For decades, Monstera plants have been popular with plant enthusiasts for their unique characteristics and aesthetic appeal. However, due to the rarity of these plants, many often miss out on the joy of owning a Monstera.
Therefore, houseplant owners are looking for new ways to propagate their Monstera, and one such way is to grow them by seed.
Can You Grow a Monstera From Seed?
Fortunately, certain Monstera plants can easily grow from seeds. Monstera deliciosa seeds are harvested from their fruit. However, as indoor plants, Monstera deliciosa seldom grows fruits, so you must get the Monstera seeds from a plant center or online.
If you are a novice or an expert at growing plants from seeds, Monstera seeds are typically easy to grow. Germinating Monstera seeds can take at least ten days before they sprout, and you also have to take special care of the conditions you expose the seedling to.
While plant species require different care, growing Monstera deliciosa from seed is relatively simple.
Should You Grow Monstera Seeds?
Growing Monstera seeds takes a certain level of commitment from plant owners. Often, houseplant owners wonder if growing Monstera seeds is worth the effort. The shortest answer is that it is worth it.
The slightly longer answer is that growing Monstera plants from seeds brings offers many benefits, including:
- It’s less costly since a mature Monstera plant can cost a lot, especially variegated or extremely rare ones.
- You will get multiple seeds so you can grow several new Monstera plants.
- It’s more rewarding.
- The Monstera plant will be better adapted to your home.
How to Grow Monstera From Seed
Moving on to the main topic, now that you are sure you want to grow Monstera seeds, you must know how to do it. Therefore, read the step-by-step guide below before you start the endeavor.
Step 1: Choose The Seeds
Before you choose to grow Monstera seeds, you must first decide on the type of Monstera plant you want to grow and what to look for when buying the seeds.
For novice plant growers, getting Monstera deliciosa seeds might be the right choice. These seeds are the least expensive and most commonly grown indoor plants. Moreover, they are not as delicate as other Monstera species.
When buying Monstera seeds, look for reputable sellers. While Monstera seeds are less expensive than a mature plant, that does not mean they are cheap. Hence, if you are getting cheap seeds, consider it a red flag.
Monstera seeds are around the size of a pea and are usually green. Moreover, check to see when the seeds were harvested.
Monstera deliciosa seeds do not have a long shelf life, lasting only a few months after harvest. Additionally, ensure that the seeds were harvested when the fruit was ripe.
Step 2: Soaking the seeds
Plant seeds have a dormancy period where they do not grow until they receive the required conditions. These conditions typically involve lots of water to induce germination, at which point the seeds start to grow.
While no rule says that soaking is a must, it is common practice among gardeners to help the seeds grow.
There are two most common ways to germinate Monstera seeds:
- Soaking Seeds Method: To help soften the Testa (outer layer of the seed), seeds are soaked in warm water for 24-48 hours. This helps the seeds soak up water and start germinating quickly.
- Paper Towel Germination Method: While not as common, the paper towel method helps keep an eye on germination progress. Cover the seeds with paper towels and spray them with water. Then, wait for the seed to sprout within four days.
Make sure that you soak several seeds at the same time because not every seed will germinate. Moreover, some may germinate only to die as seedlings. Hence, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Step 3: Preparing the Soil
Preparing the soil involves choosing the right mix for your Monstera seed and ensuring that it provides the perfect condition for growing.
Before preparing the soil, wear latex gloves and clean your digging and shoveling tools. This is to ensure that the soil does not get contaminated. Then, choose a small pot to grow the seeds in.
Typically, a clay pot works best for growing monstera deliciosa, but you should use a plastic pot for a seedling.
To ensure you grow healthy plants, use peaty potting mix or add perlite to the potting soil. You can also add some liquid organic fertilizer to help the plant grow. If you can’t get coco peat, use sphagnum moss instead.
Step 4: Planting the Seeds
First, fill the pot with soil and make an indentation about one inch deep with your finger. Place the monstera seeds and cover them with another layer of the potting mix. Place the pot in a cool place with low indirect light for about two to four weeks.
Step 5: Ensure Perfect Conditions
The final stage is the most crucial to growing seeds. Monstera seeds are susceptible to environmental changes, resulting in unnecessary stress. Therefore, you must ensure that you keep the conditions optimal for the seed to grow into a mature plant.
