Growing in the Ground

• 1). Choose a planting spot in heavy to medium shade, preferably under an evergreen shade tree such as a live oak. Monstera is a climbing plant, so if a small plant is placed close to the trunk, it can be trained to grow up the tree.
  
  
• 2). Remove the plant from its container, and loosen the bottom roots, especially if they are growing in a circle in the bottom of the pot. Cut through the roots on four sides of the root ball from top to bottom with a sharp knife to allow roots to spread.
  
  
• 3). Dig a hole twice the diameter of and 3 inches deeper than the root ball. Fill the hole with water and allow it to soak in.
  
  
• 4). Place enough composted manure into the bottom of the hole to raise the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the top of the hole. Place the plant into the hole. Fill the hole halfway, alternating 1-inch layers of compost with the original soil.
  
  
• 5). Using the handle of the shovel, poke around the added soil and manure to eliminate air pockets. Fill the hole with water, and fill the remainder of the hole in layers while water is soaking in to keep air pockets from forming. Refill with water during this procedure as necessary. Sprinkle a cup of Epsom salts around the plant and water in well. Add 3 inches of mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
  
  
• 6). Water three times a week for two weeks and twice a week for two weeks. Then fertilize with an all-purpose fertilizer high in nitrogen. Water once a week thereafter for every week there isn't an inch of rain. Fertilize once a month from March through October.
  
  

Growing Outdoors in Pots

• 1). Place your potted Monstera outdoors in a heavily shaded location after nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees. Choose a spot where it will have room to spread out.
  
  
• 2). Fertilize the plant monthly with a fertilizer specified for fruits and vegetables if you desire fruit. Fertilize with an all-purpose liquid fertilizer if you are growing the plant only for foliage. Water when the top inch of the soil is dry. Do not over water.
  
  
• 3). Spray your Monstera frequently with a fine mist of water. Do not spray during the hottest part of the day, as this may cause leaf damage. Do not use leaf shine, as it stops up the stomata on the leaves and can cause leaf death.