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The Monstera Peru plant is known for its textured leaves and vibrant green foliage. These plants are relatively easygoing once you know the correct way to care for it.
They love to climb so placing your Monstera Peru on a moss pole is a great idea.
Monstera Peru main care tips.
- Water. Monstera Peru like to be watered once the soil is almost dry. If you stick your finger in the soil and it feels dry, it’s time to give your plant a thorough watering.
- Light. Monstera Peru love bright indirect sunlight. A great spot would be near a south, east, or west facing window. Do not place this plant in direct sunlight and do not place this plant in the darkest corner of your room.
- Fertilizer. Fertilize your plant during the active growing season (spring-summer) with a diluted fertilizer or slow-release granules.
- Humidity. Monstera Peru are tropical plants and love humidity at around 60%.
Monstera Peru thrive with these care tips.
Light
Monstera Peru love bright indirect sunlight and grow beautiful vines when they are given adequate light conditions.
A great spot for this plant would be near a south, east, or west facing window. South facing windows get the brightest, most intense sunlight of the day and this is typically the best spot for any houseplant. North facing windows get the least amount of sunlight making this spot good for low light plants.
If you don’t have sufficient lighting in your home, you can use plant grow lights. I use T5 Barrina plant grow lights for the majority of my plants. These plant grow lights run on a timer for 13 hours a day. Plant grow lights are awesome because I can put plants in areas of my home that aren’t receiving any sunlight at all.
I have my Monstera Peru in a bedroom getting east facing sun exposure (morning sun).
Water
You can tell the Monstera Peru is more drought tolerant because of its thick textured leaves. You can let this plant dry out completely in between waterings.
Dip your finger in about 2 inches and if the soil is dry, you can give your plant a thorough watering. In the wintertime, you can cut back on watering as you would with most houseplants but in the summer, your plant will need more water.
If you’re unsure when to water your plants, a moisture meter is a great option. This tool makes it so easy to figure out when to water your plants. You stick the meter into the soil and if the meter readers on the dryer side, it’s time to water your plant.
Soil
Monstera Peru need well draining soil. An easy potting mix recipe is 3 parts all purpose soil to 1 1/2 part perlite.
If you don’t want to make your own potting mix, you can use pre-made mix like Fox Farm Ocean Forest. This mix contains a blend of high quality ingredients perfect for any houseplant.
One of the most important things about potting mix is having a blend that is a bit chunky. This creates aeration and flow in the soil so oxygen can reach the roots. If your soil is too compact and dense, this can lead to root rot and your plant eventually dying.
Temperature
Monstera Peru thrive in regular home temperatures of 70°F to 80°F. You can also grow this plant outside if you live in USDA hardiness zones of 10b-12b.
This plant does not do well in colder temperatures outside under 60°F (15°C). It’s also important to not place this plant in a spot that gets drafts.
Fertilizer
One thing I’ve really noticed about the Monstera Peru is they are hungry for nutrients. Monstera’s are quite the feeders and need fertilizer more often than your other houseplants.
Fertilize your Monstera Peru when the plant is actively growing. For me, that’s year round since I live in a place that doesn’t really get winter. Fertilize using a slow release granule fertilizer or an organic or synthetic fertilizer.
I use both Key Grow Solutions Blue Butterfly and Dyna Gro Grow. I mix a spoonful of one of these fertilizers into a gallon of water and use this water to feed all of my houseplants.
If you are using a non-organic, synthetic fertilizer, it’s always recommended to dilute the recipe in half because of how strong the N-P-K ratios are. If you are using an organic fertilizer, you typically do not have to worry about diluting the recipe because the N-P-K ratio is so low.
Humidity
Monstera Peru’s are native to tropical regions and therefore thrive on humidity. Humidity levels between 60%-80% are ideal but I’ve also found this plant can live in normal humidity conditions.
If your home is relatively dry (under 30% humidity), you may want to invest in a humidifier or put your plant under a pebble tray with water. I keep my house at about 40% humidity and my higher needs humidity plants are at about 60% humidity in a DIY Ikea greenhouse cabinet.
Best tips to raise the humidity in your home:
- Put high humidity plants together in a group. When you group high humidity plants around each other, this creates a humid microclimate. The plants will continue to release moisture around each other through transpiration.
- Place a pebble tray underneath your high humidity plants. I purchased small rocks at a hardware store and placed them on a planter tray. Place your planter on the tray. Put enough water in the tray until it hits the planter bottom and the water will evaporate around the plant.
- Get a high-quality humidifier and run this daily near your houseplants.
- Mist your plants. Some people say this doesn’t help, but I think it does so I continue to do it.
- Place high-humidity plants in your bathroom. I place certain high humidity plants in my shower and they’re thriving.
Propagation
Propagating a Monstera Peru is incredibly easy. This plant has nodes which are bumpy dots that stick out of the stem.
Cut a 45 degree angle under a node and place the stem cutting in clean filtered water. The stem cutting should root in about one month.
Common Questions
Are Monstera Peru rare?
Monstera Peru plants are found at most plant stores but it is rare to find this plant at a big box store like Lowes or Home Depot.
