Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Monstera Deliciosa Borsigiana (Monstera deliciosa var. borsigiana)— schedule & NPK
Also called Borsigiana monstera, Climbing monstera.
More about monstera deliciosa borsigiana
About Monstera Deliciosa Borsigiana
Monstera deliciosa var. borsigiana · also called Borsigiana monstera, Climbing monstera · houseplant
Borsigiana is a smaller, faster-growing form of Monstera deliciosa with more compact leaves and shorter spacing between nodes, making it a tidy climber for indoors. It develops the classic split and fenestrated leaves as it matures on a moss pole. It needs bright indirect light, and like all Monstera, it is toxic to pets.
Growth habit: Vigorous evergreen climbing vine; the borsigiana form has shorter internodes and smaller leaves than the species but still develops splits and fenestrations, climbing strongly on a moss pole with thick aerial roots.
What fertiliser monstera deliciosa borsigiana actually wants — and why
Monstera Deliciosa Borsigiana is a genuinely hungry tropical — in bright warmth it pushes growth fast and rewards a regular half-strength balanced feed all season.
A balanced liquid feed (even N-P-K) or a slightly nitrogen-leaning foliage feed — this is a big-leaved foliage plant putting on real size, so it wants steady nitrogen for lush leaves, not a bloom formula.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for monstera deliciosa borsigiana: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed monstera deliciosa borsigiana, and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For monstera deliciosa borsigiana:
Feed every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half to full strength; this fast climber is a moderate to heavy feeder. Reduce in autumn and stop in winter. For a fast grower like this that means feeding regularly — about every 2-4 weeks — right through spring through early autumn (roughly March to September), tapering off only as light drops in autumn.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when monstera deliciosa borsigiana is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for monstera deliciosa borsigiana
Half strength every feed is the sweet spot for monstera deliciosa borsigiana: frequent enough to fuel fast growth, dilute enough that it never scorches even when you feed often.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water monstera deliciosa borsigiana first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the monstera deliciosa borsigiana watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding monstera deliciosa borsigiana
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for monstera deliciosa borsigiana:
- Brown, scorched leaf tips and margins despite correct watering.
- A white salt crust on the soil or around the pot edge.
- Sudden leaf yellowing and drop shortly after a strong feed.
- Soft, weak, over-stretched growth that cannot support itself.
Signs you are under-feeding monstera deliciosa borsigiana
- New leaves coming in noticeably smaller than older ones.
- Pale, yellow-green older leaves and slow growth through peak summer.
- A general loss of vigour and gloss in a plant that should be racing away.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full monstera deliciosa borsigiana care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Because you feed often, salts accumulate faster — flush the pot of monstera deliciosa borsigiana with plain water until it drains freely roughly every month through the feeding season to keep the root zone clean.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for monstera deliciosa borsigiana
Organic options
A diluted seaweed or fish-and-seaweed feed plus a yearly top-dress of worm castings supports fast growth without burn risk. UK: Westland seaweed or Baby Bio Organic; US: Neptune's Harvest or Espoma Indoor!.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A balanced houseplant liquid at half strength applied frequently — UK: Baby Bio, Phostrogen or Westland Houseplant Feed; US: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food or Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro for steady leafy growth.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising monstera deliciosa borsigiana — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does monstera deliciosa borsigiana need?
A balanced liquid feed (even N-P-K) or a slightly nitrogen-leaning foliage feed — this is a big-leaved foliage plant putting on real size, so it wants steady nitrogen for lush leaves, not a bloom formula. Monstera Deliciosa Borsigiana is a genuinely hungry tropical — in bright warmth it pushes growth fast and rewards a regular half-strength balanced feed all season.
How often should I feed monstera deliciosa borsigiana?
Feed every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half to full strength; this fast climber is a moderate to heavy feeder. Reduce in autumn and stop in winter. Feed every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half to full strength; this fast climber is a moderate to heavy feeder. Reduce in autumn and stop in winter. For a fast grower like this that means feeding regularly — about every 2-4 weeks — right through spring through early autumn (roughly March to September), tapering off only as light drops in autumn.
What strength of feed for monstera deliciosa borsigiana?
Half strength every feed is the sweet spot for monstera deliciosa borsigiana: frequent enough to fuel fast growth, dilute enough that it never scorches even when you feed often.
What does over-feeding monstera deliciosa borsigiana look like?
Brown, scorched leaf tips and margins despite correct watering. A white salt crust on the soil or around the pot edge. Sudden leaf yellowing and drop shortly after a strong feed. Soft, weak, over-stretched growth that cannot support itself. The mistake here is the opposite of most houseplants: under-feeding a fast tropical in peak season starves it, leaving small, pale new leaves and slow growth — but full-strength doses still burn it, so feed often and weak, not occasionally and strong.
Should I flush the soil of monstera deliciosa borsigiana?
Because you feed often, salts accumulate faster — flush the pot of monstera deliciosa borsigiana with plain water until it drains freely roughly every month through the feeding season to keep the root zone clean.
Keep reading
- Monstera Deliciosa Borsigiana care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water monstera deliciosa borsigiana — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise snake plant
- How to fertilise dracaena
- How to fertilise peperomia
- All 5561 fertilising guides in the Growli library