Top 5 Best Fertilizers For Monstera (2023 Review)

To save you the hassle of trial and error, I’ve gone ahead and provided my personal favorite fertilizer for your soon-to-be luscious plant, in addition to 4 other great options. 

Check out where my baby monstera was when I first got a cutting from a friend, and then after just a few months of applying my top pick fertilizer, Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Fertilizer:

All of these fertilizers are great options for your monstera, but the information can still be overwhelming. That’s why I’ve included my favorite budget-friendly pick, as well as my recommendation for a monstera that’s knocking on death’s door.

I’ve also included some basic monstera growing tips to help keep your Swiss cheese plant happy and healthy. So, let’s get into my favorite monstera deliciosa fertilizers!

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• Why you should fertilize your monstera
• How to choose the right fertilizer for your monstera
• Timing and frequency of applying Fertilizer for your monstera
• And much more!

Below is a quick list of my favorite fertilizer for monstera. Keep scrolling to read the deep-dives of my top tips to choose and use the fertilizer for monstera delicious!

My Overall Top #1 Pick: Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Fertilizer

While all of the above products are great choices, my top #1 pick has to go to Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Fertilizer! This gentle product is great for monsteras of all ages, from seedlings to mature plants, and it promotes green leafy growth with an NPK ratio of 3-1-2 (not sure what that means? Scroll down for more info on fertilizer composition!)

Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Food is water-soluble, which makes it super easy to use. Just add 1-2tsp per 8 cups of water every other watering cycle. Of course, you can always cut that number, too (ex: 0.25tsp in 2 cups of water). 

The 3-1-2 NPK ratio means that you’ll notice shinier monstera leaves in no time! It’s designed to reduce brown spots and yellowing leaves, giving you that beautiful, robust foliage that signals a healthy plant. 

Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Food is also designed specifically for your monstera. 

Since it’s already probably growing outside of its natural conditions (its typical habitat is warm and humid, like Florida), it’s super beneficial to have a fertilizer designed to supplement those lost nutrients. This plant food is exactly what your monstera needs to feel at home.

Lastly, I love this formula because of how gentle it is. I’ve noticed it working well on both my large monstera (nicknamed Big Mac) and my seedling (aka Happy Meal). Both love this product, and no matter the size of your monstera deliciosa, I’m sure it’ll love Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Food, too!

Top 5 Best Fertilizers For Monstera Deliciosa

In a hurry? No worries! Below are my top 5 fertilizers for your monstera deliciosa!

1. Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Fertilizer (My Top Pick)
2. Houseplant Resource Center Monstera Care Bundle (Best Pick for Monsteras That Need Immediate Help)
3. TPS Monstera Plant Food (Best Budget Pick)
4. Bless Your Soil Big Green Leaves Indoor Plant Food (Most Versatile Pick)
5. Perky Plant All-Purpose Plant Food  (Best Organic Pick)

Why Should You Invest In A High-Quality Fertilizer For Your Monstera?

You might be wondering why you even need a high-quality fertilizer for your monstera. It’s a houseplant, after all, and doesn’t even bear fruit. So why bother fertilizing? Well, there are a few good reasons!

A Typical Monstera Habitat

Monstera deliciosa hail from Central America, where the sun is warm and the air is humid. Growing them indoors is already a change from their natural habitat, but growing them indoors in a dry climate is even more atypical for them. They require a lot of sun, and there are a couple of signs that they need extra vitamin D:

If you can’t get your monstera any more sun than it’s already getting, fertilizing it can help give it an extra boost of nutrition so it can take full advantage of the sunlight it does get.

Like ferns, monstera deliciosa also like lots of water, since they’re from a tropical climate. If you’re one of those gardeners who forgets to water sometimes (like myself), then fertilizing can help your monstera utilize all the moisture you do remember to give it. 

Imagine going to the desert if you’re used to living in the rainforest. It’s already a crazy change, but it’d be even crazier if you were malnourished and dehydrated. Fueling your monstera with fertilizer is just like fueling your body with good food and water–worth doing!

Nutrient Depletion in Pots

Since most monsteras are grown in pots, it’s easy for them to become nutrient deficient. They sap up all the nutrients they need in the limited amount of soil they’re in, and then they’re all out of what they need. Fertilizing your monstera adds those depleted nutrients back in without having to repot your whole plant.

Nutrient depletion can look like wilted, yellowed leaves. Sometimes they can wrinkle, or even shrivel up and fall off. For a plant as beautifully lush as a monstera, this can seem disastrous!

Investing in a high-quality fertilizer can help you and your monstera avoid nutrient depletion, keeping them happy and gorgeous in their pots. 

What to Consider When Choosing The Right Fertilizer For Monstera

Fertilizer Composition

Fertilizers are composed of 3 main ingredients that are vital for plant growth–nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. There are the macronutrients (the plant equivalent to carbs, protein, and fats). On any fertilizer package, you’ll see numbers representing these elements (this is called the NPK ratio).

An NPK ratio will be 3 numbers. For example, 7-9-5 would mean that the fertilizer would be 7% nitrogen, 9% phosphorus, and 5% potassium. Well, what about the other 79%?

