Monstera
Monstera deliciosa · also called Swiss cheese plant, split-leaf philodendron
Foliage and indoor
- Light
- Part sun
- Pot size
- Large pot (more than 15 litres)
- Care level
- Moderate
- Year round or seasonal
- Kept year to year; in a pot, keep it above about 15.6 °C (60 °F)
- Pets
- ASPCA: toxic to pets
Light and position
Moderate brightness but not direct sun; variegated forms need more light.
Size and pot
NC State says it is usually 6 to 8 feet in homes. Our pot band: large pot (more than 15 litres).
Watering
Water thoroughly, then let the top quarter to third of the soil dry before watering again.
Potting mix and feeding
A mix rich in organic matter. Give it a sturdy support so heavy stems do not break.
Growing through the year
Prefers 60 to 85 °F and high humidity. Prune or repot in the main growing season.
Winter outdoors
Cold limit in a pot: about 15.6 °C (60 °F). NC State says it prefers an average warm temperature of 60 to 85 °F; we use the bottom of that range, 60 °F, as its limit.
| Your coldest winter nights | What to do |
|---|---|
| Coldest nights 15 °C or warmer | Move it to shelter before nights fall to 15.6 °C |
| Coldest nights 10 to 15 °C | Move it to shelter before nights fall to 15.6 °C |
| Coldest nights 5 to 10 °C | Move it to shelter before nights fall to 15.6 °C |
| Coldest nights 0 to 5 °C | Move it to shelter before nights fall to 15.6 °C |
| Light frost: nights down to about −5 °C | Move it to shelter before nights fall to 15.6 °C |
| Hard frost: nights below −5 °C | Move it to shelter before nights fall to 15.6 °C |
A plant can stay out only when its limit is below the coldest night in your band; a limit equal to that night counts as needing shelter. A rare cold snap, wind or a wet pot can still damage plants. We convert °F to °C with NIST’s formula.
Watch for
Scale insects; the sap can irritate skin.
Pets and people
ASPCA lists Monstera deliciosa as toxic to dogs, cats and horses (insoluble calcium oxalates). Signs include mouth pain and swelling, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.
General gardening information, not professional advice. Plant toxicity details are a starting point, not veterinary or medical advice: if a pet or child may have eaten a plant, contact a veterinarian or doctor promptly.
Care level: NC State’s maintenance rating (Medium). Pot band and summary wording are ours, based on the sources below.