How often to fertilize monstera | Spring, Summer, Winter + Fall Guide

Monstera can be fertilized once in the beginning of spring and fall with slow release fertilizer. Alternatively add liquid indoor plant fertilizer to monstera once each month in spring and fall and once at the beginning of summer. For indoor monstera use indoor plant food because it will smell less than outdoor fertilizer.

This article will explore how often to fertilize monstera in spring, summer, fall and winter and the best fertilizer to use.

How often to fertilize monstera – Quick guide

Here is my quick guide to often to fertilize monstera with liquid and slow release fertilizer.

	Slow release fertilizer	Liquid fertilizer
Spring	Once at the beginning of spring	Once each month
Summer	Nil	Once in the first month
Winter	None	None
Fall	Once at the beginning	Once each month

How often to fertilize monstera in spring

Fertilize monstera once at the beginning of spring with slow release fertilizer or once per month for liquid fertilizer. Choose indoor plant food if you are using slow release fertilizer because it will smell less than an outdoor fertilizer. Use an indoor liquid fertilizer every month if you don’t want to use a slow release fertilizer.

For outdoor monstera you can use slow release pelleted chicken manure. This organic based fertilizer will have a smell which will disappear within a day. This is fine if it is outdoors. You could alternatively use a natural liquid fertilizer like fish emulsion. This will need to be added each month in spring to feed the plant for rapid growth.

How often to fertilize monstera in summer

Do not add slow release fertilizer to monstera in summer as it should have enough nutrients in the soil and from spring to last over the summer months. I would suggest adding one dose of liquid fertilizer at the start of summer to help it to grow but I like to leave monstera without fertilizer over summer.

While monstera will still grow quickly over summer they should have enough nutrients in the soil to draw from over the summer if it is good quality.

How often to fertilize monstera in fall

Fertilize monstera once at the beginning of fall with slow release fertilizer or once per month with liquid fertilizer.  After leaving monstera over summer without extra fertilizer it will be ready for a feed of slow release fertilizer in fall when the weather is mild.

It is best to avoid fertilizing monstera in the hottest or coldest months of the year and focus the fertilizer in spring and fall.

How often to fertilize monstera in winter

Monstera will not need any liquid or slow release fertilizer in winter. Monstera will slow its growth over winter so will not need the extra boost of nutrients. There should still be enough of the broad range of nutrients it needs in the soil over this time and it will be ready for food in spring.

Best fertilizer for indoor and outdoor monstera

The best fertilizer for indoor monstera is an organic liquid or slow release fertilizer. If you want to fertilize less often then slow release fertilizer is the best choice. It will last for 3 months and can be added once at the start of spring and once at the start of fall.

Here is a good slow release plant food for indoor food on Amazon.

If you want to add liquid fertilizer then choose an organic option and add it to your watering can. You can do this on the first of each month over spring and fall and once at the beginning of summer.

Here is a good organic liquid indoor plant fertilizer available on Amazon.

How often to use liquid fertilizer for monstera

Use liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks over spring and fall. Add liquid fertilizer to indoor or outdoor monstera plants on the first of each month to make it easy to remember. You can add a dash of liquid seaweed to help to strengthen the roots and improve the soil.

How often to use slow release fertilizer for monstera

Slow release fertilizer can be added once at the beginning of spring and once again at the start of fall. This should last for around 3 months and will slowly release nutrients to the plant every time you water it. This is the easiest way to fertilize monstera and only needs to be done twice per year.

Using organic fertilizers for monstera

Organic fertilizers are a great choice for indoor or outdoor monsteras. These will be created from organic materials like animal manures and are dehydrated and compressed into a pelleted form. Outdoor organic fertilizers can smell but will improve the soil naturally as it feeds soil bacteria and worms.

Indoor organic fertilizers will be made to smell less so can be used indoors without an issue. Whether you choose slow release or liquid fertilizer your monstera will love the natural nutrients profile.

How to know when Monstera needs fertilizer

Here are the top 3 times to feed your monstera and how to know it needs fertilizer.

1. Yellowing leaves

Yellowing leaves on monstera are a sign that the plant may need a nitrogen boost. Give it a dose of liquid fertilizer to give it a nitrogen boost and then add some slow release fertilizer a week later to give it longer lasting nutrients.

2. 3 months after repotting

After you have planted your monstera in a new pot into premium potting soil it will be ready for more fertilizer in around 3 months. Most good quality potting soils will contain slow release fertilizer which will run out after around 3 months. Add some slow release fertilizer after that and you monstera will be happy.

3. Beginning of spring

Add fertilizer to monstera at the beginning of spring. After winter it will be ready to grow rapidly and will need some extra nutrients to support its growth. Add some slow release or liquid fertilizer at the start of spring and your monstera will be happy.

How often to fertilize monstera | Summary

Fertilize monstera every month with liquid fertilizer in spring and fall. Use slow release fertilizer if you want to fertilize less often. Add this at the start of spring and fall and this will be enough to support good monstera growth.

Happy growing.