Monstera Watering Guide: When To, How To, and More

Watering can be the thing that makes or breaks your Monstera. So getting it right is important.

If you’re reading this then the chances are you’ve either already drowned a Monstera or two. Probably from a mix of enthusiasm and ignorance that leads to overwatering. Or you’re smart enough to being doing your research first.

Whatever it is, knowing how you should be watering your plants is amongst the main parts of looking after them properly.

So I’m going to take you through how to water a Monstera, when is the right time to, signs of over and underwatering and much more.

Getting Started: Why Watering Matters

Sadly your monstera won’t have come with care instructions tattooed on its leaves (wouldn’t that be helpful?). Whilst they’re pretty forgiving, watering is one area where it can all go wrong.

As Monsteras are native to the rainforests in Central America they’re used to some rainfall but also dappled light and a good amount of drainage and humidity. So they’re not sitting around in puddles all day.

In this guide I’m going to go through everything from the correct timing for watering to adjusting for the seasons. There’s no special equipment required, just some attention to detail and maybe a moisture meter if you’re as forgetful as I am.

How Often Should You Water a Monstera?

The generic advice you’ll come across is “water every 7-10 days”. But that’s about as useful as saying “exercise sometimes.” How often you water will depend on a mixture of things that are unique to your home and plant.

As example I’ve had to water my kitchen monstera weekly whereas the one in my darker bedroom needed water once every 12 to 14 days. Same plant, different conditions, different needs.

Factors That Change Watering Frequency

• Size matters – Larger Monstera and ones planted in bigger pots dry out more slowly than smaller ones. My 4ft monster needs water less often than my newer cuttings.
• Light exposure – More light means more growth which means more water consumption. A Monstera near to a window may need water twice as often as those in dark corners or where there’s less light.
• Humidity levels – My bathroom monstera (enjoying that shower steam) needs watering a lot less often than those in drier rooms.
• Soil composition – Chunky, airy soil dries faster than dense, peat heavy mixes. If you switch soil types and keep to the same schedule you may run in to problems.
• Seasonal changes – Summer means active growth and the need more frequent watering. Winter means your plant is basically on vacation – watering needs drop a lot.

You can’t water on autopilot. You have to tailor it to each individual plant. My best results have come when I stopped following a strict schedule and started actually checking the soil before watering.

Signs Your Monstera Needs Water

Before your Monstera starts sending out an SOS that it’s thirsty it will give you some signs. Getting good at reading those signs saved me from both under and overwatering disasters.

• Slightly drooping leaves – Not totally limp but lacking in that perkiness you would extend to see.
• Soil pulling away from pot edges – When soil gets really dry it contracts. If you can see gaps between the soil and pot then that’s a clear sign your Monstera wants some water.
• Curling leaf edges – Before leaves yellow or brown they often curl inward to hold on to moisture.
• Dry soil 2 inches deep – This is the most reliable test. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry at that depth it’s time to water.

I once ignored my Monstera for three weeks during a really busy time at work. When I finally got round to watering it the leaves were so droopy.

But after giving it a good soaking it perked up within hours. Catch the problems early and most Monsteras will bounce back, even if they look too far gone.

Signs You’re Watering Too Much

Overenthusiastic watering kills more houseplants than neglect. I can vouch for that from a lot of experience.

Your monstera will tell you if you’re being too generous with water:

• Yellowing leaves – Especially the lower, older leaves. If they’re turning yellow its a classic symptom of overwatering.
• Wilting despite wet soil – This confuses many people. A plant thats wilting in wet soil isn’t thirsty. What’s actually happening is the roots are suffocating.
• Musty smell or fungus gnats – If your plant smells like a wet basement. Or you see tiny flies around the soil you’ve definitely kept it too damp.
• Mushy, brown roots – If you’re repotting and find soft, brown roots instead of firm white ones that’s root rot from overwatering.

