Adding a baby Monstera plant to your home or garden landscape can be an exciting way to bring some tropical flair to your décor. But with so many sizes and varieties to choose from, how do you select the right one for your needs? In this article we’ll explore the key factors to consider when choosing a baby Monstera, from the plant’s growth habits to proper care. Read on for tips to pick the perfect plant for your space!
First things first – what exactly is a Monstera deliciosa? This plant is known by many names, including Swiss cheese plant, split leaf philodendron, or Mexican breadfruit. Native to the tropical forests of southern Mexico and Panama, the Monstera is loved for its signature split and hole-filled leaves that develop as the plant matures
Monsteras can grow up to 30 feet tall in their native jungle habitat! But smaller juvenile plants make excellent houseplants. With the right care and conditions baby Monsteras can still grow quickly to fill in an indoor space with their jungle vibes.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Baby Monstera
When shopping for a baby Monstera for your home, there are a few key factors to keep in mind:
Size
Baby Monstera plants come in a wide range of sizes, from just 3-4 inches tall up to 2 feet tall. Consider the size of your space – a petite plant in a 4 inch pot is perfect for desktops and shelves, while larger floor plants make a big statement in living rooms or offices.
If planning to grow your Monstera long-term, it’s best to start smaller so you can enjoy watching the plant mature over time. Just know that even “baby” Monsteras grow fast and frequently outgrow their pots!
Growth Habits
Monsteras are quick growing vining plants. They produce aerial roots that latch onto surfaces as they climb upwards and outwards on their support structures.
Make sure you have the right structure in place for the baby Monstera you choose. Smaller plants do fine on sticks or moss poles, while larger plants need sturdier supports. Providing proper support early prevents damage and encourages healthy growth.
Light Requirements
While Monsteras grow best in bright, filtered light, baby Monsteras are a bit more forgiving than mature plants. Focus on finding a spot indoors that gets a few hours of sunlight or bright ambient light per day. North or east facing windows are ideal.
If your space has strictly low light options, choose a smaller baby Monstera that can get by with less light as it grows. Supplement with a grow light if needed.
Foliage Interest
One of the most desirable features of Monsteras are their signature leaves. As the plant matures, the leaves develop dramatic splits and holes that give them a jungle look.
Baby Monsteras with younger growth may have simple, oval-shaped leaves at first. But with proper care, holes and fenestrations will develop over time. Inspect plants carefully to make sure you’re getting one with the foliage look you desire.
Caring for Your Baby Monstera Plant
Once you’ve selected the perfect baby Monstera for your space, you’ll want to provide proper care to keep it happy and healthy. Here are some key care tips:
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Light – Monsteras need bright, filtered sunshine. Rotate your plant periodically so all sides get light exposure.
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Water – Allow soil to partially dry out between waterings. Check for drooping leaves, which indicate under-watering.
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Humidity – Mist leaves or use a humidifier to maintain 40-50% humidity.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer.
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Support – Use moss poles, stakes, or trellises to support the vining stems and aerial roots.
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Pruning – Trim off any dead, damaged, or unsightly growth as needed to maintain an attractive appearance.
Achieving Different Size Goals
The exciting thing about growing a baby Monstera plant is watching it transform over time! With the right care, even a small plant can grow into an impressive focal point. Here are some tips to achieve different size goals:
Keeping Plants Small
To maintain a baby Monstera’s petite size, use a small pot and prune back aggressively. Trim off the top portion of vines once they reach your desired height limit. Remove large leaves and aerial roots regularly. Locate in a spot with less light exposure.
Letting Plants Grow Naturally
If your goal is simply to let your Monstera grow freely, re-pot in a larger container whenever roots fill the current pot. Place in bright, indirect light and provide a moss pole or trellis for support. Only prune selectively to remove damaged growth.
Maximizing Growth
For your plant to reach its full size potential, give it the brightest light spot in your home and amp up care. Repot frequently, fertilize regularly, maintain warm and humid conditions year-round, and support all new vines. Your plant will transform quickly with this regime!
Troubleshooting Common Baby Monstera Issues
While Monsteras are generally easy-going plants, baby plants can encounter some common problems. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
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Drooping leaves – Usually indicates under-watering. Check soil moisture and water thoroughly.
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Sparse new growth – Can mean insufficient light. Try a new location or add supplemental lighting.
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Leaf spots/dropping – Likely a disease issue. Prune affected parts and treat with fungicide if needed.
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Leggy vines – Indicates insufficient light. Increase light exposure and prune back vines.
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Root crowding – Time to repot into a larger container to allow room for growth.
With the right variety, setup, and care, a baby Monstera makes a fun and visually striking addition to any home. Just be prepared for these fast growing jungle plants to take off and fill your space with their bold, tropical vibes in no time!
Customer Reviews Based on 3 reviews
Shipping was weird but that was on USPS. I wasnt crazy about the packaging, She lost a couple leaves during transit but it was better than most. The plant itself is in stellar condition. Nice roots. 10/10 would buy again D
Hello I received the baby Monstera fast and sooner than expected! The plant was healthy but I would suggest a different packaging. It would be like to be packed with a clear plastic tube with room for branches and leaves to be free for better protection. When my plant arrived, three stems were broken and barely hanging on. I put a small tape to hold each stem back as a cast…let’s see how they recover! V
My baby monstera deliciosa arrived today in perfect condition….wrapped securely in plastic with packaging materials that kept it safe and protected. Its a really nice size, all leaves were intact and the soil was still moist. I cant wait to see it grow!
