5 Simple Things Your Monstera Needs in September for a Smooth Transition Into Fall – Just Think Before You Water
The days are becoming shorter and monstera care is changing
My Monstera deliciosa is my most prized houseplant, towering above others in my indoor garden. I follow meticulous care to keep its statement foliage looking glossy and healthy, and come September this calls for a gentle transition into fall.
If you also have a monstera in your home, you'll know sudden environmental changes (like temperature and moisture) can trigger some dramatic reactions, like drooping and yellowing foliage. To avoid this in late summer, it's important to adjust watering as your monstera's growth is slowing down, clean leaves to brighten them up, and possibly relocate your plant as daylight hours reduce.
You may even want to consider adding a humidifier to your houseplant care kit (like this portable humidifier from Walmart) as the air may become drier over the coming weeks, which these tropical plants dislike. Here, with the help of a houseplant expert, I talk through what to do with a monstera in September with five key tasks.
1. Clean Your Monstera's Foliage
I adore the huge fenestrated leaves of my monstera, but this also makes them one of the houseplants that captures dust quickly. Leaving this layer of dust on your monstera leaves can block pores, hinder photosynthesis, and make the foliage look dull.
'September is a good time to clean the leaves, especially after a summer of open windows, fans, or extra dust in the home,' says houseplant expert Rosalin Ortega.
'I recommend gently wiping each leaf with a soft, damp cloth while supporting it from underneath. I also like to add a small amount of diluted neem oil (available at Walmart), which helps remove build-up and can help discourage common pests,' she adds.
Another way to clean houseplant leaves is with houseplant dusting gloves (like these from Amazon). I like to use these because they're made of soft microfiber and wipe dust away in one swipe.
Rosalin Ortega is the founder of All About Planties, an online houseplant shop helping beginners choose plants they can actually keep alive. She shares practical, real-world guidance on indoor plant care
2. Reduce Watering
When it comes to watering houseplants, it's no secret a lot can go wrong. One of the biggest indoor plant mistakes is maintaining a consistent watering schedule year-round. Instead, you should adjust how often you water your plants with the seasons.
'As the days become shorter and temperatures begin to cool, the soil may take longer to dry. This usually means the monstera will need water less often than it did during summer,' says Rosalin.
'I suggest checking the soil before watering and waiting until the top two inches feel dry. The important thing is to follow the soil rather than continuing with the same summer schedule,' she advises.
I always use my Amazon soil moisture meter before watering any of my plants. The probe detects the moisture level and gives you an instant reading, so you know when it's time to pick up your watering can.
Overwatering in fall can result in houseplant root rot, turn monstera leaves yellow, and generally lead to the decline of your plant.
3. Stop Fertilizing
One of the biggest parts of fall houseplant care is putting down the fertilizer, at least as a general rule of thumb. As your monstera slows down in September, there's not necessarily a need to provide a boost of essential plant nutrients that encourage growth.
'If the monstera is still actively producing new leaves, it can continue receiving a light feeding in September. I prefer a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength (like this Miracle-Gro indoor plant fertilizer from Lowe's). However, if growth has started to slow, you can reduce the frequency or stop fertilizing until spring,' says Rosalin.
'There is no need to force new growth when the plant is naturally beginning to slow down,' she adds.
It can be a fertilizing mistake to feed your monstera during fall and winter, where the feed can burn roots, oversaturate the soil, and encourage weak growth that can't cope with the shorter and cooler days.
In the meantime, you can pick up a specific monstera fertilizer from Amazon, ready for spring.
4. Relocate Your Monstera Somewhere Brighter
In their native habitat of the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, monstera grow beneath tree canopies where they experience dappled light. This means they can tolerate lower light, but will grow best in bright, indirect light.
As daylight hours start to reduce in September, you monstera will benefit from moving to a brighter spot. This will ensure it can still perform essential processes like photosynthesis.
'A spot that provided enough light in summer may become too dim as the days get shorter. If the monstera begins leaning, stretching, or producing smaller leaves, I recommend moving it a little closer to a bright window,' says Rosalin.
'Make the change gradually and continue protecting the leaves from strong direct afternoon sun which can cause leaf scorch. If natural light is limited, a full spectrum LED grow light can help provide the extra light the plant needs during the shorter days. Rotating the plant every week or two will also help it grow more evenly,' she adds.
You can get a grow light with a timer (like this from Amazon) for more convenience, and as Rosalin notes, houseplant rotation will encourage a more symmetrical silhouette.
5. Remove Damaged Foliage
If your monstera experienced any damage over summer, such as scorched leaves, fungal leaf spot, or discolored foliage from incorrect watering, September is a good time to remove the leaves.
Damaged leaves won't recover and could be draining the plant's energy. With September conditions being milder, it's a good opportunity to use essential pruning tools (like these Fiskars bypass pruning shears from Amazon) to cut off the damaged foliage at the base of the plant.
Take care not to prune more than one third of the plant, as this can cause shock and result in more stress symptoms. Likewise, clean your tools afterwards to prevent the risk of pests and diseases spreading.
Removing this from the plant will also strengthen it and make it less susceptible to houseplant pest damage over fall and winter, when pest populations often surge.
What to Shop
September is a good time to get your indoor garden in shape for fall. If you need to train an overgrown monstera, pick up a moss pole (like this from Amazon) to give it a support. Likewise, our tips on layering houseplants can transform your plant corner into a botanical spectacle for the home.
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