Houseplants, plant guide
How to feed a monstera.
When a Swiss cheese plant needs feeding, how often, what with, and the problems a feed will not fix.
- WhenWhile it is growing
- How oftenAbout monthly
- WinterLittle or none
Feed it while it is putting out leaves
A monstera grows from spring into autumn and slows right down in winter. These months follow the RHS for leafy houseplants. New leaves unfurling are the best sign it is ready.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feed about monthly | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: yes | June: yes | July: yes | August: yes | September: yes | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| While new leaves are coming. The RHS allows into October for leafy plants. | ||||||||||||
| Keep just moist, no feed | January: yes | February: yes | March: no | April: no | May: no | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: yes | November: yes | December: yes |
| Growth slows with the light. Water less and leave the feed out. | ||||||||||||
| Repot if root-bound | January: no | February: no | March: yes | April: yes | May: yes | June: no | July: no | August: no | September: no | October: no | November: no | December: no |
| Spring, as growth picks up. Then wait before feeding. | ||||||||||||
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Feed about monthly
March to SeptemberWhile new leaves are coming. The RHS allows into October for leafy plants.
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Keep just moist, no feed
January to February, October to DecemberGrowth slows with the light. Water less and leave the feed out.
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Repot if root-bound
March to MaySpring, as growth picks up. Then wait before feeding.
A bar shows the months when this usually happens in a heated UK home.
Get these right, and the feed can do its job
Feed only helps a monstera that has the light, water and warmth to use it. General guidance from the RHS.
Light: bright, but not direct
Bright, indirect light. A spot near a window that does not get hot midday sun on the leaves suits it well.
- BestBright, indirect light
- AvoidHot direct sun on the leaves
Water: with the growth
Water while it is growing, letting excess drain away. In winter keep the compost just moist.
- GrowingWater regularly
- WinterJust moist
Warmth and humidity
It is a tender plant that likes warmth and moderate to high humidity, so keep it away from cold draughts and from blasts of dry heat off a radiator.
- HumidityModerate to high
- AvoidDraughts and radiators
Compost and support
The RHS suggests a peat-free, loam-based potting compost. In the wild it climbs using its aerial roots, so a sturdy pole or cane gives a bigger plant something to lean on.
- CompostPeat-free, loam-based
- SupportA pole or cane
How to give a monstera its feed
Once a month while it is growing. Check the compost before you start.
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Check the compost
Push a finger in. If it is dry, water first and feed another day: feed on dry compost can burn roots.
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Feed by the label
With Tend, a splash around the base of the plant, then water it in. If unsure, use a little less, not more.
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Let it drain
Empty the saucer or outer pot after half an hour, so the roots are not left sitting in water.
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Note the date
Then leave it about a month. Feeding more often will not give you more leaves.
Four things people get wrong
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Myth
More feed means bigger leaves
RealityLight and warmth drive growth. Feed only helps a plant that is short of nutrients, and too much builds up salts that brown the leaf edges.
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Myth
Yellow leaves mean it is hungry
RealityToo much water and too little light cause yellowing more often. An old lower leaf yellowing now and then is normal too. Check those first.
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Myth
Feed it through winter to keep it going
RealityIt slows down as the light fades. The RHS advice is to keep it just moist in winter, and feed it cannot use just sits in the compost.
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Myth
Aerial roots mean something is wrong
RealityThey are how it climbs. Tuck them into the pot or guide them onto a pole, but there is no need to worry about them.
Reading a monstera's leaves
Start with the cheapest check: water and light, then the pot, then feed.
| What you see | What it usually means | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Yellowing lower leaves | Often too much water, especially in winter, or too little light. | Let the top of the compost dry before watering and check the pot drains. Feed only once those are right. |
| Brown, crispy edges | Dry air or too little water. Feed that is too strong can brown edges too. | Keep it away from radiators, water more regularly in summer, and ease off the feed if you have been feeding a lot. |
| Small, pale new leaves in summer | Most often not enough light. Hunger is possible if the light is good and it has not been fed this year. | Move it somewhere brighter, out of hot direct sun, and feed monthly while it grows. |
| White crust on the compost | Salts from feed or hard water building up. | Scrape it off and flush the pot through with plain water, then feed less often. |
| Sticky leaves, fine webbing or brown bumps | Pests. The RHS lists scale insects and red spider mite. | Check under the leaves, wipe them clean, and treat early. Feeding will not help here. |
Tend: Houseplant Food
Tend is our liquid houseplant food, for the leafy plants on your floors, sills and shelves.
- How to useA splash around the base of the plant, then water it in. That is the direction on the back of the bottle.
- Size250ml bottle with a pump
- Also good to know100% natural, peat-free and made without synthetic chemicals.
Questions people ask
How often should I feed a monstera?
About once a month while it is growing, usually spring to early autumn. That is the RHS suggestion for a balanced liquid feed. The label of the feed you use sets the amount.
Should I feed my monstera in winter?
Generally no. It grows very little in winter, so keep the compost just moist and start feeding again when you see a new leaf in spring.
Can I use Tend on my monstera?
Yes. Tend is our houseplant food, made for leafy houseplants like this. Use it as the bottle says, a splash around the base and watered in, while the plant is growing.
How soon after repotting can I feed it?
Fresh compost usually comes with starter nutrients, so check the bag and wait until the plant is growing again before its first feed.
Is a monstera safe around cats and dogs?
No. The RHS lists monstera as harmful if eaten and a skin and eye irritant, for people and pets. Keep it out of reach of pets and children, and wear gloves when you cut it back.