Monstera Seed Care Guideline
Do not think that you’re done once you’ve potted the seeds. The real effort comes after that. How you care for the Monstera seedling makes all the difference in whether you grow a healthy Monstera plant.
Therefore, read the care guidelines below to ensure that you take the perfect care of your baby Monstera.
Soil and Pot Requirements
When germinating seeds, you must ensure that the soil mix you choose is well-aerated and has adequate drainage features. Compact soil can damage root growth as the roots do not have sufficient crawl space. Typically, a loamy soil or a fresh potting mix for aroid plants works best for Monstera.
At first, you do not need the pot. Generally, a 4-inch nursery pot would work. We advise using plastic pots since they are less costly, and you will have to report your growing Monstera every few weeks. Ensure that the pot you get has drainage holes to avoid over-watering and keep the soil moist.
Temperature and Humidity
Monstera are tropical plants found in tropical rainforests of Central and South America. In their native habitat, these plants are accustomed to high humidity levels and warm temperatures.
Typically, Monstera seedlings require a temperature between 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, and these plants do not tolerate frost. Hence, you must grow them in spring or summer when the temperature is ideal. However, that does not mean you can grow them next to a space heater in winter, as that would cost the seedling its humidity.
Monstera prefers a moist environment of above 50% humidity. While you can ensure optimal humidity levels using a humidifier, there are plenty of other ways. For one, you can cover the pot with plastic and spray it with pure water whenever you feel it is getting dry, which you can tell if you do not see condensation on the inside of the plastic.
However, high humidity also encourages the growth of fungal infections, so if you see mold in the soil or notice a sulfur smell, change the contaminated soil.
Once the seed sprouts, you can uncover them for a couple of hours a day and air them out.
Light
The light required to grow Monstera deliciosa is not the same as the amount needed to grow a seed. While Monstera typically requires bright indirect light when it has matured, the seedlings also require some low indirect sunlight. Place your seedling pot in an area that receives some light and keeps it away from direct sunlight.
You can also use grow lights with measured light intensity to grow your Monstera. While there is a debate on what color light works best, you can use a full spectrum light to do the job.
Transplanting
In the early stages, you will have to move your Monstera to bigger pots frequently. Don’t cheat the system by getting a big pot to start with because that can cause numerous problems.
Generally, you will need to report your Monstera once every couple of weeks. However, a good way of telling when to report the Monstera is when new leaves sprout out of the seedling. At that stage, move the seedling to a pot a few inches bigger than the current one.
Carefully remove the seed from the container it is in, ensuring that you don’t damage any sensitive roots, and carefully place it in the new container. Cover the root ball in the soil and water it.
Can You Grow Variegated Monstera from Seed?
Variegated Monstera is extremely popular among many plant enthusiasts due to its striking color differences and beautiful look. However, these plants are some of the most expensive Monstera you will find because they are scarce in number.
Variegated Monstera leaves are caused by a genetic mutation that causes some parts of the leaf to lack chlorophyll, a green pigment responsible for photosynthesis. Without chlorophyll, the plant supports a yellow or cream-white color, which contrasts with the natural green leaves of the Monstera.
Now, can you grow a variegated plant from seed? No. It’s not that growing variegated Monstera plants from seeds is impossible, but there is no assurance of the results. Many buy expensive variegated Monstera seeds only to be disappointed that the resulting plant is the same as any normal Monstera deliciosa.
This is because the mutation is random and occurs in a recessive allele. While it can be carried over o the next progeny, there is no telling if it will occur. The Monstera seed will have to get both recessive alleles from its parents. Hence, it’s better to propagate variegated Monstera if you want some, but choosing to do so with seeds is a wrong decision.
Tips For Growing Monstera Seeds
When it comes to growing Monstera seedlings, there are a few essential things to keep in mind that can help ensure your efforts are not wasted. Below are some tips to help you grow your Monstera seedlings.
Harvesting Monstera Seeds
A mature Monstera deliciosa starts to produce fruit after the age of two. If you live in USDA hardiness zones 10-12, you can harvest Monstera seeds from your backyard or go on a trek to search for them. Monstera seeds are harvested from ripe Monstera fruit.