That would be composed of small amounts of micronutrients such as magnesium, iron, calcium, sulfur, etc. These are the equivalent of vitamins in human food (like vitamin C). 

Nitrogen is essential for the growth of leaves and stems, which is essential for all plants (especially something big and leafy like monstera). This is what you really want to look for when choosing a monstera fertilizer.

Phosphorus promotes root growth and flowering, and even though household monsteras don’t flower, they are known for having exceptionally large root systems, making this a vital nutrient. 

A phosphorus-heavy fertilizer would be good for something like plumeria, a tropical flower grown for its beautiful blooms, but it’s not the most important nutrient for monstera.

Lastly, potassium helps with overall plant health and disease resistance (always important!).

While all plants need these nutrients, different plants will require different ratios to thrive. A Monstera Deliciosa typically requires a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 1:1:1 or 2:1:1. This means that the fertilizer should contain equal or higher amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). 

Liquid v. Granular

The debate between liquid versus granular fertilizer is age-old, so here are the basics:

Liquid fertilizer is easier to apply, and usually not as potent as granular fertilizer. You can simply dilute it in water to knock down the potency a little bit. It’s easy to flush out of the soil if your monstera doesn’t like it. It also works faster, which is good for plants that are knocking on death’s door.

However, liquid fertilizer can be more expensive, and it requires the additional work of diluting it.

Granular fertilizer is slower-releasing, which is good for larger plants and also lazy gardeners such as myself. It’s also typically cheaper, in my experience, and there are more varieties. Plus, granular fertilizer has a longer shelf life. 

However, it can burn your monstera, and it’s hard to remove from the soil once you apply it.

There’s a whole guide on making liquid fertilizer from granular, so if you want a granular product in liquid form, don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. 

Organic v. Inorganic

Fertilizers can either be organic (all-natural) or inorganic (synthetic). Both have some pros and cons, but I use both on my plants depending on the need of the individual. 

Organic fertilizers don’t disrupt the natural ecosystem of the soil and don’t leave behind any unnatural residue once the plant absorbs what it needs. They’re also less likely to burn your plant since they’re all-natural. However, they can be more expensive (unless you make your own from kitchen scraps!).

Inorganic fertilizers are typically cheaper and easier to find at your local gardening center. They’re also more affordable and work faster than organic products. However, it can be easier to burn your plant with an inorganic fertilizer, so use it sparingly at first.

Regardless of what type of fertilizer you use, if you use it properly, then your monstera deliciosa will be happy! Over-fertilizing can burn your plant no matter what, so be sure to apply properly and follow the directions on the package. Less is more, especially with your first application.

My Reviews of the Best Fertilizers for Monstera

1. Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Fertilizer (My Top Pick)

PROS (+)	CONS (-)
+ Higher nitrogen content to promote leafy growth + Suitable for both mature plants and seedlings + Water-soluble for easy application	– Needs to be diluted to use

2. Houseplant Resource Center Monstera Care Bundle (Best Pick For Monsteras That Need Immediate Help)

PROS (+)	CONS (-)
+ 5-2-3 ratio is strong enough to rescue a dying plant + Multiple products to fully revive your monstera + Water-based products work faster	– Expensive – Using all 3 products at once could overwhelm a seedling

3.  TPS Monstera Plant Food (Best Budget Pick)

PROS (+)	CONS (-)
+ Gentle NPK ratio is good for plants of all sizes + Can be used as a leafy spray of regular fertilizer + Comes in 2 sizes–you can try it out, then buy the bigger version if your plant loves it	– Could burn delicate leaves if overused as a spray

4. Bless Your Soil Big Green Leaves Indoor Plant Food (Best Versatile Pick)

PROS (+)	CONS (-)
+ 12-4-8 NPK ratio boosts leaf growth quickly + Easy to apply + Filled with micronutrients	– Should be used frequently (every 7-14 days) – Could be too strong for seedlings

5. Perky Plant All-Purpose Plant Food (Best Budget)

PROS (+)	CONS (-)
+ Organic formula is gentle enough for seedlings + Easy to apply with shaker cap + 8-2-4 NPK ratio promotes leafy growth	– Can leave residue on the inside of watering cans – Not monstera-specific

My Top Pick: Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Fertilizer

When all is said and done, Leaves and Soul Monstera Plant Fertilizer is my top choice for fertilizing my monstera deliciosa. 

The 3-1-2 NPK ratio is gentle enough for a monstera at any stage of life, while still being strong enough to promote beautiful, robust foliage. 

The water-soluble solution is designed to work fast and last a long time, making this product worth every penny. It’s also easy to use, and only required a maximum of every other watering. 

And just in case you don’t love this product, Leaves and Soul offers a 100% money-back guarantee. They want your plant to thrive as much as you do!

I can’t recommend this product enough for anyone who wants to see their monsteras thrive. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Fertilizer for Monstera

Monstera deliciosa is a phenomenal plant to add to your indoor garden. Their luscious green leaves brighten up just about any space, and their sprawling growth pattern can add a touch of magic to your home. 

Without proper nutrition, though, they won’t be able to thrive, which is why it’s important to provide them with a high-quality fertilizer! Any of the aforementioned options are a great fit for just about any monstera.