How to Water a Monstera

Okay, so you’ve determined that your monstera is ready for a drink. How much water do you give it? And how?

We find that the best way to water your monstera is to put it in the sink or use a watering can to slowly add water until it starts to run out the drainage holes. Empty the drainage tray immediately.

Don’t soak the soil, and continue to empty the drainage tray as excess water runs out.

Try not to get the leaves wet. Instead, add water to the soil instead of dumping over the top of the plant.

Remember, drainage is key.

Monsteras don’t like to be over-watered, so make sure your pot has excellent drainage and that the soil drains quickly. If the soil is compacted or water doesn’t empty into the tray, you might need to switch to a soil that drains better.

Make sure you get the light right as well.

It’s also important to make sure that your monstera gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight, which will help it use water efficiently and dry out in a timely matter. Otherwise, your monstera might stay wet for too long and develop root rot.

More Monstera Watering Tips:

Use room-temperature filtered water when watering your plants, or let the water sit out overnight so chemicals like chlorine can evaporate.

You may need to water less in the winter, so always check the soil before you add more water. Plan on watering weekly to every other week in the summer and every few weeks in the winter.

It’s better to slightly under-water your monstera than over-water it. You can add more water, but removing water is a lot harder!

Signs your monstera is over-watered:

Dark brown spots on leaves

Yellowing leaves

Mold on the surface of the soil

Mushy stems

Signs your monstera is under-watered:

Drooping leaves

Wrinkled, crispy leaves

Yellowing with dry brown spots

Soil pulling from the edges of the pot

Watering your monstera isn’t hard! The trick is to start things off on the right foot with the right soil and a pot with drainage, and keep close tabs on your soil to monitor the moisture level. Your plant will tell you if it’s getting too much or not enough.