96 hour HEAT PACKS are available under the Accessories category. Due to the colder weather and the postal delays from Covid-19 and the increased number of packages during the holidays, we are only offering the larger, 96 hour heat pack and are upgrading all orders with a heat pack to Priority to hopefully ensure that the heat pack is still working upon arrival.
If the daytime temperature in your area or mine is below 45 degrees, we recommend a heat pack. If your area is going to be extremely cold, then you may need two heat packs. If you do not want to include heat packs during cold weather, then you take full responsibility if your plant freezes. We may check the weather between South Carolina and your location, and send a message to recommend adding a heat pack. We do not leave our plants outside for the post office to pick them up and instead take the plants to the post office before the postal truck comes at 4pm so that they are not sitting outside in the elements. We want to provide you with the highest quality plants possible and between our cost and the extra added cost of shipping, there is no mark up on heat packs and they are simply provided as a service to ensure your plants arrive safely.
They last at least 96 hours. Due to mail delays, we are only offering the 96 hour heat pack at this time. For an additional $7 charge, we are offering a shipping upgrade to priority shipping with an included heat pack. We cannot be responsible for plants that were damaged by extreme cold where a heat pack was not purchased, so please check your weather and take postal delays into consideration.
We know that you may have had bad experiences ordering plants online. Who hasnt? At Sweet Leaf, we love our plants and want them to be beautiful and healthy when you unbox them. To make that happen we carefully hand-package all of our plants to ensure that theyre safe and secure, from our door to yours.
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING EXTREME TEMPERATURES: Sweet Leaf cannot be responsible for plants sent to areas where there are extreme temperatures, hot or cold. We offer heat packs in Winter and recommend holding off if temperatures in your area are too hot for plants to be shipped safely. There is no way that we can check the temperature for every order and still provide you with the speed and customer service that you deserve, and we believe you are much better equipped to decide when the weather is too extreme for plants to be shipped to your area. Please check the listing for ideal temperatures and purchase accordingly with your weather in mind.
ITEMS SHIPPED MON, TUES, WED, and FRI (weather permitting). At this time of the year, we recommend a heat pack if daytime temps between our area and yours will be below 45 degrees. Heat packs are listed as a shipping upgrade and must be sent Priority to ensure it arrives in the 96 hours that the heat pack provides.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT SHIPPING TIME SAYS ALL PLANTS ARE SHIPPED ON MONDAYS, TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS and FRIDAYS so that the plants arrive prior to or just after the weekend and are not sitting in a post office for days. Upon placing your order we will try to check the weather in your area and message you to let you know what days are best to ensure your plants arrive in the best weather for their survival and to give you an opportunity to add a heat pack if you previously declined and change your mind.
If you have any questions, I would be happy to answer them, not only about the listing but also about the care of your plant after you get it. My inbox is always open and I am happy to help!
All sales are final. HOWEVER, if your plant arrives in a damaged condition that it will not recover from, please contact me within 24 hours with photos so that I can submit a claim with USPS. WE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DAMAGE DUE TO EXTREME HEAT OR COLD IF HEAT PACKS ARE NOT PURCHASED. WE CANNOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAIL DELAYS IF PRIORITY IS NOT SELECTED AND THE HEAT PACK EXPIRES. If USPS covers the claim, then I can provide you with another plant or send you a refund. If your plant comes out of the pot during shipping, while annoying, it should be fine. We take every precaution to ensure that your plants will arrive safely and still potted, but we have no control over what happens once it leaves our care. Please contact me with any issues to attempt a fair resolution for all and contact me with any questions you have about care.
Stop picking the wrong pot size for your Monstera | #CommunityQuestions
FAQ
What is the difference between large form and small form monstera?
Where is the best place to plant monstera?
How long does it take for a baby monstera to mature?
Do monsteras like small pots or big pots?
How big does a baby Monstera grow?
Mature Monstera plants can grow up to 10 feet tall and have leaves that measure up to three feet long. At this stage, the plant requires less care than during its earlier stages but still needs regular watering and pruning to maintain its shape. How often should I water my baby Monstera plant?
Do Baby Monstera plants need direct sunlight?
Baby Monstera plants require bright but indirect light during their early stages of growth. Direct sunlight can be harmful to young plants and may cause their leaves to burn or wilt. As your plant grows older and enters its juvenile and mature stages, it can tolerate more direct sunlight. Why are my baby Monstera plant’s leaves turning yellow?
How to grow baby Monstera?
Choose a large, pierced pot, 2-3 l to start with, to give the roots plenty of time to develop. Don’t forget to install a layer of clay balls in the bottom to ensure good drainage. Bright, indirect light is ideal for your Baby Monstera. Its leaves are shaped to make the most of the ambient light in its area.
How long does a Monstera seedling last?
The seedling stage typically lasts for several months, during which time you should provide the plant with plenty of water and nutrients. The juvenile stage is when the Monstera plant begins to develop its characteristic split leaves. At this stage, the plant will start to produce larger leaves with more defined splits and holes.