How to Clean Monstera Deliciosa’s Leaves? Tips And Precautions

You may consider indoor plants to enhance the greenery of your decor. But, some plants are most loved for their inherently stylish look. Monstera Deliciosa is a kind of tropical vine widely popular for its bold and beautiful leaves. It’s one of those pretty plants that can instantly make a place livelier. Also, whenever you stare at its natural holey leaves, you will feel like you are in an exotic place.

Leaves are one of the most attractive parts of Monstera Delicious plants and they require special treatment to stay healthy. Just like any other object or surface of your home, the shiny green leaves of Monstera Deliciosa can get dull and dusty over time.

Therefore, you have to clean the leaves of your beloved plant periodically to keep it looking great and healthy. In this article, we will discuss the importance of cleaning the leaves of Monstera Deliciosa and share tips to make the task easier for you.

Related: Why Is My Monstera Plant Dripping Water?

Why You Should Clean The Leaves Of Your Monstera Deliciosa Plant Periodically?

Although the frequency of cleaning the leaves of your Monstera depends on various factors like season, cleanliness of the room, pollution, etc. periodical cleaning will keep your plant happy, healthy and shiny all the time. The broad and large leaves of Monstera Deliciosa are very prone to storing dust, which can subsequently invite various issues.

Dull and dirty leaves can restrict your Monstera Deliciosa plant from performing physiological processes like Photosynthesis, in which the plant uses its leaves to exchange sunlight and CO2 to produce oxygen. Plants generate much-needed energy from this physiological process. If you do not clean the leaves for a long period, a layer of dust form on the leaves and make photosynthesis difficult for the plant.

Although the dust build-up on the leaves will not kill the Monstera Deliciosa plant anytime soon, its growth will get slowed down, which will affect its overall health. Here are two major reasons why you should clean the leaves of your Monstera plant periodically.

1. Health:

Like most plants, Monstera performs the process of photosynthesis on its leaves. Fresh and clean leaves allow the plants to breathe spontaneously. The layer of dust can choke the leaves and make photosynthesis difficult. Regular cleaning can also check pest infestation. Remember, neglected plants, dirty and dead leaves can be a haven for unwanted pests. When cleaning the leaves, you can find and eliminate pests before they spread.

2. Appearance:

Look is another major reason why you should think about cleaning the leaves of your Monstera plant. We keep eye-catchy indoor plants like Monstera for decorative purposes and regular cleaning will not only make the plant happy and healthy but will also help it to grow quickly with lusher leaves.

Plants like Monstera deliciosa do not only add natural beauty to our home decor but also improve our mood. If your plant is in the best condition, it can clear the air by removing toxins.

Factors To Look Out For Before You Clean Monstera Leaves 

Before you take any step to clean the leaves of Monstera, you should take care of a few things. This will help you get your job done perfectly. Morning is the best time to initiate the task so that your plant gets enough time to get dry. The size of the plant is going to be a factor for many. If the plant is heavy, consider cleaning it on the spot. Portable plants can make the job easier for you. You can take them to the shower and wash the leaves precisely.

If the dust is mild, freshwater will be enough for complete cleaning. But, if the leaves have collected grime like oily kitchen dirt, you can add a few drops of the dishwasher to the water. Topical plants like Monstera Deliciosa cannot tolerate extreme hot or cold temperatures. Hence, make sure that you are using room temperature water. Extreme cold or hot water can shock the plant and damage it subsequently.

Cleaning frequency remains a major factor. Once in a week will be a good practice but if the plant is placed inside or near the kitchen, you may have to do it twice a week. Hence, cleaning frequency depends on the place and its condition.

When getting prepared to clean the leaves of your Monstera Deliciosa plant, it is better to come with some necessary items such as a cloth or any piece of fabric, a jug or watering can, tough cloth, dusters, scissors or shears, etc. These items will help you to clean your Monstera Deliciosa plant precisely.

Related: Monstera Aerial Roots: What Are They And What To Do With Them?

How To Cleans The Leaves Of Monstera Deliciosa Plant? Tips Included

You can clean your Monstera plant’s leaves in several ways. Here, we will discuss some effective methods to keep your favorite plant healthy shiny.

1. Shower The Plant:

This is the fastest way to clean the leaves of the Monstera plant. For many, cleaning leaves with cloth is a time-consuming and daunting task, so taking the plant to the shower can be a good option. If the plant is portable, you can place it under the shower.

Be gentle with the water pressure when using a sprayer to clean the plant. Here, an indirect shower can work better than a direct shower. For a delicate shower experience, point the sprayer towards the wall and let the plant bathe indirectly. Before you apply the method, make sure the container comes with drainage holes.

The method is not recommended for the plants housed in containers without the proper draining facility. If the water cannot drain out from the pot properly, root rot can take place. Since the method of showering will add a lot of extra water to the pot, you need to be a little bit careful about your watering schedule.

2. Wipe The Leaves:

Find it difficult to give your Monstera plant a shower? Choose this method and get your job done conveniently. Wiping the leaves down is a common method and best for people who have large size Monstera plants. Bring a soft or microfiber cloth and use it to clean the leaves. Make sure the piece of cloth is dampened and support one side of the leaf when rubbing another side to clean it.

It is better to focus on the center part and gradually move towards the edges. Be careful when cleaning the undersides of the leaves, as this can be the home of many pests. To clear residue and strong kitchen dirt, wipe down the leaves multiple times. Take your time and be gentle when cleaning each leaf of your Monstera plant as you may damage the leaves in a hurry.

3. Trim the Dying Leaf: 

Yellowing or brown leaves are not going to help your plant grow. The fact is that dying leaves affect the growth of new and healthy leaves by taking out nutrients away. Trimming the dying leaves will help the new and fresh leaves to grow quickly.

It is quite common for a leaf to grow older and die. But, if you find a large number of yellow leaves at a time, it could be a sign of an underlying condition. In this case, trimming the dying leaves will not solve the problem. If the leaves of your Monstera plant are dying due to rotting roots, you can hold watering, soil, heat, and light responsible for this.

4. Brush the Foliage:

To do this, you can use a feather duster, rag, or even a makeup brush. This cleaning method is quite effective for plants with large leaves. Never forget to support each leaf with one hand when brushing it over. If you are struggling to clear the dust and grime from the leaves of your Monstera Deliciosa plant, use a mixture of water and dishwasher, water and lemon juice, or water and vinegar for better results. Apply the method if the grime or residue is extremely stubborn.

Related: Why Are My Monstera Deliciosa Leaves Curling?

What to Avoid When Cleaning Monstera Plant’s Leaves?

The leaves of your Monstera Deliciosa plant are very soft and delicate. The harshness of chemicals used in the cleaning process can harm the plant. Avoid using chemical products, mayonnaise, and wax during the process.

These products can cover up the tiny pores across the leaves and disturb photosynthesis and transpiration. Therefore, avoid the methods and products that can cause damage in the long run and opt for natural and harm-free standard solutions to clean the leaves of your Monstera Deliciosa plant.

Periodical cleaning of the leaves of the Monstera Deliciosa plant is very important. The practice does not only the leaves of your plant shiny but also help the plant be happy and healthy. The leaves are a very important part of a plant, as they perform physiological processes like photosynthesis and transpiration. So, be gentle with your plant baby and avoid doing things in a hurry. You can follow the methods mentioned in the article keeping the precautions in mind. We hope our tips will help you take care of your Monstera. Please share your experience with us. We are excited to hear from the readers for new opinions and ideas.

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