Overwatering is the most common mistake that beginners make. It’s easy to assume more water equals a healthier plant, but monstera suffer far more from too much attention than too little.
Getting the perfect balance of moisture and a solid understanding of when to water will keep your monstera strong and healthy, and avoid that dreaded root rot.
My Watering Rule
I always allow the top 3–5 cm of soil to dry out before watering again. This simple method prevents most common issues and helps to maintain a healthy root system.
The easiest and most reliable technique I use to check soil moisture is just sticking a finger into the soil. If your finger comes out with a light dusting of soil, it’s time to water your plant.
What’s important to keep in mind is we can’t really feel dampness. The combination of temperature and texture is what your skin senses to give you the sensation of something being damp. This means:
- Warm, loose soil can feel dryer than it really is.
- Cold, compacted soil can feel wetter than it really is.
It can take a bit of experience to figure out what your soil feels like, but developing this skill will help with watering all of your houseplants.
Because monstera are sensitive to overwatering, a well-draining soil mix is vital for keeping the plant’s roots healthy. I think this is especially important for monstera beginners, as a good mix gives you a lot more room for error. Our bestselling monstera soil mix is designed to maximise drainage and balance moisture.
Another thing I pay attention to is the weight of the pot—a dry plant will feel noticeably lighter than a freshly watered one.
General Watering Schedule
- Spring/Summer: every 7–10 days
- Autumn/Winter: every 10–20 days
These are rough guidelines, not strict rules. Factors like light, temperature, pot size, and soil mix all influence how quickly the soil dries out. I always treat the schedule as a reference point and make the final decision based on the conditions of the soil.
Signs of Overwatering
- Yellow leaves
- Mushy stems
- Fungus gnats
- Wet soil weeks after watering
Overwatering symptoms usually show up slowly at first. You might notice one or two yellow leaves, but if the issue continues, it can quickly lead to root rot.
It’s always best to act as soon as you spot any issues.
Before adjusting watering frequency, check that your pot’s drainage holes aren’t blocked and the soil isn’t compacted. Both of these issues are signs that your monstera needs repotting into a larger pot.
Signs of Underwatering
- Drooping leaves
- Curling leaf edges
- Dry soil pulling away from pot edges
Underwatering is generally easier to fix than overwatering. A good soak usually perks the plant back up within a day or two. That said, repeated underwatering can stress the plant and lead to weaker growth over time.
How I Water My Monstera
When I water, I soak the soil thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot. This ensures the entire root system receives moisture, not just the top layer.
I avoid light, frequent watering because it encourages shallow roots. Deep watering promotes stronger, more resilient growth and helps prevent dry pockets in the soil.
I also make sure to empty any excess water from the saucer after watering, as letting the plant sit in old water is an easy path to root rot.
Why I Bottom Water (and you should too)
Bottom watering will always be the method I use to water monstera.
How it works:
- Place the pot in a deep tray, bowl or bucket of fresh water.
- Let the soil mix absorb moisture through the drainage holes.
- Leave it for 20–40 minutes
- Remove and allow excess water to drain fully.
Why it’s worth the effort:
- Encourages deep root growth as roots grow downward to find water
- Prevents water from sitting on the surface, reducing risk of fungus gnats
- Ensures even moisture distribution throughout the soil
- Helps avoid compacting the top layer of soil
It takes a bit more time and effort but it leads to healthier, more stable plants. To be honest, I feel this is what separates good monstera owners from bad ones. And I do understand why lots of people just use a watering can and call it a day.
When a monstera gets to a certain size, lugging the plant around feels like too much trouble.
I keep my big monstera in the living room, and it’s not easy to get it to the sink. The best way I’ve found to bottom water is:
- Transfer the plant pot to a bucket
- Add water to the bucket with a watering can
- Leave for 40 minutes
- Get a large tray with a rack (I use and old cat litter tray and a cooling rack)
- Move the plant onto the tray to drain
For me, this is the easiest (and least messy) way that I’ve found to bottom water a big plant.
Enjoying Watering
Watering is still a chore for me, but it’s one I’ve come to appreciate.
The process gives me a reason to check the plant properly and notice things I might have otherwise missed. And it’s not really about spotting problems, I’m normally seeing something good, like a new leaf forming and the first little splits of new fenestration.
Of course, it’s not always so exciting. Normally it’s just another thing to get through but, for me, it’s the routine part of the hobby that keeps me invested over time.
Final Thoughts
Getting watering right is one of the biggest steps towards keeping a healthy monstera. Once you get a handle on how quickly the soil dries out, watering becomes second nature.
For some more advice about repotting, providing good lighting, and if you should mist your monstera, check out my complete monstera care guide.
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