I’ve had Monstera develop yellow spots on several leaves in the past. At the same time the soil felt just a little damp. So I thought it simply needed more water. Which was a silly error.

I added more water and the yellowing got worse. I had to perform emergency root surgery, cutting away rotted sections and repotting it in fresh, dry soil. It survived but took quite a few months to fully recover.

The Best Way to Water a Monstera

There’s actually a technique to watering Monstera properly. It’s easy to think you can just dump some water on it and hope for the best, which was an approach I took before I knew better.

Tools You’ll Need

• A watering can with a narrow spout (helps control the flow)
• Your finger or a moisture meter if you’re fancy
• A saucer or drainage tray
• Towel for inevitable spills (just me?)

Step by Step Watering Process

1. Check the moisture first. Stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, go ahead and water. If it’s still damp then check again in a couple of days.
2. Water slowly around the base of the plant, not just in one spot. I tend to circle the pot so that the water gets distributed evenly.
3. Keep watering until you see it coming out of the drainage holes. This should make sure the entire root ball gets enough moisture.
4. Wait 15 minutes then empty the drainage tray. Never, ever let your monstera sit in standing water!

Top vs. Bottom Watering

I’ve tried both methods. Top watering (described above) works well for regular care. Bottom watering, which is where you place the pot in a tray filled with water and let it absorb moisture from below, is great for plants that have are extremely dry. This is because it gives really rehydrates them thoroughly.

If you’re going to bottom water then put your monstera in a container with about 2 to 3 inches of water and let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Remove it once the top of the soil feels damp and let any excess water drain away.

Seasonal Watering Adjustments

One schedule doesn’t fit all seasons. Something that took me a few dead plants to fully grasp.

Spring and Summer Care

During the growing season (typically March through September), your monstera is actively producing new leaves. Doing so mean it needs and uses more water.

Mine usually need watering every 7 to 10 days during the summer. Sometimes more often during heat waves or when the air conditioning is running.

Signs of growth like new leaves unfurling are a big sign that the plant is active. So you should start checking if it needs watering more often at this point.

Fall and Winter Changes

As daylight decreases your monstera will enter into a rest period. Its Growth slows down and that means its consuming a lot less water too.

How often I water watering cuta in half during the winter. It can get as low as just once every 2 to 3 weeks. But you should still be checking the soil regularly rather than sticking to a calendar.

Heating systems in the winter create an extra challenge. They dry out the air and this will have an impact on how much water your Monstera needs. A humidifier helps reduce how often they will need watering in the cold months.

Soil and Pot Considerations

The soil your Monstera grows in and the pot are a big part of it’s watering. It’s something that is easily overlooked but actually it’s surprisingly important.

Soil Matters – A Lot

Standard potting soil stays too wet for monsteras. I switched to mix that is much better draining after I lost a Monstera to root rot.

My current recipe is:

• 60% quality potting soil
• 20% perlite or pumice (for drainage)
• 20% orchid bark (creates air pockets)

This lets water flow through but retains just enough moisture. The chunks of bark also create air spaces that the roots love.

Choosing the Right Pot

You must have drainage holes. I don’t care how cute the decorative pot is 1 if it doesn’t have holes you don’t plant directly in it.

Pot size has a big effect on how often you water. A plant that is pot bound (roots filling the container) will need water a lot more regularly than one in an oversized pot. What you should do is pick a pot that is 2 to 3 inches bigger in diameter than the root ball.

Material makes a difference too. My monsteras in terracotta pots dry out much faster than the ones I have in plastic or ceramic containers. This is because clay lets the moisture evaporate through the sides. Which can be good for stopping you from overwatering them but also means you have to check more frequently too.

Watering Mistakes

I’ve made all of these so learn where I went wrong.

The Schedule Trap

I’ve already mentioned this a few times but it bears repeating again. Setting a rigid “water every Wednesday” schedule ignores what your Monstera actually needs.

