The Benefits of Growing Baby Monstera Plant in Your Garden: A Natural Solution

Adding a baby monstera plant to your indoor or outdoor garden can provide many benefits beyond simply decorating your space with a trendy tropical houseplant. The iconic split and fenestrated leaves of monstera deliciosa make it visually appealing, but this plant has practical uses too. Growing baby monstera can naturally purify indoor air reduce stress, improve sleep, and more. With proper care, these plants can thrive in home gardens for years to come.

Why Grow Baby Monstera?

Here are some of the top benefits and advantages of incorporating baby monstera plants into your gardening

• Air Purification – Monstera’s large leaves absorb air pollutants like benzene, xylene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde. These toxins are common in furniture, cleaning products, and other household items. Monstera filters these compounds from indoor air.

• Stress Relief – Caring for houseplants and being around greenery has been shown in studies to lower cortisol levels and reduce anxiety. The jungle-like leaves can have a calming effect.

• Better Sleep – Monstera gives off oxygen at night, which can promote deeper breathing and improved sleep quality. This makes it an excellent plant for bedrooms.

• Low Maintenance – Monstera plants are quite resilient and easy to care for indoors compared to other tropical plants. Their occasional water and fertilizer needs make them great for beginner gardeners.

• Unique Look – The iconic split leaves of mature monstera plants add major visual interest to any space. The holes and fenestrations make it a true statement plant.

• Versatility – Monstera can be incorporated as a potted plant, climbing a moss pole, trailing from a hanger, or even mounted on a wall. It fits diverse garden styles.

• Air Humidity – The large leaf surface area of monstera releases moisture into the surrounding air. This subtly boosts humidity levels and can benefit other plants.

• Garden Focal Point – Monstera’s tropical foliage makes it a natural focal point in the garden or home. It draws attention and livens up the space.

Beyond these advantages, growing baby monstera can also be a rewarding experience. Caring for it from a small plant into maturity and watching the leaves transform is an enjoyable process for any gardener.

Optimal Growing Conditions

While monstera plants are relatively flexible, providing optimum growing conditions gives your baby monstera the best chance of thriving indoors. Here are some key factors to give your plant:

Light – Bright, filtered light is ideal. Near an east or west facing window works well. Avoid direct southern sun exposure.

Water – Allow soil to partially dry out between waterings. Overwatering leads to root rot.

Humidity – Prefers 40-50% humidity. Mist leaves or use a pebble tray to increase moisture.

Temperature – Average room temp of 65-80°F is fine. Does not tolerate freezing cold.

Soil – Well-draining potting mix amended with perlite for aeration and drainage.

Fertilizer – Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer monthly in spring and summer.

Support – Provide a moss pole, trellis, or wall for climbing stems as the plant matures.

Pot Size – Start in a 6 inch nursery pot. Repot annually in the spring into slightly larger pots.

Pruning – Trim off any dead or damaged leaves and stems to encourage healthy growth.

Following these guidelines tailors your care to match monstera’s natural preferences. Monitor its needs and make adjustments as needed based on your environment.

Caring for Your Baby Monstera

Here is a summary of the key care elements to help your baby monstera not just survive, but truly flourish:

Provide Bright, Indirect Sunlight

• Monstera thrives in locations with ample bright, indirect light for at least part of the day.

• An east or west facing window is often ideal, or a few feet back from a southern window.

• Rotate the plant occasionally so all sides get sufficient light exposure. This prevents lopsided growth.

• If light levels are low, supplement with a grow light for several hours per day.

Water Thoroughly When Soil is Partially Dry

• Check the soil with your finger; water when the top few inches become dry.

• Water until it drains freely from the base. Never let it sit in water.

• Allowing the soil to dry out moderately between waterings prevents root rot.

• Drooping leaves or yellowing indicate under watering. Overwatering causes similar issues.

Provide Average Room Humidity

• Monstera appreciates 40-50% humidity, but tolerates average indoor levels.

• Increase humidity by misting the leaves daily or using a humidifier nearby.

• Ensure adequate air circulation to prevent fungal or bacterial leaf issues.

Use a Support for Climbing Growth

• As stems lengthen, provide a moss pole or other support for it to climb.

• Gently tie the stems to the support using soft plant ties or twine.

• This mimics its natural growth habit and results in larger, more fenestrated leaves.

Give Monthly Fertilizer in Growing Season

• Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer once every 4-6 weeks from spring to fall.

• Dilute fertilizer to half strength to avoid burn.

• Cease fertilizing over winter when growth slows.

Repot Annually in Spring

• Repot each spring into a slightly larger pot, about 2 inches bigger in diameter.

• Gently loosen bound roots before replanting in fresh potting mix.

• Prune off any dead roots. This encourages new growth.

With attentive care focused on providing suitable light, water, humidity, nutrients, and support, your baby monstera will flourish in your indoor garden space.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

While monstera plants are relatively hardy, they can encounter issues under certain conditions. Here are some common problems and how to address them:

• Drooping leaves – Usually indicates under watering. Water more frequently.

• Yellowing leaves – Can signify overwatering. Allow soil to dry out further.

• Leaf spots/discoloration – Caused by excessive light or moisture. Move plant or adjust watering.

• Leggy growth – Not enough sunlight. Rotate plant or supplement with grow light.

• Root rot – Due to overly damp soil. Repot in fresh mix and discard diseased roots.

• Slow growth – Increase sunlight, temperature, and fertilization to optimal levels.

• Pests – Treat mealybugs, spider mites, or scale with insecticidal soap spray.

• Leaf damage – Prune off affected leaves. Move plant away from drafts or direct sun.

Propagating Monstera Plants

One benefit of growing baby monstera is that you can propagate the plant to create clones. This allows you to multiply your plant collection or share with fellow gardeners.

To propagate a monstera:

• Take a stem cutting with a few leaves and nodes.

• Optionally dip cutting end in rooting hormone to speed root growth.

• Plant cutting in moist potting mix or place in water.

• Keep soil or water clean until roots form in a few weeks.

• Transplant to soil once rooted. Keep moist and provide filtered light as it establishes.

The process is quite simple and rewarding. You’ll have new baby monsteras in no time to decorate your home.

Designing With Monstera Plants

Monstera offers numerous possibilities to enhance your living space as a stunning decorative element. Consider these design ideas:

• Display it as a stand-alone statement plant in a bright corner.

• Let it trail from a shelf or hanger to draw the eye up.

• Use a trellis or moss pole to highlight its climbing growth habit.

• Plant in a colored pot to complement or contrast its foliage.

• Arrange in a grouping with other tropicals like ferns, palms, or bromeliads.

• Mount on a wall with climbing stems supported in a grid or on boards.

• Place near seating areas so the leaves can be appreciated up close.

• Use large mature plants to divide a room or create green walls.

With its jungle-inspired leaves, monstera adds texture, color, and an exotic vibe to rooms. Incorporate them in ways that highlight their form and showcase their uniqueness.

Final Thoughts

Adding a baby monstera plant to your indoor or outdoor garden provides benefits beyond just visual appeal. As a natural air purifier and stress reliever, caring for this plant enhances your home environment in practical ways too. Place your baby monstera in optimal growing conditions with