The bold, beautiful leaves of a Monstera plant are one of its most striking features. However, in order for them to remain healthy, they must be cleaned and maintained Monstera leaves on a regular basis, at least once a week.
Why Do You Need To Clean Monstera Leaves?
Most plants, including Monstera, produce food through a process known as photosynthesis. The plant will exchange carbon dioxide and sunlight from its leaves to produce oxygen and sugar, which it will use as an energy source during this process.
The ability of plant leaves to photosynthesize decreases dramatically as a layer of dust accumulates on them. As a result, growth may be slow. The right cultural environment is already a challenge for most houseplants, and dust buildup will only make it more difficult.
While the dust and grime buildup will not kill your Monstera, it will definitely slow their growth. So, if you want your plant to thrive, make sure to clean it on a regular basis, just like you clean the rest of your house.
Cleaning the leaves of your Monstera is an important part of keeping it happy and healthy:
- Pests: Cleaning on a regular basis allows you to look for pests and, if necessary, remove them before they cause any damage.
- Remove dust and other debris to make your plant feel and look better. It will grow faster and have more lush leaves.
Read More: Scale on Monstera – Identify and how to treat it?
Cleaning Schedule
Cleaning your Monstera plant at least once a week is a good general rule. However, the frequency with which you must clean your Monstera is determined by a number of factors, including the position of the plant in the house, the location of the house, and the aeration around the spot.
If your Monstera is in a well-aerated location, it is more likely to collect dust, increasing the frequency with which you must clean it. You can determine how much dust your plant collects on your own and then clean it twice a week or every other week.
What to clean Monstera leaves with?
When it comes to cleaning the leaves of your Monstera plant, you have a few options. While some methods are chemically based, such as commercially available leaf shine, others are natural and organic. Which path you take is entirely up to you. Personally, I prefer the organic approach. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at some cleaning solutions that can help you keep your Monstera’s leaves healthy and shining:
- Water and a clean cloth
- A solution of dishwashing liquid and water
- Cotton balls and diluted milk
- Wipes made from natural ingredients
- A cloth and diluted neem oil solution
- Lemon water mixture, diluted
Aside from these, commercial products such as Miracle-Gro Leaf Shine and Schultz Plant Shine Leaf Polish can be used to clean the leaves. To clean the leaves of your Monstera plant, you can take either route.
How To Clean Monstera Leaves – The best way
Monstera leaves can be cleaned in a variety of ways. The following are the five best ways how to clean Monstera leaves, all of which are effective despite their differences. Some only require a few tools, while others require none.
Remember, you don’t have to choose just one method. These plants appreciate being wiped down on a regular basis, but they’d also appreciate a shower! Examine the options below to find the one that works best for you (and your plant).
Give Your Monstera a Shower
Although it may appear strange, many plants enjoy showers just as much as you do! Check that the water is not too hot or cold, but rather room temperature or lukewarm. Run your hands through the Monstera, making sure to pay attention to all of the leaves, including the undersides.
Keep the shower short and to the point. Check to make sure the water stream isn’t too abrasive. This will batter the leaves unnecessarily and may knock the soil out of the pot.
Monsteras, on the other hand, prefer a good spray-down to a shower. They’ll be content as long as the water is still lukewarm. This may be a more comfortable option for some, as well as a more water-saving option.
Give Your Leaves a Wipe Down
Simply wiping off your Monstera plant leaves is one of the simplest ways to clean them. Wipe each leaf gently on both sides with a damp cloth or other tools (sponges also work great!). Make sure to support the side of the leaf that isn’t being wiped.
It is best to begin at the stem and work your way down to the leaf tip. Pay special attention to the underside, as this is where pests and dust like to congregate. Wipe down each leaf several times if necessary to ensure it is completely free of residue. The more dust that accumulates, the more difficult it is to remove.
Brush over the Foliage
Dust your Monstera on a regular basis with a rag, feather duster, or even a makeup brush. As with wiping them down, support each leaf as you clean it and work from stem to tip. This method is ideal for Monstera because it is designed for plants with large foliage.
If you’re having difficulty removing dust and other residues, try a solution of water and vinegar or water and lemon juice. The vinegar or lemon juice ratio should be kept to a minimum of two teaspoons per gallon of water. Keep in mind that this isn’t intended to be part of regular maintenance; it’s only for those times when the buildup is particularly stubborn.
Trim Dying Leaves
Though it may appear contradictory, you must trim and prune this plant in order for it to grow. This is especially true of withering leaves. Yellowing, browning or withered leaves should be removed as soon as possible. Otherwise, they will siphon nutrients from the healthy leaves.
When trimming, make sure to use a clean, sharp pair of shears. If you want larger leaves with distinct holes, you can also trim older or smaller leaves at the plant’s base. Leaves grow and die as nature intended. A large number of dying leaves on your Monstera, on the other hand, may signal a more serious problem (most likely root rot).
Three of the most common culprits are light, soil, and water; review these to ensure your plant is growing in the best conditions possible.
Clean The Pot
It’s a good idea to deep clean your Monstera pot at least once every other season. This allows you to refresh the soil, inspect your plant for root rot or mushy stems, determine the extent of any salt deposits, and look for fungus or other diseases.
Debris and deposits should be removed from both the inside and outside of the pot with a stiff brush and water. However, for particularly stubborn pieces, a pick, scraper, or other hard tools can be used.
To disinfect pots and ensure there are no lingering diseases or pests, soak them in a heavily diluted bleach mixture. One part unscented household bleach to nine parts water should be used, and the pots should soak for at least ten minutes.
If the pots are terracotta or another porous material, soak them for an additional ten minutes in clean water (no bleach). If you’re using plastic pots or other materials, just rinse them. Allow the pots to dry naturally.
Is it necessary to use leaf shine on your Monstera leaves?
No. You really shouldn’t. We all know that leaf polish or shine sprays make leaves shiny. But are they appropriate for your plants? No, and none of these products are recommended by us.
Why? Because of the various ingredients – waxes or oils – that may clog your plant’s stomata, preventing it from breathing normally. Remember that these plants use stomata to absorb carbon dioxide and convert it into food. They also need to transpire (lose water through stomata) to help regulate temperature and create the force that pulls water from the roots.
Do not use coconut oil, olive oil, baby oil, or any other similar products. They will only exacerbate dust accumulation and make cleaning much more difficult.
Monstera plants are lovely and easy to care for if you know how to look after them. This article has covered everything you need to know about cleaning Monstera leaves. You now understand the way to clean Monstera leaves and maintain their health. If you haven’t cleaned your Monstera in a while, go ahead and do so.
