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Formal_Coyote_5004 t1_j1icnpo wrote

Reply to comment by ARaoulVermonter in they don't like dogs & they don't like cats...what about plants? by portersthumb

It’s not stretching lol but it might need water. The leaves are curling. I can’t talk I’ve never been able to keep a monstera alive 🤷‍♀️

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AudioxBlood t1_j1iimwq wrote

What soil are you using? That matters A LOT with monstera especially being inside. I'm in Texas, so my houseplants are outside during most of the year, however when I bring them in for winter, they manage well because the soil type I use for them allows for excellent drainage. They also do much better in clay pots in my experience. I have like 20ish house plants that I regularly ignore (monsteras like that, they do not like fussy owners) but their soil mix keeps them most happy.

I fuckin love me some houseplants, especially pothos and philodendrons (monstera is philo). You ever want some help, I'll be glad to!!

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Formal_Coyote_5004 t1_j1ijz50 wrote

Thank you!!! I’m having trouble with one right now haha! I’m using regular potting soil, lots of perlite, and bark. Just swapped with a friend and she’s had her monstera cutting in water for a long time. The roots were super healthy looking and long so I potted the cutting… maybe I should’ve planted in spaghum for a smoother transition? My leaves are curling but soil is still moist and everything is still green. I don’t wanna shock it any more so I’m leaving it alone… any suggestions? :)

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AudioxBlood t1_j1infue wrote

Too much moisture can cause root rot. Let it dry out entirely before watering again. That's likely why the leaves are curling. I usually use 1 part potting soil to 2 parts perlite/bark (so one part each). Bark holds moisture as well, and you want that soil to be chunky. In the words of a plant YouTuber "drown that ho" when it's time to water but let all the extra water out (if indoors you can water in the sink/bathtub/sterilite tote) because that extra water will allow for all the nasties to populate and eat those roots away with rot. And you'll be none the wiser until it just drops over dead one day.

The trick with growing them in water is you have to change the water out pretty regularly or the same thing will happen and you have to provide the nutrients that they are not getting from the soil when it's in water. Fish tanks are amazing to grow pothos and monstera in because they get all that lovely fish waste directly into their roots, and the water is being filtered by a hob or sponge filter etc.

When moving from water to soil, it's going to be a shock, and growing in moss does help that. You can also grow in moss+perlite+bark+soil, if you live in a hotter area (or your house is hotter) and heat sucks out the water from the soil faster. The moss will help keep the soil moist without being sopping wet.

Does any of that help and if not, hit me with your questions and I'll geek out all over again :)

Edit: also when moving from water to soil, let the roots "harden" by drying a bit! That way they have a "crust" on the outside kind of, for lack of a better way to explain it!

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Formal_Coyote_5004 t1_j1ipc64 wrote

Thank you! I’m not new to plants, I just have a hard time with monsteras. They’re my enemy hahaha! I hate how I have trouble with them. I’m gonna leave her alone for awhile. If I don’t see a change in the next few days I’ll take it out, check for root rot and repot with more bark. I put SO much perlite in the mix idk how it’s still so wet

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