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Monstera Hacks: Make Your Cheese Plant Grow HUGE Leaves Indoors | Propagation, Pruning & Moss Pole
Sep 15, 2025
Monstera Hacks: Make Your Cheese Plant Grow HUGE Leaves Indoors | Propagation, Pruning & Moss Pole Want to grow a big, beautiful Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa) with giant, split leaves? 🌿 In this video, I’ll show you everything you need to know about Monstera care — from light, watering, and soil to pruning, propagation, and fixing common problems like yellow or brown leaves. We’ll cover: ✔️ The best light for big fenestrated leaves ✔️ How to water your Cheese Plant (without causing root rot) ✔️ The perfect chunky soil mix for healthy roots ✔️ When and how to repot your Monstera ✔️ How to use a moss pole to train dramatic growth ✔️ Propagation tips using cuttings and aerial roots ✔️ Pruning hacks for bushier growth ✔️ Easy fixes for yellow, brown, or drooping leaves ✔️ Pro tips to keep your Monstera thriving indoors By the end, you’ll know exactly how to care for your Cheese Plant so it grows strong, lush, and jungle-like in your home. 👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more easy houseplant care guides! 💬 Let me know in the comments: What’s your biggest Monstera struggle? 🌱 Suggested Tags / Keywords
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0:00
Do you want a house plant that instantly
0:02
transforms your space into a tropical
0:04
jungle with giant split leaves that look
0:07
like they belong in a rainforest? That's
0:09
the legendary cheese plant or monstera
0:12
delissiosa. But here's the truth. If you
0:15
don't know the right care tips, your
0:17
monstera can quickly turn into a sad
0:19
mess of yellow leaves, drooping stems,
0:21
and tangled roots. Today, I'll show you
0:24
exactly how to care for your monstera.
0:26
how to propagate it, prune it, train it
0:28
on a moss pole, and the hacks that will
0:30
make it thrive year after year.
0:34
[Music]
0:35
The cheese plant, Monstera delissiosa,
0:38
is native to the lush tropical
0:40
rainforests of Central America, where it
0:42
naturally climbs tall trees using its
0:44
aerial roots to reach for light in the
0:46
dense jungle canopy. Its nickname cheese
0:50
plant comes from the unique natural
0:52
holes and splits in its large glossy
0:54
leaves that resemble Swiss cheese, a
0:57
feature known as fenistration. These
0:59
dramatic leaves not only help the plant
1:01
withstand strong winds and heavy rain in
1:04
the wild, but also make it a striking
1:06
decorative plant indoors. Over the
1:08
years, the monstera has become one of
1:10
the most popular house plants worldwide.
1:12
Loved for its bold architectural foliage
1:15
and reputation as a relatively
1:17
lowmaintenance plant that brings a touch
1:19
of tropical elegance to any home or
1:21
office space, the cheese plant thrives
1:23
best in bright indirect light, which
1:26
mimics the dappled sunshine it would
1:28
receive under the canopy of rainforest
1:30
trees. When grown in too little light,
1:32
the plant will often produce smaller
1:34
leaves that lack the iconic splits and
1:36
holes, giving it a less dramatic
1:38
appearance and slowing its overall
1:40
growth. On the other hand, placing it in
1:43
direct harsh sunlight can quickly scorch
1:45
the delicate leaves, leaving behind
1:48
unsightly brown patches. The key is
1:50
finding a balance near a bright window
1:52
with filtered light or slightly pulled
1:54
back from direct rays to encourage large
1:57
healthy fenestrated leaves without
1:58
risking damage. Watering should be done
2:01
only when the top couple of inches of
2:03
soil feel dry as monsteras are prone to
2:05
root rot if left sitting in soggy
2:07
conditions. Always use a pot with
2:10
drainage holes and adjust watering less
2:12
in winter when growth slows. The ideal
2:15
soil mix is chunky and airy. A blend of
2:18
potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.
2:20
Because compact soil suffocates the
2:22
roots and holds too much moisture.