So many things change all the time: the environment, growth rates etc. The calendar can be a reminder to check but shouldn’t be what determines if you do or don’t. Instead let the soil be the deciding factor to when you actually water.

Standing Water

Do not leave your Monstera in standing water. I know it’s easy to think “it’ll evaporate” or “the plant will use it.” Nope.

Letting water sit in the drainage tray will result in root rot. You’ll find the bottom of the pot reabsorbs any water that’s left behind, which keeps the roots constantly wet.

Temperature Shock

Using ice cold water can shock tropical plants like Monsteras. If you’re worried about doing this then fill up a watering can and leave it out overnight. By the next day it will be room temperature and you don’t have to be concerned it’s too cold for your Monstera.

The Spray Bottle Myth

Some guides suggest misting monstera leaves for humidity. And yes, they do appreciate humidity. But misting the leaves does practically nothing for humidity levels.

In fact misting can actually cauae fungal problems if the water sits on leaves too long. A proper humidifier is a much better option.

Tips for Busy or Forgetful Plant Owners

We can’t all be perfect when we look after our plants. If everything is a bit chaotic these tips will help keep on top of your Monsteras needs:

Moisture Meters Are Your Friend

For about $10 you can get a soil moisture meter. Why they’re so handy is that they’ll stop up from guessing when to water.

All you have to do is stick it in the soil and it tells you if conditions are dry, moist or wet. Perfect for beginners or those who are in a rush.

Set Reminders – But Still Check

I have a recurring phone reminder to check (not automatically water) my plants. If you are forgetful and don’t remember exactly when you last watered your Monstera try this.

Self Watering Options

I’m not a huge fan of self watering pots.
But I understand that they’re useful when you’re on vacation or busy.

My issue with them is they have always made the soil too moist for Monstera. So if you’re going to use one then keep a close eye on what happens.

A better option might be water wicking systems. Or alternatively find a plant sitter who can follow your specific instructions.

FAQ

Can I use tap water for my monstera?

It depends on the quality of your water. Monsteras aren’t super sensitive but if your tap water is heavily chlorinated or has a lot minerals in it then that can build up in the soil over time.

I use tap water that’s been left out overnight. This lets the chlorine evaporate, and over the years of doing this I’ve never had any issues. But filtered water is even better if you have it.

How do I know if my monstera is stressed from watering issues?

Yellowing or drooping leaves is the most obvious sign. Apart from that watch for slow growth, black spots on the leaves or new leaves that are smaller than previous ones. Any of these can be a sign of watering stress.

Is misting the leaves helpful?

Not really. Misting just increases humidity for a few minutes. Which isn’t long long enough to make any real difference. If you want to clean the leaves wipe them with a damp cloth instead.

What’s the deal with filtered or distilled water?

Some people swear by filtered or distilled water. They say it stops minerals from building up in the soil. It’s definitely not necessary for monsteras but it can help if you have hard water. I’ve used both tap and filtered and both have worked well. But it’s the watering technique that matters more than the type of water.

Summary Chart: Watering at a Glance

Final Thoughts

The most important to take away from all this is simple: pay attention to your Monstera. And don’t stick to the rules even if your plant is telling you otherwise.

If you’re looking closely enough it will give you clear signs of what it wants. It’s leaves can communicate through subtle changes. And once you learn to recognize them it makes caring for Monstera so much easier.

They’re all different though. It could be its size, environment, growth stage etc. A cutting needs different care than a mature plant. A monstera in a sunny Florida room needs different care than one in a dimly lit Seattle apartment.

So keep to the basics like checking your plant before you water, not after. Touch the soil, look at the leaves and get to know your monstera’s patterns. It sounds silly but you need to develop a relationship with your plant. If you can do that then you’ll do much better than if you’re stuck following a watering schedule.

And if you mess up? Well Monsteras are very resilient. I’ve brought several back from the brink of death just by some minor adjustments to how I’d been caring for them. So don’t let fear hold you back.