TL;DR
Growing a Monstera deliciosa from seed is a slow but incredibly rewarding process. I used fresh seeds, sphagnum moss for germination, and later transplanted the seedlings into an aroid soil mix. Keep humidity high, temperature warm (21–29 °C), and be patient—germination can take up to 3 weeks. The first true leaves appeared after 4 weeks, and by day 75, the plants had two leaves and aerial roots. 🌿
Why I Decided to Grow Monstera From Seed
Monsteras are my absolute favorite houseplants—but until recently, I had never tried growing one from seed. Propagation by cuttings is fast and convenient, but I wanted to experience the full life cycle and document it for myself and others who are curious about this slower, more immersive process.
Getting Started: Finding Fresh Seeds
The first hurdle was sourcing viable seeds. Freshness is key—old Monstera seeds lose viability quickly. I was lucky to get my hands on recently harvested ones that were still greenish and plump. I got my seeds from here: https://plnts.com/de/product/monstera-deliciosa-seeds
I bought 5 seeds, which looked like this:
You can already see where the roots would start to grow from.
Germination: Why I Chose Sphagnum Moss
Rather than planting directly into soil, I used moist sphagnum moss. It’s light, holds moisture well, and allows for good airflow—all of which help prevent rot and promote root development.
Here’s what I did step by step:
- Soaked the seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
- Prepared damp sphagnum moss and spread it into a shallow tray.
- Placed the seeds on top and gently covered them with a thin moss layer.
- Covered the tray with plastic wrap to create a humid microclimate.
- Placed it in a warm, bright (but not sunny) spot. I put it under a plant lamp (lamp #1 from the equipment overview here)
After about 3 weeks, the first little sprouts poked out! 🌱 This is how they looked at that time:
One already started to grow a little leaf – HYPE!
Transplanting the Seedlings
Once the first true leaves appeared, I transplanted the strongest seedlings into small pots filled with my go-to aroid mix:
- Orchid bark
- Perlite
- Pine bark or coco coir
- A bit of worm castings
This soil mix ensures good drainage and airflow around the young roots.
Growth Over Time
The plants quickly took off—especially one seedling, which grew faster than the rest. I documented the entire journey in a timelapse, and you can literally see the plants reaching toward the light, adjusting, and growing. It’s magical.
After 75 days, each plant had at least two leaves and the first aerial roots began forming. That was my cue to continue regular care and prep them for the long-term.
Quick Reference Table
| Factor | Optimal Condition / Tip |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sun during early growth stages. |
| Humidity | 70–90% during germination. Use a humidity dome or plastic cover to retain moisture. |
| Temperature | 21–29 °C (70–85 °F). Consistent warmth is key for successful germination. |
| Soil | Well-draining aroid mix: orchid bark, perlite, coco coir or peat, and a bit of worm castings. |
| Medium for Germination | Moist sphagnum moss. High humidity, good air flow, and excellent water retention. |
| Fertilizer | None for seedlings. After 4–6 weeks, start with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g. ¼ strength). |
| Watering | Keep moss/soil slightly moist, never soggy. Let top layer dry slightly before rewatering. |
| Repotting | Transplant when the first 1–2 true leaves have formed and roots are strong enough. |
Final Thoughts
Growing Monstera from seed is definitely a slower process than propagation—but watching those first sprouts push through the moss and slowly turn into full plants? Totally worth it. If you want to learn more about monstera care check out my care guide -> https://blog.interesting-as-fck.com/2025/03/30/the-ultimate-monstera-tutorial-growing-stunning-monsteras-from-scratch/
If you’ve ever thought about trying this yourself, I highly recommend it. Be patient, stay consistent, and celebrate the tiny milestones. And if you’ve already tried growing Monstera from seed, I’d love to hear your story in the comments! Do you want to see how it grew in timelapse? Check out my youtube channel:
Thanks for reading and happy growing! 🌿💚
