If you want your Monstera to really steal the show, you’ve got to keep it well-fed! Regular fertilizing is the secret to helping this exotic “Swiss Cheese Plant” unfurl those massive, iconic leaves all year long. Plus, if you’re hoping to see any flowers or fruit, getting the nutrients right is key.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer
When you head to your local garden center, the sheer number of indoor plant fertilizers can be a bit overwhelming. Here are the best options for keeping your Monstera happy:
- Standard liquid houseplant fertilizer
- Fertilizer spikes (super convenient!)
- Organic liquid fertilizer
- Slow-release granules (like Osmocote Exact)
Your Monstera Feeding Schedule
While your Monstera appreciates nutrients year-round, its appetite changes with the seasons. During the active growing phase (April to August), it’s much hungrier than during the “chill” winter months (September to March).
If you’re using a liquid fertilizer (standard or organic), mix a bit into your watering can every two weeks during the spring and summer. Once winter hits, scale back to once every four to six weeks. If you prefer fertilizer spikes, just press them into the soil in April, July, and again around November or December. For slow-release granules, you only need to work them into the soil once a year in April.
Pro tip: If you aren’t sure which brand to pick, look for one formulated for salt-sensitive plants. Also, try to water with soft rainwater before and after fertilizing—it helps the roots soak up those nutrients more effectively. By the way, if you have an older plant or you’re dreaming of tasting that Monstera fruit, organic liquid fertilizer is definitely the way to go!
Wait Before Feeding After Repotting
One quick rule of thumb: don’t fertilize right after you’ve repotted your plant. You should give your Monstera a fresh home in a larger pot every two to three years. Since fresh potting soil is already packed with nutrients, your plant has plenty to snack on for about six weeks. Hold off on the extra fertilizer until that two-month mark!
