Light: Bright, indirect light is necessary for this plant to thrive. With more light, you may even see it start to flower!

Temperature: 65-90 F

Humidity: medium to high; avoid drafty areas

Water: Monolena likes it pretty moist. Water when the top 1-2” of potting mix is dry. Don’t let the mix completely dry out.

Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years into a slightly larger container (1-2” increased diameter or depth). Use a general purpose potting mix.

Fertilizing: Either…

1. Water Application: Incorporate fertilizer into your watering cycle once per month March through September. Dilute an all purpose fertilizer (20-20-20) by half OR use your favorite fertilizer rated for houseplant use in your water.

2. Slow Release: Incorporate slow release fertilizer pellets into the top inch of potting soil every 6 months. Apply the rate indicated for indoor plants on the label. If no recommendation for houseplants is present, apply 1/4 to 1/2 the listed rate.

Melastomataceae is a large tropical family, but not many plants are commonly cultivated besides Monolena.

(Listed in order of commonality…)

• Low light level stress

• Fungus gnats

What are the bulbous growths occurring at the base of my plant?

Monolenas are geophytic; they have a bulb-like tuberous storage structure.