2:25
Temperature- wise, the plant thrives in
2:27
a tropical range of 1827° C, 6580° F,
2:32
and should be kept away from cold drafts
2:34
as it struggles below 10° C, 50° F. High
2:39
humidity is also key to lush growth. So,
2:42
adding a humidifier, using pebble trays,
2:44
or grouping plants together can help
2:46
mimic the rainforestike conditions that
2:48
cheese plants love. In their natural
2:50
rainforest habitat, cheese plants are
2:52
climbers using strong aerial roots to
2:55
grip onto tree trunks as they grow
2:56
upward toward the light. Indoors, they
2:59
benefit from a moss pole or similar
3:01
support, which helps mimic this natural
3:03
climbing habit and encourages the plant
3:05
to develop larger, more dramatic leaves.
3:08
To install a moss pole, simply place it
3:11
firmly into the pot near the base of the
3:13
plant and gently secure the stems with
3:15
soft ties. Misting the pole regularly
3:18
keeps it moist, encouraging aerial roots
3:20
to attach and climb. These aerial roots
3:23
serve as anchors in the wild and help
3:25
the plant absorb moisture. And indoors,
3:27
they can be guided into the moss pole,
3:29
tucked neatly into the soil for extra
3:31
stability, or trimmed back safely if
3:34
they grow unruly. With proper support,
3:36
your monstera will thrive as a bold
3:39
upward growing statement plant.
3:41
Repotting a cheese plant is an important
3:43
part of keeping it healthy and thriving.
3:46
And there are a few clear signs that
3:47
it's time to give it a new home. Roots
3:50
growing out of the drainage holes, soil
3:52
that dries out unusually fast or
3:55
noticeably slowed growth. The best time
3:58
to repot is in spring or summer when the
4:00
plant is actively growing and can
4:02
recover quickly. Choose a pot that's
4:04
about 2 in larger in diameter than the
4:07
current one, making sure it has good
4:09
drainage. Gently remove the plant from
4:11
its old pot. Shake off some of the tired
4:13
soil and check the roots for any signs
4:15
of rot or damage. Refresh with a chunky,
4:18
well- draining mix. Potting soil blended
4:21
with perlite and orchid bark is ideal.
4:23
Then, position the monstera in its new
4:25
pot, filling in around the roots.
4:28
Finally, water lightly to help it settle
4:30
in. This simple process gives your plant
4:33
fresh nutrients, more space to grow, and
4:36
the best chance at producing those
4:38
iconic oversized leaves.
4:41
Propagating a cheese plant is one of the
4:43
most rewarding ways to expand your
4:45
collection or share with friends. And
4:47
the best method is by taking a stem
4:49
cutting that includes at least one node
4:51
and ideally an aerial root. You can root
4:54
the cutting in water where you'll easily
4:56
see new roots forming or place it
4:58
directly into soil for a faster
5:00
transition to a potted plant. To
5:03
propagate, use clean, sharp scissors to
5:05
cut just below a node. Remove any lower
5:07
leaves and place the cutting in a jar of
5:10
fresh water or a pot of moist, well-
5:12
draining soil. If using water, change it
5:14
every few days until healthy white roots
5:16
develop. Then transfer the cutting into
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soil. Afterare is simple. Keep the young
5:22
plant in bright indirect light. Maintain
5:24
lightly moist soil and avoid
5:26
overwatering. With patience, your new
5:29
monstera will establish itself and begin
5:31
producing the lush split leaves it's
5:33
famous for. Pruning a cheese plant is
5:35
essential for keeping it healthy,
5:37
manageable, and looking its best.
5:39
Especially since monsteras can grow
5:41
quite large and unruly over time.
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Regular trimming helps control the
5:45
plant's size. Removes damaged or
5:47
yellowing leaves and shapes it for a
5:49
fuller, more attractive appearance.
5:52
Always use clean, sharp shears to
5:54
prevent infection, and make your cuts
5:56
just above a node. The point on the stem
5:58
where leaves and aerial roots emerge, as
6:00
this is where new growth will sprout.
