Monstera Peru Plant Care Guide and Profile

Instructions

Soil Preference:

1. Monstera Peru prefer well draining soil. The roots will rot quickly if they sit in moist soil.
2. A homemade aroid soil mix of 1/2 potting soil and 1/2 peat moss or coco fiber is a good mix for monsteras
3. Make sure your pot has drainage at the bottom. Do not use a pot with no drainage hole for this plant.
4. A heavy soil potting mix is not recommended for Monsteras

Pot Size and Type:

1. The monstera peru can grow in many different kinds of pots, I like to plant mine in terra cotta pots with a drainage hole.
2. Repot every second year or when roots come out the drainage holes on the pot bottom. Don't jump to a huge pot from a small one. Just go to the next size up pot.

Lighting:

1. The Monstera Peru will be happiest in moderate indirect light. It will also grow just fine in lower light conditions, but the growth will be slower.
2. Some filtered sunlight from a window may be appreciated in this circumstance.
3. Make sure the Monstera Peru isn't sitting in constant direct sunlight. The leaves can burn.

Watering:

1. Water your monstera when the soil is dry at least an inch down. These aroid plants are typically drought resistant and can withstand longer periods of dryness compared to other houseplants. Every two weeks should be fine.
2. Watering is best done on a regular schedule so the plant is not over or under watered. Both can cause stress on the plant.
3. In dormant winter months reduce watering to when the soil is dry.
4. Never let this plant get wet feet. This plant is susceptible to root rot and fungus gnats in heavy moist soils.

How to Fertilize:

1. Apply a good quality fertilizer (linked in materials) monthly through Spring and summer.
2. Decrease feedings by late Fall and allow this plant to rest through the winter months.

Temperature:

1. The monstera plant will do best in temperatures between 65-85 degrees F.

Pests:

1. The monstera peru is a hardy resilient plant. However all plants can get attacked by pests.
2. Stress by longterm overwatering, poor light, extreme temperatures and soil conditions are contributors to plant stress..
3. Spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, thrips and whitefly are the most common houseplant pests you will see.
4. Read our post on How to get rid of aphids and other pests with our homemade pesticide soap recipe or neems oil.
5. To minimize the possibility of pests be sure to check all nursery plants before bringing them home.
6. Quarantine all new plants until you are sure no pests live in them.

How to Propagate:

1. Cut stem in the internodal spacing using sterile scissors
2. Choose a stem that is 6-8 inches long with several nodes
3. Place in water with nodes down in the water and leaf up
4. After several weeks roots will grow
5. Plant in soil when roots are 2-3 inches long