You can also purchase this plant on Etsy, online plant shops like Steve’s Leaves, and even private sellers on Facebook Market.
How much is a Monstera Peru?
Monstera Peru are roughly $20 for a 4 inch pot. A 6 inch bushy pot can go for around $65 on Etsy.
How do you care for Monstera Peru?
To make sure your Monstera Peru thrives, place it in bright indirect sunlight.
If you live in a dry climate, make sure that your plant is next to other high humidity plants so that the plants can work together to create a mini microclimate of humidity. Water your plant once the top two inches are dry and give it a thorough watering.
Fertilize your plant in the active growing months (new leaves are growing) and pause fertilization when you do not see any active growth. This plant loves fertilizer and is a heavy feeder so you’ll want to make sure to give it the nutrients it needs. I fertilize my Monstera Peru at every watering.
Are Monstera Peru fast growers?
Monstera Peru’s are known to be fast growers and climbers. Put your plant on a moss pole and watch it climb.
Do Monstera Peru climb?
Monstera Peru’s love to climb so placing your plant on a moss pole or trellis is a great idea. You’ll notice the leaves get bigger as the plant grows taller.
How do you make a Monstera Peru look more full?
To make your Monstera Peru fuller, regularly prune the plant and place cuttings back into the pot to create a bushier look.
Do Monstera Peru have aerial roots?
Monstera Peru do have aerial roots. If your plant does not have aerial roots yet, this may mean you have a younger plant. Once your plant matures, you’ll see aerial roots.
Can you propagate a Monstera Peru from a leaf?
In order to properly propagate a Monstera Peru, your plant should have a node. For best propagation success, I recommend taking a cutting with a leaf and at least 2-3 nodes.
Are Monstera Peru poisonous?
Yes, this plant is highly toxic to both animals and humans.
Why is my Monstera Peru yellow?
If your Monstera Peru is yellowing, this can be for many reasons. Monstera Peru’s are heavy feeders and need nutrients. Make sure you’re fertilizing your plant. Your plant may be yellowing due to overwatering or under watering or lack of light.
Why is my Monstera Peru leaves curling?
Leaves tend to curl if the plant is thirsty or placed in an area with a draft. Make sure you’re properly watering your plant and be sure to place your plant in a spot that isn’t near a door, window, or vent.
Do Monstera Peru bloom?
Monstera Peru bloom but it’s rare to see this happen indoors.
Do Monstera Peru like to be misted?
Misting plants is a controversial subject as a lot of people think misting does nothing. I personally mist my plants but not on a strict schedule. Since Monstera Peru are from tropical regions, they naturally thrive on higher humidity.
So if you want to mist your plant, you definitely can, but it’s best to simply give your plant adequate humidity by placing it near a humidifier.
How fast does a Monstera Peru grow?
Monstera Peru’s grow at a medium-pace rate depending on the conditions the plant is growing in. So while the Monstera Peru isn’t as fast growing as the Monstera Deliciosa, this plant is still a good grower.
Does Monstera Peru fenestrate?
Monstera Peru leaves do not fenestrate.
How big does a Monstera Peru grow?
Monstera Peru can grow up to 8 feet tall depending on the conditions the plant is growing in.
How do you know if your Monstera Peru is happy?
If your Monstera Peru plant is growing, has vibrant green textured leaves, then your plant is happy.
Is Monstera Peru toxic to pets?
Yes, this plant is toxic to pets and humans. You can get more information on toxic and pet-friendly plants at ASPCA here.
Common pests
I haven’t had any pest pressures on my Monstera Peru, but some of the most common pests for houseplants include spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and aphids. These pests can hurt your plant which is why prevention is key.
To help prevent any pest infestations on your plant, here’s what to do.
- If possible, inspect your plant before purchasing at the plant store. If you’re buying a plant online, inspect your plant away from your other plants.
- Regularly check your plants for pests. This is also a great time to clean your plants.
- Cut off dead leaves.
If you find a plant that has pests on it, quarantine the plant away from your houseplants and clean the plant with an organic or nonorganic insecticide.
I use Bonide Systemic on my plants as a preventative and find it’s incredibly effective for getting rid of pest pressures, especially fungus gnats. If you have a fungus gnat problem, this is the product to use. You simply sprinkle the Bonide granules on top of your plants soil and the product starts working its magic.
Common issues
Brown tips: If your Monstera Peru has brown tips, this may be due to over or underwatering. Invest in a moisture meter (under $10) or do the finger or chopstick test.
Yellowing leaves: If your Monstera Peru has yellow leaves, this may be due to your plant needing nutrients or adequate waterings.
Curly leaves: If your Monstera Peru has curling leaves, this may be due to the plant being thirsty. Also make sure your plant isn’t near a draft like a door, window, or vent.
Key Points To Remember
Monstera Peru’s are known for their rich green foliage and textured leaves. Keep this plant in bright indirect sunlight and higher than average humidity (60%).
Make sure to let the soil dry out completely before giving your plant a good soaking. Your plant will thrive in these conditions.
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