6:03
Strategic pruning not only tidies the
6:05
plant, but also encourages bushier
6:07
growth by stimulating multiple stems to
6:09
develop from the base. With consistent
6:12
pruning and shaping, your monstera will
6:14
maintain a balanced, lush, and striking
6:17
presence in your home. Cheese plants are
6:19
generally hearty, but they can develop a
6:21
few common problems that are easy to fix
6:23
once you know what to look for. Yellow
6:25
leaves often indicate overwatering, poor
6:28
drainage, or simply natural aging of
6:30
older foliage. The solution is to adjust
6:33
your watering routine, check that roots
6:35
aren't rotting, and prune any old yellow
6:37
leaves. Brown tips or edges usually
6:40
signal low humidity, inconsistent
6:42
watering, or salt buildup in the soil,
6:44
raising humidity. Keeping a steady
6:46
watering schedule and occasionally
6:48
flushing the soil can correct this.
6:51
Drooping leaves can result from thirst,
6:53
root problems, or transplant shock. So,
6:56
it's important to monitor soil moisture
6:58
and give the plant time to recover after
7:00
repotting. Lastly, while monsteras are
7:03
fairly pest resistant, they can
7:05
occasionally attract spidermitites,
7:07
scale, or thris, regular leaf
7:09
inspections, wiping leaves clean, and
7:12
natural treatments like insecttoidal
7:14
soap or neem oil, help keep pests under
7:16
control. Feeding your cheese plant
7:18
during its active growing season,
7:20
typically spring and summer, helps
7:22
support healthy foliage and vigorous
7:24
growth. A balanced liquid fertilizer
7:28
applied every 4 6 weeks is ideal for
7:31
providing the essential nutrients
7:32
without overwhelming the plant. It's
7:35
important to follow the recommended
7:36
dilution on the label as overfertilizing
7:39
can cause leaf burn, yellowing, or
7:42
crispy tips. By feeding consistently but
7:45
carefully, you'll encourage your
7:46
monstera to develop lush, vibrant leaves
7:49
while avoiding nutrient- related stress.
7:51
Here are some simple hacks and pro tips
7:53
to help your cheese plant thrive and
7:55
look its best. Rotate the pot regularly
7:58
to ensure even growth and prevent the
8:00
plant from leaning toward the light.
8:02
Dust the large leaves frequently as
8:05
clean leaves can photosynthesize more
8:07
efficiently and stay healthy. If your
8:09
tap water is hard or heavily
8:11
chlorinated, consider using rain water
8:13
or filtered water to avoid mineral
8:15
buildup. Train your monstera early on a
8:18
moss pole to encourage dramatic
8:20
fenistrated leaves and a bold climbing
8:22
habit. And don't be afraid to prune.
8:25
Cutting back strategically not only
8:27
controls size but also promotes stronger
8:29
bushier growth, helping your plant
8:31
flourish indoors. Finally, to answer
8:34
some frequently asked questions,
8:36
monsteras can grow quite large indoors
8:38
with leaves reaching up to 3 ft long
8:41
under ideal conditions. Though their
8:43
overall size is usually limited by pot
8:45
space and indoor light levels, it's
8:48
important to note that monsteras are
8:49
toxic to pets, including cats and dogs,
8:52
due to calcium oxalate crystals. So,
8:54
keep them out of reach or in a safe
8:56
location. Growth rate varies with care,
8:58
light, and environment, but under bright
9:01
indirect light, and proper humidity,
9:03
monsteras can grow several new leaves
9:05
each year. While they thrive outdoors in
9:08
tropical or subtropical climates, they
9:10
cannot tolerate frost or temperatures
9:12
below 10° C, 50° F. So, in cooler
9:16
regions, they should be kept as indoor
9:18
plants or brought inside during colder
9:20
months. As you can see, with the right
9:22
care, your cheese plant will reward you
9:25
with massive jungle-like leaves and
9:27
years of growth. Remember, light, water
9:30
balance, support, and a little pruning
9:33
make all the difference. If you found
9:35
this guide helpful, hit that like
9:37
button, subscribe for more plant hacks,
9:39
and let me know in the comments what's
9:41
your biggest monster a struggle. And I'm
9:44
sure you're going to enjoy this next
9:46
video on 13 snake plant hacks that will
9:48
make your snake plant thrive like never
9:50
before.
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