Do you love the Monstera deliciosa plant? If so, you’re in luck – because it’s easy to grow from seed!
In this article, we’ll discuss how to germinate Monstera seeds, as well as some tips for growing them successfully so you can start expanding your plant collection.
We’ll also share some fun facts about this amazing plant, just in case you weren’t already obsessed enough with it!
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Can you grow Monstera from seed?
Yes, you can grow Monstera from seed, and it’s actually not that difficult! This is a great plant for beginner gardeners to learn how to grow and only requires a few supplies. All you need is some Monstera seeds, a pot or planter, some soil, and water.
When you’re considering germinating and growing Monstera deliciosa seeds, you’ll want to make sure that you have the right conditions in your home. The Monstera deliciosa plant requires bright indirect light for best growth, so make sure to place your plant in a spot where it will get plenty of light.
You’ll also want to make sure that the temperature and humidity level in your home are appropriate for the plant. Monstera deliciosa prefers warm temperatures (between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit) and high humidity (around 60-80%). If you live in a dry climate, you may need to provide extra humidity for your plant by using a humidifier or placing it on a pebble tray.
Finally, if you’ll eventually be growing your Monstera plant outside, make sure to acclimate it slowly by gradually moving the plant towards the outdoor area where it will live. You’ll still germinate the seeds indoors, but this will help it to adjust to its new environment over time.
Related: How Long Do Monsteras Take To Grow (and How to Speed It Up)?
How do you get Monstera seeds?
If you want to grow Monstera from seed, the first step is obviously to get your hands on some seeds! To do this, you can either purchase them online from a reputable seller, harvest them from a plant yourself or get them from a seed bank.
If you happen to have a Monstera fruit, you can also extract seeds from the berries. You can do this by taking each hexagon-shaped berry and gently squishing it. Some berries (but not every berry) will have a seed inside of them that you can harvest.
You can then clean the seed by removing any pulp or debris and allow it to dry. Once it’s dry, you’re ready to plant!
You can also store your Monstera deliciosa seeds by placing them in a dry, dark place like an envelope or jar. Store them in a cool place like the refrigerator for best results.
There are many communities that have started seed banks in order to help preserve plant species. If you are interested in obtaining seeds from a seed bank, you can contact your local community garden or search online for a seed bank near you.
What do Monstera deliciosa seeds look like?
A Monstera seed is small, hard, and white or pale green colored. These seeds are about the size of a pea or small marble. These seeds are often found inside the hexagon-shaped berries that grow on the plant.
If you are purchasing your seeds online, they will likely come in a packet. If you are harvesting them yourself, you may need to clean them before planting.
How to grow Monstera deliciosa seeds
To grow Monstera seeds, you’ll need to purchase high-quality seeds, find a well-draining pot, and a bag of all-purpose planting mix. You can expect the seeds to germinate between 2 weeks and a month after planting them, depending on how ideal the conditions are.
You’ll need a planting mix and a pot that is at least 18 inches wide and has drainage holes. You can find a planting mix at your local garden center or nursery, or you can make your own by mixing equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.
Fill the pot with the planting mix, then dampen it with water. Next, take your Monstera seeds and plant them about an inch apart. Gently press them into the soil, but don’t bury them too deeply.
Once you’ve planted all of your seeds, water them well and place the pot in a warm, sunny spot. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and in a few weeks, you should see your seeds germinating – and you’ll know you’ve reached step 1 of your Monstera’s growth stages!
You’ll also need to provide your seedlings with bright, indirect light. An east- or west-facing window is ideal.
Find out more: 9 Easy Ways to Encourage Monstera to Grow New Leaves Faster
How to safely buy Monstera deliciosa seeds
Unfortunately, there are many scams online, so it’s important that you only purchase your seeds from a reputable seller. One way to do this is to read reviews from other customers before making a purchase and only trust legitimate sites that, preferably, are renowned for selling planets.
Another way to safeguard against scams is to only buy from sellers who offer a money-back guarantee. This way, if you’re not happy with the quality of the seeds, you can get your money back.
You can also research well-known companies to see how they’ve done on the Better Business Bureau or other similar websites. When buying Monstera seeds online, it’s important to do your research to make sure you’re getting a good product from a reputable company.
If you’re getting your seeds from a local community member at a bartering event or farmers’ market, make sure to ask plenty of questions about their growing conditions and how they stored the seeds.
It’s also a good idea to get seeds from multiple sources so that you have a better chance of success. This way, if one source doesn’t pan out, you still have other options.
How to spot a scam when buying Monstera deliciosa seeds
There are plenty of scammers who will promise unusual colors or patterns on your Monstera deliciosa plant. Since the plant is in its seed form, you won’t be able to tell if the claims are true. You’ll have to spot a false seed by researching the seller, the seed’s freshness, and assessing the cost.
People may sell seeds that aren’t fresh and won’t be able to produce a plant at all. These will usually come at a “bargain” but are essentially worthless.
When looking for Monstera seeds for sale, also be wary of sellers who claim that their seeds will grow variegated plants. These claims are false, and you will only end up with green Monstera plants if you purchase these seeds.
When looking for Monstera seeds online, look out for any seller that:
- Does not offer a money-back guarantee
- Has mostly negative reviews
- Is not well known
- Offers a very low price (don’t trust a price that’s too good to be true)
- Offers an unrealistically high price
If you come across a seller that meets any of these criteria, it’s best to find another source for your seeds. There are plenty of reputable sellers out there, so don’t let the scammers deter you from growing your own Monstera deliciosa plant. With a little research, you’ll be able to find high-quality seeds that will grow into healthy plants.
Can you grow variegated Monstera from seed?
Unfortunately, it is essentially not possible to guarantee a variegated Monstera from seed. In fact, the chances are astronomically rare meaning while it’s theoretically possible, it very likely won’t happen. The variegation is usually caused by a mutation, and this mutation is not passed down to the plant’s offspring.
There is a very small chance that a Monstera seed has a recessive gene that causes variegation, but no seller can guarantee that the gene will manifest.
So, if you want a variegated Monstera, you’ll need to purchase one that has already been grown. You can find these plants for sale online or at a nursery.
What are the chances of getting a variegated Monstera from seed?
There’s an incredibly slim chance that you’ll get a variegated Monstera from seed. The variegation is usually caused by a mutation, and this mutation is not passed down to the plant’s offspring.
There is a very small chance that a Monstera seed has a recessive gene that causes variegation, but the chances of this are less than 1%. In fact, the chances of a seed becoming a variegated Monstera deliciosa plant is less than 1 out of 100,000.
Do I need seeds to grow a Monstera deliciosa plant?
No, you don’t need seeds to grow a Monstera deliciosa plant. You can propagate the plant in other ways, such as through stem cuttings or by division. Stem cuttings are a more reliable method of propagation since you can control the environment and the plant’s care.
If you’re interested in growing Monstera from a cutting, follow these simple steps:
- First, choose a healthy stem that has at least two leaves. Cut the stem about four inches below the lowest leaf.
- Next, remove the bottom leaves of the cutting so that you’re left with two or three leaves.
- Now, it’s time to prepare your potting mix. You’ll need a well-draining potting mix that contains peat moss or coco coir. Fill your pot with the prepared potting mix and water it until it’s evenly moist.
- Make a small hole in the center of the soil and insert the cutting. Gently firm the soil around the base of the cutting.
- Place the pot in an area where it will receive indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
In four to six weeks, you should see new growth on the planted cutting. Once the plant has established itself, you can transfer it to a larger pot.