You might run into someone selling Monstera seeds online. Now you’re wondering whether it is possible to grow Monstera from seeds?
In general, you can grow Monstera Deliciosa plants from seeds. Germination takes at least 10 days before sprouting becomes visible. Keeping the temperature between 70°F and 80°F and maintaining high humidity is crucial for successful germination.
In this article, you will discover how to harvest Monstera seeds, as well as how to grow and care for seedlings into mature plants.
Let’s get started!
Can Monstera be grown from seeds?
You can grow Monstera from seeds, but you must expose them to conditions similar to the ones they would encounter in their natural habitat.
You will need a few basic supplies to grow Monstera from seed, including a plastic pot, well-draining soil, and a conducive environment with just the right conditions especially when it comes to heat and humidity.
If you live in a home where these conditions might not be present, then all is not lost. It is possible to emulate the right temperature and humidity conditions for growing Monstera.
Where do Monstera seeds come from?
The Monstera plant in your home might never get to a point where it develops fruits that will give you some seeds. However, wild Monstera plants actually develop fruits that are shaped like corn cobs or pine cones.
This fruit has a similar taste to those of other tropical fruits such as pineapples and bananas.
These fruits contain Monstera seeds, which are found within the fruit pulp. A common mistake is to harvest the Monstera fruit before it is fully ripe.
Since the fruit has a honeycomb-like texture, you can easily break it apart and collect the seeds.
If you live in a USDA 10-12 zone, such as Florida and Hawaii, you can grow Monstera naturally and pick its fruits from your own yard.
Even if you don’t live in an area where Monsteras grow, you can still buy seeds online from legitimate sellers.
How to Harvest Monstera Seeds
So how do you know when the Monstera seeds are ready for harvesting?
You need to wait until the cone appears to be splitting at the bottom and you can see the inside of the fruit. Once the plant’s fruit is ripe for harvest, simply snap it off the stem.
A semi-ripe fruit is not edible. In fact, you should avoid eating any part of the fruit that has a green coloring on the covering.
You can suffer serious throat irritation and even, in some cases, breathing difficulties if you consume an unripe Monstera fruit. Place unripe fruits in a paper bag for several days until they’re ripe.
Although you do not intend to eat it, you should still wait for the fruits to ripen since it will make harvesting the seeds easier.
The seeds of Monstera are harvested by breaking apart the hexagonal berries inside the fruit. Generally, the seeds are either white in color or pale green.
However, there is no guarantee that every berry harvested will contain seeds.
Buying Monstera seeds Online
Growing Monstera from seed is not that complicated. Perhaps the only area you might encounter challenges is finding the right seeds.
Even though you can find quality Monstera seeds on the market, a lot of people do get scammed because not everyone is honest about what they sell.
For years, plant enthusiasts have paid top dollar for variegated Monstera seeds only to have their plants produce regular green Monstera leaves or worse, a completely different plant species.
A good rule of thumb is to use online reviews before choosing which seller to buy from. Buying online also gives you the option of choosing a different country to buy Monstera seeds from.
With a genuine seller, you won’t have to worry about customs authorities holding your products for a long time. Monstera seeds can be stored in their packets for up to three weeks, but their viability decreases significantly with time.
Warning Signs When Buying Online Seeds
Be wary of sellers selling variegated monstera seeds. Since seeds cannot transmit variegation, these seeds are obviously a scam. Variegation can only be transmitted through cuttings.
You also need to be careful when it comes to the price of Monstera seeds. You get what you pay for and sometimes, going for cheaper prices could see you lose your money.
A ten-seed pack of Monstera Deliciosa costs about USD$10.
Steps to Grow Monstera Deliciosa from Seed
The best time to germinate Monstera seeds is during the spring when the temperature is warm and the humidity is high.
However, an indoor grow station allows you to plant seeds year-round.
Before planting your Monstera seeds, soak them for at least 12 hours in lukewarm water to soften their hard shells. This process allows the seeds to germinate substantially faster.
You can still germinate the seeds without soaking them, but it will take a lot longer.
Finally, put the seed into well-draining soil and keep it moist.
Caring for Monstera Seed
In general, Monstera seeds will sprout in 10 to 14 days, but colder temperatures and lower humidity can slow the germination process down.
To ensure that amylase enzymes in the seeds are activated during germination, you need to keep the temperature between 70°F and 80°F (21°C and 27°C).
If nothing happens after three weeks of planting, chances are that either the seeds have been destroyed by rot or are not viable. The only way to confirm this is to dig up the seedlings. If you see any sprouting, rebury them and give them more time to grow.
After sprouting, one vital thing you need for their survival is a plastic bag. Plastic bags are meant to retain humidity that is essential for their growth.
You should also water the soil regularly, but don’t drown it in water. It is important that the soil drains well, otherwise the seed may rot. Always try to balance between keeping the soil somehow dry but at the same time ensuring that it is damp.
Another vital care of Monstera seedlings is to ensure that they receive bright, indirect sunlight. If direct sunlight has the potential to damage a fully mature Monstera plant, what do you think it can do to a seedling?
Growing your new Monstera will require that the plant’s needs are met. If that is fulfilled, then you can expect that the plant will reward you with thick, glossy leaves with fenestrations throughout their lifespan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you grow variegated monstera from seed?
There is always the question of whether you can grow a variegated Monstera from a seed. One thing about variegated Monstera is that they are quite popular but at the same time come with a high price tag.
This is the reason why many plant enthusiasts prefer trying to grow variegated Monstera from their seedlings as opposed to buying fully-grown plants that will come at a cost.
Unfortunately, even the seeds of variegated Monstera fruit cannot be grown into variegated Monstera plants. Seeds do not carry the recessive gene.
Nevertheless, you can propagate variegated Monstera cuttings to get variegated plants.
Final Thoughts
Growing Monsteras is just like growing any other plant in your home. If you can take care of other plants, so can you with Monsteras. What is important to understand is that different plants have different needs and Monsteras are no different.
Monsteras need a lot of patients especially if you are growing your Monstera from a seed. It is the best feeling to know that you grew a mature Monstera plant from a tiny seedling as opposed to buying a grown plant.
Do not expect that every seed planted will germinate. This is always far from the case. Be sure to plant a few seedlings so that at least a number of them germinate – if not all.