The tropical fruits support a honeycomb texture and look somewhat like berries. The Monstera deliciosa fruit is edible and tastes somewhat between a banana and a pineapple. However, do not ingest a Monstera fruit that is not ripe, as a semi-ripe fruit is toxic to humans and pets, causing throat irritation and stomach problems.
Only harvest the fruit once it is ripe, and the green exterior will cease to exist. You will have to individually remove the berries to check them for seeds, as not every berry has a seed.
Buying Monstera Seeds
You can typically find Monstera seeds for sale online. However, several scammers are waiting to pounce on the opportunity, so you must be careful. Below are some warning signs to look out for when you buy Monstera seeds:
- The price is too low. While not as expensive as a mature Monstera, the species is still relatively expensive, even if it’s just the seeds. Hence, if you see 100 Monstera seeds for $5, you know it’s a scam waiting to happen.
- You find variegated Monstera seeds. It’s not like variegated seeds don’t exist since even variegated Monstera can scarcely produce seeds. However, the seeds won’t necessarily result in a variegated Monstera. Hence, do not purchase Monstera seeds online.
- Monstera seeds are dry and yellow. The seeds of a Monstera do not have a dormancy period of longer than two months, so if the seeds look yellow and dry, you might not see the seeds germinate.
Potting Seeds in a Mini GreenHouse
You can either pot the seed in the ground on in a mini greenhouse using peat pods in a plastic container. Peat pods are a ball of tightly wound peat moss that you can place your seed inside after watering them.
Peat moss has good water retention abilities and is perfect for growing seeds. Moreover, you can reuse the pods on other seeds. Several companies sell peat pods, or you can get them as part of the seed kit.
When to Plant Monstera Seeds
Firstly, plant the Monstera soon when they are harvested. The longer you wait, the lesser the chances of successful germination. Moreover, since Monstera requires warm temperatures, grow them in the summer or spring. If you don’t want to use grow lights, you can plant your Monstera in the spring when the sun isn’t as harsh.
Disease and Pest
Monstera is highly susceptible to pests and disease. The high humidity gives rise to fungal infections that can damage the Monstera deliciosa seedlings before they even see the sun. One of the most common fungal infections for Monstera is root rot, which causes the deterioration of Monstera roots.
Similarly, common household pests such as mealy bugs and spider mites often infest the Monstera. While it is rare for baby Monstera plants, it is not impossible. Hence, you need to be extra careful in such cases.
Fortunately, you can treat an infection or infestation easily. You will have to separate the affected seedling from the rest to control spread and remove the seedling from the soil. Treat the seedling with antifungal or pesticidal soap and change the contaminated soil. You can also use neem oil to prevent future infestations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.     How Hard is it to Grow Monstera From Seeds?
Growing Monstera from seeds is similar to growing them through propagation, albeit with a few extra steps. You need to take special care of the conditions in either case. Hence growing Monstera deliciosa plants seeds, t is not any more or less difficult than growing it from a stem cutting.
2.     How Long Does it Take for Monstera Seedling to grow?
Monstera seedlings grow at varying rates. Typically, a Monstera deliciosa seed sprouts after a few weeks of germination, and the deliciosa takes around a year or two to become mature plants. While the deliciosa plant is considered a fast-growing plant, some species in the Monstera genus grow slowly.
3.     How Do You Get Monstera Deliciosa Seeds to Sprout?
To help the plant sprout, you can soak it before you pot the seed. Soaking helps soften the hardened shell of the seed and aid sprouting. Moreover, adding organic fertilizer to the soil can stimulate sprouting and help you grow the monstera deliciosa plant quicker.
4.     Where Can I Buy Variegated Monstera Seeds?
Nowhere! You might see variegated Monstera seeds online, but do not buy them. There is no guarantee that a variegated Monstera seed will grow variegated plants. Hence, you can’t grow variegated Monstera from seeds.
READ NEXT:Â Monstera Varieties Chart
Bottom Line
Growing Monstera from seeds can be fruitful if you do it right. While germination isn’t overly complicated, you must pay special attention to certain areas.
However, you have your own healthy Monstera plant at the end that you can show off in your home. The Monstera is a beautiful plant to have in your plant collection.
My name is Daniel Elrod, and I have been houseplant love ever since I was 17. I love how much joy they bring to any room in the home. I’ve always been amazed at how a few pots of flowing leaves can turn a drab and sterile office into an inviting place where people love to work at.
