All plant lovers know that soil is an important part of keeping your houseplants healthy. While some plants are happy to grow in almost any kind of soil, others have more particular needs. A factor that affects how well a plant grows in a particular soil is the pH level.
Monsteras (also known as swiss cheese plants due to their characteristic holes) are tropical plants, and they thrive in soil that mimics their natural environment. The idea of worrying over the proper pH level for your monsteras may sound daunting, but it’s actually pretty easy.
Keep reading to learn about the best pH level for monsteras and how to ensure that your soil provides what your monsteras need.
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What Is pH level?
Before we move on to talking specifically about monsteras and how gorgeous they can become when they are given the environment that they need, we need a little background on pH.
Let’s start with a quick guide to pH levels.
As you might remember from high school science classes, pH is a measure of how acidic or basic something is. The scale ranges from 0 to 14 with 7 being neutral. A pH of less than 7 is considered acidic. A pH of more than 7 is considered basic (sometimes called alkaline).
A few common examples of acidic substances are lemons and vinegar. On the basic side are substances like soap, bleach, and ammonia.
Most plants grow in soil that is close to neutral (7.0). The soil pH affects a plant’s ability to absorb nutrients. Highly acidic or basic soils can make it impossible for plants to absorb the mineral nutrients that they need.
If soil is too acidic or basic for houseplants, you might notice signs of nutrient deficiency and mistakenly think that the problem is related to fertilizer. Fertilizing will not help if pH levels are not in the correct range because plants will not be able to absorb the nutrients that the fertilizer provides. You might be giving your plants a buffet that they are not able to enjoy.
In the natural environment, areas with more rainfall tend to have a lower pH ranging from 5.0 to 7.0. Areas that are drier tend to have a higher pH ranging from 6.5 to 9.0. Given that monsteras make your house feel like the jungle, you won’t be surprised to learn that their natural environment falls into the first category.
What pH Level Is Best for Monstera Plants?
Monsteras grow best in a fast-draining soil with a pH level between 5.5 and 7.0. This is slightly on the acidic side. Monsteras can tolerate some variation in pH level. While not as ideal, monsteras can grow in soil that has a pH level between 5.0 and 7.5.
Because you have more control over potting soil than over soil outside, you should not have a difficult time providing the right pH balance for houseplants like monstera.
If you are lucky enough to live in an area warm enough to grow monsteras outside, then you may need to take extra steps to change the pH level in your soil if you have alkaline soil. The rest of us will just dream about living in a tropical paradise.
Are Monsteras an Acid-loving Plant?
An acid-loving plant is one that grows in soil with a pH level of around 5.5. Popular acid-loving plants are favorites like azaleas, blueberries, and strawberries. While monsteras can grow in soil that is acidic, they do not fit the definition of a true acid-loving plant because they are just as happy in soil that is closer to neutral.
Even though monsteras aren’t acid-loving plants, they do grow well in soil that is slightly acidic. However, given that most houseplants do well in soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0, monsteras don’t deviate that much from the norm.
This applies to all monsteras, including popular favorites like monstera deliciosa, monstera borsigiana, and monstera adansonii.
When selecting soil for your monstera, look for soil that contains peat moss, coco coir, or pine bark. All these materials are acidic and create an ideal growing environment for monsteras.
How Can I Check the pH Level of My Soil?
Soil that is too acidic or alkaline can prevent plants from absorbing all the nutrients that they need. If your houseplants are suffering but you’ve ruled out sunlight, water, fertilizer, and temperature as the cause, then pH might be the problem. Monstera leaves turn yellow when they lack access to necessary nutrients.
If you suspect that the pH level of your soil might be affecting your monsteras, you can check your soil. First look at the packaging on your potting soil. Some brands of soil put the pH level on the bag, which makes it easy for you to figure out.
What should you do if the pH level is not listed on your potting soil, you don’t remember what potting soil you used, or you used a mixture to create your growing medium? You can still figure out the pH level. There are three easy methods that you can choose from.
pH meter: A pH meter is a device that you stick directly into the potting soil. The needle on the device will show you the pH level instantly. While this method gives you a quick reading, it does require you to purchase and store a pH meter. Our 3-in-1 moisture meter works well to provide an accurate pH reading.
At-home pH test kit: An at-home pH test kit allows you to take a sample of soil, place it in a tube, insert a capsule, and observe the changes in color that indicate a specific pH. Depending on the test you select, you may get a range rather than an exact pH.
Baking soda: If you already have baking soda on hand, you can use it to get a general idea of whether or not your soil is acidic. Mix a sample of soil into ½ a cup of water. Then add ½ cup of baking soda. If the mixture fizzles, you have acidic soil. The more violently the mixture bubbles, the more acidic the soil is. While this is not as exact a method, it can point you in the right direction.
If you are in doubt over whether or not you have the correct pH level in your potting soil, you can always repot your monstera in new potting soil that you know is within the right range. Just try not to do this too often as repotting can stress out monsteras. The general rule is that you can repot them every two to three years.
Can the pH Level of My Potting Soil Change?
You might be surprised to learn that the pH level of your potting soil can alter over time. Municipal tap water sometimes contains salt that can increase the pH level of your soil. Although the process happens slowly, it is possible that your monstera’s soil could become less acidic over time.
In most cases, though, this process happens too slowly to be a concern. It is good to be aware that tap water can affect soil pH, but since most people repot monsteras every two to three years, it is unlikely that tap water would cause an issue within that time period.
Because tap water can vary in different areas, other houseplant enthusiasts near you can probably tell you if there are any special concerns with your tap water. You could also use an at-home test for your water if you suspect that the water is having an effect on your pH.
Some houseplant lovers collect rainwater to use on their indoor plants. However, this is done more for the nutrients and minerals rather than out of concern for pH levels.
You can intentionally alter the pH levels of your potting soil by adding materials that are acidic or basic. Adding sulfur and aluminum sulfate can make your soil more acidic. Adding lime (garden lime, not the fruit) can make your soil more alkaline or basic. I’d advise against using these materials for houseplants, though, as it is easy to add too much and end up harming your plants instead. Should you decide to add materials rather than repotting your plants to adjust the soil pH level, read the directions carefully and add small amounts at a time to ensure that you do not cause any permanent damage.
Keeping Your Monstera Plant Happy
Part of the reason that monsteras are so popular is that, in addition to looking gorgeous, they are relatively easy to care for. To help your monsteras thrive, select a slightly acidic growing medium, monitor monsteras for signs of yellowing, and adjust the soil pH levels if necessary.
Monsteras require large amounts of nutrients to produce their showstopping leaves, so it is important that they are grown in soil that allows them to access all those nutrients.
Talking about pH levels may bring back memories of science lectures, but it is not difficult to keep soil between 5.5 and 7.0 to create an ideal environment that will allow your monstera to live its best plant life.
