Did you just buy a new Monstera adansonii? Wondering what to do with your Monstera adansonii when you bring it home? Do you need to repot your new Monstera adansonii immediately? Should you water your Monstera adansonii right away? What is the best placement for your Monstera adansonii? Below I will show you everything I did when I brought home my Monstera adansonii.
Monstera Adansonii Video
Here is a video showing you everything you need to do with your new Monstera adansonii.
What to do with your New Monstera adansonii when You Bring it Home
1. Do you need to water your new Monstera adansonii?
Don’t assume that your new Monstera adansonii needs to be watered right away. The best way to tell when it’s time to water your Monstera adansonii is by sticking a finger into the soil 1 inch deep. If the soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your Monstera adansonii. I typically water my Monstera adansonii once every 1-2 weeks. It does not like overly wet soil and is prone to root rot.
Don’t forget to empty out the water that drains. Don’t let your new Monstera adansonii sit in the puddle of water. It might get root rot which is fatal for your Monstera adansonii.
Remember, don’t overwater your new Monstera adansonii. Overwatering is the leading cause of death for most houseplants. It’s best to underwater than to overwater!
2. Do you need to repot your new Monstera adansonii?
There are 2 things to check as you decide whether or not to repot your new Monstera adansonii. The first is to check for drainage holes and the second is to check for signs that your new Monstera adansonii has outgrown its pot.
Check for Drainage Holes
First, check and see if there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot of your new Monstera adansonii. Some plants are in pots that look like it has no drainage holes but there is actually a grow pot underneath with drainage holes. Take a closer look at the pot that your new Monstera adansonii is in. Is there a grow pot underneath with drainage holes? If there are no drainage holes, then you need to repot.
Check for signs that your Monstera adansonii has outgrown its current pot
Check to see if your plant is outgrowing its pot. If you see the roots coming out of the drainage holes, this is a sign that your Monstera adansonii has outgrown its current pot. You should repot soon. But know it’s not urgent, you can let your Monstera adansonii acclimate to its new home first before repotting.
How to Repot your Monstera adansonii?
If you need to repot your new Monstera adansonii because there are no drainage holes or it has outgrown its current pot, use a Well-draining, organic, all-purpose potting soil.
Check out my Step by Step Guide on How to Repot Monstera adansonii
3. Where is the best place for your new Monstera adansonii?
There are several factors to consider when deciding where to place your new Monstera adansonii- Light, whether or not you have pets, whether or not you have small children, temperature, humidity, and draft.
Light
Monstera adansonii prefers shaded areas with indirect sunlight. In the wild, it thrives in shaded areas under tree canopies. However, don’t put it in a dark spot with little or no light. It needs a spot with filtered light.
The best spot for your Monstera adansonii is in front of a north facing window. If you don’t have a north facing window, just make sure it’s not getting direct sunlight. Filter the sunlight with sheer curtains or white curtains.
Pets
Your Monstera adansonii is are toxic to humans, dogs and cats. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves of the Monstera adansonii plant because it contains calcium oxalate crystals. The crystals can cause vomiting and difficulty breathing. Keep it away from pets and children.
Temperature
You should also consider the temperature of your interior space. Your Monstera adansonii likes a daytime temperature of 70 to 80 F (21-26C) and a nighttime temperature of 60 to 70 F (15-21C).
Humidity
You should mist your Monstera adansonii occasionally. If your home is dry, turn on the humidifier. I have my Monstera adansonii next to my fish tank which helps with keeping the air humid.
Draft
You should also make sure your Monstera adansonii is positioned away from heating and air conditioning vents. Also, keep it away from draft. If you have a drafty window, make sure your Monstera adansonii is located away from it.
Quarantine
Don’t be too quick in introducing your new Monstera adansonii to your existing houseplants. It’s a good idea to quarantine your new Monstera adansonii and keep it away from your existing plants. This is to make sure the new Monstera adansonii is not bringing in pests and diseases to your old plants. Observe your new Monstera adansonii for signs of diseases. Monstera adansonii plants are generally not susceptible to diseases and are pretty resilient. However, some problems that may affect Monstera adansonii Plants are mealybugs. Then you can treat it with horticultural oil.
Check out my article on how to make horticultural oil with baby shampoo.
4. Wipe down the leaves of your Monstera adansonii
Your new Monstera adansonii might have fertilizer residue, dust, and dirt on its leaves, so it’s a good idea to wipe the leaves of your new Monstera adansonii. Wiping the leaves of your new Monstera adansonii will help improve its photosynthesis. Get a damp cloth and wipe down the leaves. I like to use microfiber cloth, but you can use any type of cloth as long as it’s clean. A damp paper towel will also work. Don’t use leaf shine to wipe your Monstera adansonii. The chemicals will clog up the leaves.
5. Do you need to fertilize your new Monstera adansonii?
I generally don’t recommend fertilizing your new Monstera adansonii right away. You don’t want to overfertilize your Monstera adansonii since you don’t know if it was just fertilized by the grower. Wait a month before you fertilize your Monstera adansonii. When you do fertilize, use an organic fertilizer with a higher ratio of nitrogen content. Monstera adansonii should be fertilized once every 2 weeks when it is actively growing. When it’s dormant, during the winter, don’t fertilize.
6. What should you do with Damaged leaves?
I suggest removing any damaged or torn leaves on your new Monstera adansonii. Simply cut it off with clean scissors. Your Monstera adansonii will look nicer without the damaged leaves. Damaged and torn leaves will not turn green and healthy again so you might as well just cut them off.
You need to observe your Monstera adansonii in the next few weeks to see if your Monstera adansonii is happy. If you see dropping leaves, it could be a sign of overwatering or it’s too cold. Cut back on watering and check the temperature to see if that is a problem.
Check out my Monstera Plant care guides
Beginner’s Guide: Repotting Monstera deliciosa (video)
How to Take Care of Your Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa)- Infographics
Why is my Monstera Leaves Dripping Water?
Quick Start Guide: What to do with New Monstera Plant when you bring it home (video)
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