It’s one of a plant parent’s most common questions — how often should I water my Monstera? Most Monsteras need a thorough watering once every 1 to 2 weeks, and consistency is key. Fine tuning the correct timing and amount all depends on your plant and the environment in your home.
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When to water, and how much?
First, check the moisture level of your Monstera’s soil using your finger to determine if it needs water. The top inch (2.5 cm) of soil should be mostly dry, lighter in color, and not stick to your skin. The very top layer of soil exposed to the air is the driest, so make sure to check a little below that. If you want to be consistent with your moisture reading, I recommend this soil moisture sensor that I use. Click the image or link to check the current price.
Atree Soil Moisture Meter, Plant Moisture Meter, Plant Water Meter, Hygrometer Moisture Sensor for Garden, Farm, Lawn, Indoor & Outdoor (No Battery Needed)
Then, if your Monstera is ready to be watered, pour slowly until water runs out the bottom of the pot. I like to water all around the surface of the soil so that the moisture is evenly distributed within the pot. Check out our soil mix guide.
One common watering mistake is wetting just the top surface of the soil. By watering until droplets come out of the drainage holes, you can ensure that all of the roots can reach the water. Here’s our guide for picking the right pot for your Monstera.
Monstera are aroids, which are tropical understory plants. They need a lot of water to grow those lush tropical leaves! As a new plant parent, I was so terrified of overwatering my Monstera that I actually didn’t give it enough water. Your plants will grow much more quickly if you make sure that the soil remains moist most of the time like a freshly wrung out sponge. The soil should not be completely dry, but not soaking wet either. Rapid growth will also help your Monstera grow split leaves sooner!
Monstera Watering Factors
The environment where your Monstera lives changes the amount of water that it needs. In order to photosynthesize, green plants like Monstera use light, water, and carbon dioxide. The plant needs all the ingredients in this recipe in the correct proportions to produce food for itself. So, if it is getting more light, it needs more water, and if it is getting less light, it needs less water.
In your home, your Monstera will likely receive less light than it did growing in a greenhouse, and will need less water as a result. Similarly, due to changes in sunlight with the seasons, a Monstera relying on light from your windows will need less water in the wintertime. Learn more about the best Monstera light conditions in our guide.
You can remove this seasonal dependency by providing supplemental lighting. If your plant needs more light, see our best grow lights for Monstera guide.
Here are some additional factors that influence watering frequency.
- Soil type – The more chunky and fast-draining your soil, the more frequently you will need to water your Monstera. Firm, dense soil means you should water less. Here’s our soil mix guide.
- Pot type – Water plants in porous pots (like terracotta) more often than those in non-porous pots (like plastic).
- Airflow – Increase your watering frequency for Monsteras near fans or heater vents that may dry out the soil.
- Humidity — In low humidity, water more often to maintain soil moisture. Conversely, water less if humidity is high. Here’s our humidity guide.
I recommend these clear pots to help monitor your Monstera’s watering needs. Click the image or link to check the current price.
10 Pack Clear Orchid Pots Set w/Holes Clear Plastic Baskets w/Great Aerification and Drainage 5 Items 6″ and 5 Items 4,5″ Two Sizes of Orchid Planter
Your Monstera can tell you when it needs water
Observing your plant can give you confidence in your watering schedule. When your Monstera needs water, the leaves may appear more droopy. You know your plant is healthy if it perks back up a few hours after watering.
Overwatering and Underwatering – Avoid yellow leaves and root rot
What happens if your monstera gets too much or to little water? The symptoms of over or under-watering can be hard to tell apart. If your plant has limp, dying, yellow leaves, or brown / black spots, it may be suffering from a watering issue. Fortunately, the solution is usually simple — change your watering habits!
Here’s how to tell the difference between underwatering and overwatering:
Common symptoms of underwatering include crispy brown leaf edges, yellowing or dropping bottom leaves, and stunted growth. Here’s what to do with damaged Monstera leaves.
If your Monstera has soft brown or black spots, yellow new growth, transparent leaf patches, a mushy stem, mold on the soil, or remains wilted when wet, it may be overwatered. The most tell-tale sign of overwatering is root rot. Rotted roots turn black and mushy instead of firm and white. If your plant has root rot, further intervention may be needed.
Consistency is Key
One reason overwatering and underwatering appear so similar is that they have the same origin — your Monstera’s roots. In both cases, the roots are not able to provide the rest of the plant with the water that it needs. In fact, underwatering can actually lead to overwatering and root rot. If the roots dry out too much and begin to die, they will be more susceptible to rot when next flooded. That’s why consistency is the best Monstera watering strategy.
One simple way to create a consistent watering schedule is to take note of the dates that you water. I have a hard time remembering how long it’s been, so writing it down makes it easy. Then, if you decide your Monstera needs more or less water next time, you can go back and see exactly how long it’s been. Whether you water every Sunday, go purely by the feel of the soil, or need to set a reminder, if it works for you and your Monstera then you’re doing it right.
Want to use what we use for our Monstera plants? Check out our Monstera care product recommendations that you can purchase from Amazon.