Provide it with bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity with temperatures between 65°F to 85°F. Regularly fertilize with a balanced NPK ratio and ensure the soil is well-drained and rich in humus.
Achieving flowering in Monstera plants is straightforward with the right care, focusing on light, temperature, humidity, fertilization, and soil quality. Despite the challenges posed by their unique fenestration, a bit of patience and proper care can significantly increase your Monstera’s chances of blooming.
Our guide offers essential tips and a simple strategy to encourage your Monstera to flower, highlighting the importance of blooms for the plant’s health and aesthetic appeal. Follow our advice to unlock the full flowering potential of your Monstera.
Key Takeaways
- Monstera needs bright, indirect light to promote healthy growth and flowering.
- High humidity and temperatures between 65°F to 85°F are essential for Monstera.
- Regular fertilization with a balanced NPK ratio supports flowering.
- Pruning helps maintain plant health and can encourage flowering.
- Well-drained, humus-rich soil is crucial for Monstera’s growth and bloom.
Table of Contents
Importance of Getting Monstera To Flower
Let’s get to know Monstera flowers before discussing the step-by-step guide to promoting the blooms at home! Monstera is a flowering tropical plant belonging to the aroid family.
Hence, you may notice that the flower is closely similar to Lily since both are in the same group. Fun fact: the white bloom we expect to be the flower is unlike what we are thinking.
The white thing is called spathe or inflorescence, while the tiny flowers are growing on the spadix of Monstera.
Interestingly, the spadix will later grow and develop into edible Monstera fruit with a mouth-watering taste you can eat once it ripens. Many argue that the flavor resembles a mixture of tropical heaves between pineapples, bananas, and coconuts.
Besides transforming into a fruit, the flower emits a mild and pleasant scent to attract pollinators, specifically Trigona bees. Without pollination, your Monstera won’t produce fruit.
Therefore, to enjoy the fruit, getting the tropicals into flowering is vital. Other than that, the flower is stunning and adds a lovely sight to your plant.
Understanding Monstera Flowering Process
As much as you want to have Monstera flower, having a better understanding of the flowering process, the factors, and the plant care tips is no less essential. The gardening tips will guide you through the world of Monstera you probably don’t have insights before.
Hence, you will get healthy Monstera with the bloom you always try to get. Let’s dive in!
1. Factors that Affect Monstera’s Flowering Process
Monstera will rise healthily if they grow in preferable conditions. As tropical plants, they love to soak under bright, indirect sunlight.
This kind of light requirement helps this variegated plant to flourish with solid roots and lavish green leaves and use the water efficiently. Plenty of light also boosts the flowering process, though you must remember that your Monstera must be at least three years of age to bloom.
In addition to lighting conditions, you should take temperatures and humidity into account. These tropicals favor high humidity, just like in their natural habitat.
If you grow them outdoors, monitor the humidity around 70-80% with temperatures ranging from 65°F to 85°F. Offer shelter if the temperature drops, as it is commonly followed by low moisture.
This condition will make the plant stop growing altogether; thus, you can’t get the expected bloom.
Regarding the humidity, you can also encourage proper condition by scheduling watering for your Monstera. Like other tropicals, Monstera needs plenty of water. Hence, weekly watering is crucial to ensure plant growth and promote flowering eventually.
Without adequate water, the plant will droop. But if you give too much, you will see yellowing leaves starting from the base.
Furthermore, the planting location is a vital factor you cannot skip. If you want to get Monstera flowers, consider growing your Monstera outdoors. Outdoor gardening offers natural lights, and humidity Monstera Deliciosa plants love.
However, pay close attention to the gardening tips and requirements above to provide proper growing conditions. Also, we highly recommend fertilizing Monstera for blooms to add more nutrients.
2. Timing of Monstera Flowering
Information regarding the exact timing of Monstera flowering is lacking. This is because Monstera generally produces blooms only in its natural habitat. And that they don’t have specific blooming seasons, unlike other flowering tropicals.
Meanwhile, Monstera that grows in the nursery is more tricky to develop flowers. It may be caused by the growing conditions that are less similar to its native habitat.
However, we know that Monstera will go dormant in the cold seasons, from autumn October to winter. They will wake up in the spring and summer.
During that time, you can expect new leafy growth. And if you are lucky, you may see its flower starting to rise. But it must be taken into account that the age of your Monstera is the key! Also, proper flowering Monstera care is crucial to guarantee a successful flowering stage.
3. Signs that Monstera is Ready to Flower
Despite the fact that Monstera plants that grow in the wild are the ones which will produce blooms, there’s nothing wrong to get insights into signs they show when they are about to flower.
The first sign is none other than your Monstera is mature. You can see vividly the fenestration, holes, and sometimes split leaves once the plant reaches 2 to 5 years old after planting.
By that time, you can prepare yourself to encourage flowering. Scroll down to know tips on how to get Monstera to flower!
