Why watering is where most monsteras die
Monstera deliciosa is forgiving about almost everything except water at the roots. More monsteras die from chronic overwatering than from any other cause. The plant wants moist, then dry, then moist again — never soggy.
The short answer
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of substrate is dry. In a well-draining mix and a pot with a drainage hole, that’s roughly every 7 to 10 days in summer and every 14 to 21 days in winter.
Substrate and drainage
A monstera mix wants to hold some moisture but drain fast. Equal parts potting soil, orchid bark, and perlite is a reliable baseline. Drainage hole is non-negotiable — a cachepot hides it but the nursery pot must have one.
Signs of overwatering
- Yellowing lower leaves
- Mushy stems at the base
- Black, slimy roots when you unpot
- Soil that stays wet for more than a week
Signs of underwatering
- Crispy leaf edges
- Curling leaves
- Dry, dusty substrate pulling away from the pot