Monstera Substrate

How to make Monstera substrate?

The perfect recipe for the substrate for Monstera is difficult to obtain, a lot depends on the conditions in our apartment, i.e. sunlight, humidity, temperature. It is certain that Monsteras and Philodendrons need a permeable substrate that will provide air access to the roots of the plant and at the same time will keep the humidity at the right level. Such a substrate should contain expanded clay, pebbles, vermiculite, perlite and nutrients which keep humidity e.g. coconut chips, coconut fiber or bark. Such a mixture shows the proper properties that a substrate for monstera should have.

Is peat substrate suitable for monstera?

Peat as the base of the mixture is the most suitable, just remember not to overdo it with its amount, because it can "close" the air spaces and cut off the air supply to the roots. An alternative idea for peat is coconut substrate or its mixture with peat in a 1:1 ratio. If you decide to use only the coconut substrate, remember to fertilize regularly, because the coconut itself does not contain nutrients.

Monsteras and Philodendrons like slightly acidic soils with a pH between 5.0 and 6.8. Therefore, for the mixture, we recommend using high peat, with an acidic pH and the use of appropriate additives to the substrate: Peat moss - pH approx. 4.5, Coconut fibers - pH 5.2-6.8, Pine bark - pH approx. 5.0.

If you do not have time to mix the substrate yourself or you are worried about the wrong mix ratio, you can buy a specialized, ready-made substrate for monsteras.