Growing Monstera Deliciosa From Seed

Monstera deliciosas are a highly popular houseplant, native to parts of Mexico and Panama.  It’s popular because of the highly attractive and decorative foliage that the plants develop (see image below).  They’ve even become a trending thing on Instagram with #MonsteraMonday akin to #MancrushMonday.  Now, of course, I wanted to join the fun, but I couldn’t do it any old way!  I decided to purchase some Monstera deliciosa seeds from Amazon!  (UPDATE: Since this post was written, I have started offering authentic Monstera deliciosa seeds for purchase from my website.)

I’ll be providing periodic updates as they grow from hatchlings to full grown beasts!  I hear they’re quite slow to grow, but I like a challenge.  When I’m given a plant that’s fully grown or at least developed, there’s always trial and error to learn what kind of environmental conditions it need.

When I grow a plant from seed, I really learn the growing conditions that a plant thrives in.  I encourage my followers to try growing your favorite plants from seed.

You’ll find an enormous pride once the plant grows into adulthood from a simple seed.  Of course, if you lose the plant along the way, you’ll be kicking yourself.  But that’s why I like to start off with a healthy number of seeds, because I know that I will probably lose a few plants along the way!

How to Germinate

Sterilize the soil

I typically try to sterilize my soil when I’m seed starting.  I get my soil damp and spread it out over a plate.  I then microwave it for about 5 minutes (yeah it will smell funky as can be).  I let it cool and then dispense in the containers.

Seed prep

For these seeds, I don’t pre-score, soak them, or provide any special treatment. I simply bury the seed slightly, by just barely covering the seed completely with the sterilized soil.

The waiting game

The first seeds to germinate took about 5 days.  Some have taken about 3 weeks.  I’d say, on average, healthy monstera seeds will germinate in about 10-14 days under good conditions.  That means high humidity, and high heat.  Simple enough.  While it may feel tempting to put your seeds or seedlings to catch some sun, especially if you’re trying to heat the soil and activate germination, it is never a good idea to introduce direct outdoor sun to your seedlings.  At this age, the plants are far too young to experience direct sun.  It will burn them to hell.  Typically, in nature, they’ll start off growing under the canopy of an adult plant, shielded from the sun’s harshest rays.  If you’re trying to get additional heat or growing seeds in the winter, consider a grow mat and artificial lighting.

Humidity

To get the humidity necessary to activate germination, I usually put cling film over the pots, which seals in the moisture needed to sprout.  I remove the cling film soon after germination (for cacti, that’s another story and blog post).  Just make sure they don’t dry out!  They don’t have the moisture reserves that a normal plant would have.  Basically treat them like helpless babies.  Because they’re not far from it.  Stay tuned as I continue to provide progress shots and commentary below.

Can’t wait for my first hole-y leaf…

Bae•tanical