Hydroponic monstera adansonii

Top tip: Fill the bowl with enough water to cover most of the roots. Pop the cork around the plant and into the bowl. If the leaves are droopy, they’ll soon perk up.

The always popular monstera adansonii is now available planted in a glass bottle. Not only does it make this plant look even more special, it makes it even easier to look after.

This method of growing is known as hydroponic planting, which means growing without soil. Your plant will just suck up all the water it needs. You’ve probably read our guidance saying plants don’t like their roots too wet, but that only applies to plants growing in soil. Bacteria breed quickly in very wet soil. That bacteria can attack your plant’s roots and make them rot. Because there’s no soil here, bacteria can’t breed and your plant is perfectly happy with wet roots. Remember to change the water every few weeks to keep it clean.

Plants usually take their nutrients from the soil, so hydroponic plants need to get their nutrients from plant food. Add a little to the water once a month and leave it in there for 24-48 hours. Your plant will then have taken all it needs and you can change the water again. You’ll only need to do this in spring and summer, because your plant won’t be growing in winter.

This plant does best in medium light, away from direct sun and very shady corners. Monstera adansonii is a vine, so its stems grow very long over time. If you’d prefer to keep them compact, snip them back to your chosen length whenever you like. It won’t hurt the plant. Putting this plant on a high shelf and letting the stems dangle to the floor looks great. 

Did you know?

Left to their own devices, monstera adansonii vines can grow up to 4 metres long.

This plant is 100% peat free.