (especially on the white parts). So don’t put her close to a south facing window because the plant will start suffering.
Humidity
Because Monstera's are tropical plants by nature, moisture in the air is crucial for their longevity. It will also help to keep the variegated parts pretty and white. We recommend to aim for +60% humidity. You can achieve this by adding moisture trays underneath your plant or adding a humidifier to the room.
Coziness
This plant loves to be snug in the pot, meaning that roots take quite some space in the pot. She will be fine in the pot she was shipped in until repotting season next spring, even though it might look like she is growing out of it.
Monstera Don'ts
Wet feet
If the soil is wet, don’t water her! You can use your fingers to check the wetness of the soil or use the aforementioned pot lifting technique. If there is still water in the soil, do not water it just yet. Overwatering is the most common mistake plant-owners make.
Misting/Spraying
When water keeps sitting on the leaves, these will get damaged, and all the pretty white will turn brown. When dust is setteling it's better to whipe the leaves down with a damp cloth.
Draft
She catches a cold quite easily, so make sure she is not standing in a drafty area (close to doors or windows). In winter this is also valid for radiators and other sources of heating, Hot or cold drafts will cause the microclimate around the leaves to diminish, which leaves the plant more susceptible to other stresses.
Stress
After all the shipping stress she endured, give her some time to get used to her new environment. Avoid any extra stress and don't repot her straight away or move her around a lot.
Good luck!
With these tips your new Monstera variegata should feel right at home. For more specific care-guides you can always visit our website and ‘Care and Maintenance’ blog posts!