Besides, you may notice that your tropical beauties start developing flower stalks or peduncles with around 2-18 inches. Then, the spadix emerges in the center of the plant. The spadix will rise up to 6 inches before being covered with a white, boat-like inflorescence that many think that’s the bloom.
This white ‘flower’ will last for 2-3 days and then fall off, leaving the spadix alone. In addition, Monstera spadix will further grow into a tasty fruit. It is rare for Monstera to bear fruit.
Thus, people call it a delicacy.
4. How Long Does It Take Monstera to Bloom?
Your Monstera plants need to be mature to bloom. Generally, it takes three years after planting before they are ready to flower and bear fruits. Nonetheless, the period may vary from 2 to 5 years depending on growing conditions and the species.
Unlike other flowers that require specific time to fully blooming, Monstera Deliciosa will produce flowers with the fruit. It is because the plant needs a lengthy period to mature, have the bloom, and eventually fruiting.
The Monstera spadix, which was previously hidden inside the white inflorescence, will later transform into a long, kernel-like fruit you can consume once it ripens.
Steps to Encourage Monstera Flowering
We should acknowledge that most Monstera plants grow flowers in the wild. So, encouraging Monstera blooms as houseplants or garden plants may be tricky. However, it will be unfortunate not to give a shot to help these beauties blooming.
Hence, we have prepared some indoor plant flowering tips on how to get Monstera to flower as well as simple gardening techniques to support the growth.
1. Ensure Proper Lighting Conditions
If you want to have a healthy Monstera with flowers, you should not ignore light requirements. It is essential to ensure photosynthesis, a process which produces energy to thrive.
Besides, the process helps your Monstera leaves to get that dark green color.
Furthermore, light is crucial to promote fenestration as well as flowering. Those tropicals that don’t get enough light will grow small without fenestration.
You can also expect no blooms in the near future.
To ensure proper sunlight exposure, consider planting Monstera under bright, indirect light. If you grow them in pots, set them near your patio where the roof can protect them from the scorching sun.
Alternatively, setting up the planters under shady trees is also a great idea.
2. Maintaining Optimal Temperature and Humidity
As we previously discussed, Monstera plants favor high moisture (60-80%) with mild temperatures of approximately 65°F to 85°F.
You can get the requirements by adding water to the soil once the surface, around 2 inches, is dry. Low humidity may cause yellowing and browning leaves which later will droop.
Meanwhile, extremely hot temperatures will lead to crisp foliage. With that being said, flowering may be hampered due to these extreme conditions. Therefore, it is important to adjust those factors to stimulate blooming.
You can provide shelter for your Monstera to the terrace when the arid and blistering summer season comes. Don’t forget to schedule regular watering to avoid dehydration.
3. Fertilization Techniques
Besides the growing conditions, fertilization is another flowering Monstera care you must take note of. Even though they are not heavy feeders, giving nutrient boosts will help encourage flowering.
Moreover, Monstera in pots usually depletes nutrients so fast, knowing they don’t have sources of organic matter other than the soil.
Choose fertilizers with nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that can enhance growth, including flowering. There are several formulations and rations you can pick. But for blooming, the 15-30-15 ratio is the best.
If you try liquid fertilizer, see the instructions. Blend it with water to half-strength to avoid fertilizer burn. You can add the mixture following the watering schedule.
However, the granule fertilizer can be applied directly to the soil. We usually mix it with the potting soil to get better results. The same method also applies to compost.
As a side note, don’t fertilize Monstera during their dormancy (usually from fall to winter). The best time to add fertilizer for Monstera is around spring and summer when the tropicals are at their fast growth stage.
4. Proper Pruning and Maintenance of The Plant
Healthy Monstera plants grow fast, around 1-2 feet per year. That’s why it is essential to prune the leaves before they grow too dense. As much as you love the appeal, lavish leaves with emerging branches are heavy for the plant.
Besides, they take up more energy which can be transferred into growing new foliage and flowers. Another benefit of trimming Monstera is to get rid of dead leaves, spot pests, and diseases, and install stakes to support the upward growth.
You can cut the older leaves about 2 inches below the node. It is important to note that the node is where your plant will raise new leaves. So, make sure not to hurt it.
For extra maintenance, removing dust and dirt on the leaf surfaces will be nice because it may block the stomata. This plant part is crucial to regulate the plant’s oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange.
Also, spray neem oil with water to prevent a pest invasion.
5. Soil Preparation
Despite loving high humidity, Monstera plants prefer well-drained soils. This soil type is necessary to prevent root rot. Thus, the water won’t sit too long on the ground. Besides, good drainage avoids fungal infections due to high moisture.
Moreover, soil preparation is vital to ensure your tropical beauties receive adequate nutrients when you can’t fertilize them yet.
For that reason, choose humus-rich potting soil that contains plenty of organic matter the plant can utilize to thrive. Add peat moss as an extra drainage that offers organic matter.
In addition, pay attention to the soil pH. The tropicals love slightly acidic soil with a pH range of around 5.5 to 7.0, which helps them grow solid roots. If you grow them in pots, pick those with drainage holes.
Common Monstera Flowering Problems and Solutions
There are always issues and challenges when it comes to growing Monstera and promoting flowering. The problems generally revolve around maintenance errors.
Thus, the tropicals will rebel a little and experience slow growth.
In addition to how to get Monstera to flower, we will break down some common issues the Monstera lovers may potentially encounter when trying to get their plants to flower.
The indoor plant flowering tips and solutions are included!
1. Common Issues that Can Affect Monstera Flowering
Generally, problems that arise when promoting flowering in Monstera are caused by errors in maintenance. Some of the most common are lighting and water requirements.
Many think that tropical plants will survive under direct sunlight. In fact, most of them love sheltered light to protect their foliage from the burning sun. This light requirement error can be fatal because their leaves will slowly turn yellow before getting brown and drooping.
We assume you know that leaves are the places where photosynthesis to produce energy takes place. Hence, their wilting can inhibit flowering as the plant lacks energy. These symptoms usually also appear when they lack water. It’s just that the leaves don’t turn brown.
Some Monstera owners give excess moisture hoping the plants don’t dry out. Instead, their roots will sink and deplete oxygen.
Not only that, but also the problem of pruning often occurs, especially for beginners. They will cut above the nodes or even right at the nodes. Others don’t even prune because they like thick Monstera.
2. How to Identify and Solve These Problems?
If you notice yellowing leaves but with no browning, it may be an alert from your Monstera that they need more water. You can observe this issue by checking the soil surface.
Suppose the 2 inches of the surface is dry. In that case, adding water is the best solution to deal with this problem. We highly encourage you to set a watering schedule to prevent the event from happening in the future.
Furthermore, you can expect crisp edges with yellowing leaves if you expose your Monstera under a blistering sun.
In this case, you must take them indoors to avoid further damage. It also allows the plant to cool down. Once the temperature decreases, offer them water to keep the moisture on track. Remove the yellowing leaves to reduce energy use.
As for the pruning, lavish Monstera tends to grow droop. You may also notice pest invasion since older leaves are prone to those culprits. They usually love to reside beneath the foliage.
Not only that, but you can examine that your plant grows slowly. It is because the energy needed is higher to supply the old foliage.
Hence, trim your Monstera to stimulate leaves, flowers, and fruit. Besides, you may easily spot pests or disease problems and take immediate treatments. Thus, your Monstera will grow healthier.
Final Thoughts
How to get Monstera to flower? The answer is proper care, maintenance, and patience! As long as you pay attention to the factors that affect the growth of Monstera, such as humidity, temperature, water intake, light, soil, and other upkeep, the chance you get to have blooms is higher.
Also, pay attention to the age of the Monstera you have. They won’t give you flowers until you’re mature–usually take 2 to 5 years.
We highly recommend growing Monstera outdoors to promote flowering, as the condition mimics their natural habitat. But growing indoors is a great idea if you just want to have a Monstera with dense foliage.
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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why is my Monstera not flowering?
Your Monstera might not be flowering due to inadequate light, needing bright, indirect sunlight, and possibly insufficient nutrients and water.
Place it in a well-lit area, maintain a consistent watering schedule of once every two weeks (preferably weekly), and fertilize regularly to encourage blooming.
Will Monstera flower indoors?
Monstera Deliciosa flowering indoors is rare due to its high natural light requirements and need for space to grow, which are more easily met outdoors.
However, flowering is possible indoors if the plant is grown in a greenhouse where growing conditions can be closely monitored and optimized.
Is pruning necessary for Monstera to produce flowers?
Pruning is essential for Monstera Deliciosa care to maintain shape and promote healthier growth, which can indirectly support flowering.
While there’s no guarantee pruning alone will stimulate blooms, it is highly recommended as part of regular care for the plant.
What is the best time of year for Monstera to flower?
The best time of year for Monstera to flower is during spring and summer, as these seasons provide optimal conditions for growth and blooming, contrasting with its dormant period in October.
Encouraging flowering involves fertilizing and ensuring the plant receives bright, indirect sunlight.
Will Monstera flower without the presence of a mature plant?
No, Monstera will not flower without reaching maturity, which typically occurs around three years of age. Flowering and fruiting depend on factors like light conditions, watering schedule, and humidity.
Adequate care, especially providing bright, indirect light, is essential for encouraging Monstera to flower.
Can changing the lighting conditions encourage Monstera to flower?
Yes, changing the lighting conditions to bright, indirect light can encourage Monstera to flower. Insufficient light leads to leggy growth and small leaves, negatively affecting flowering.
Positioning the plant in a semi-sheltered area to avoid direct sunlight and adding fertilizer can further enhance blooming.
