If your Monstera's new leaves keep coming in solid, round, and nothing like the dramatic split leaves you've seen on other people's plants, you're probably wondering what you're doing wrong. Likely nothing. Leaf splitting, technically called fenestration, depends on a handful of specific conditions coming together, and when even one of them isn't quite right yet, your Monstera will keep producing solid leaves until it is.
Staircase gardens are everywhere on Pinterest right now: pothos cascading down the risers, a snake plant anchoring the landing, greenery turning a walk up the stairs into something worth photographing. If you have tried to recreate one and ended up with a leggy, dropping plant instead, there is a reason for that.
The right potting mix for an aroid depends on which genus you're growing, not just the word "aroid" on the bag. Climbing epiphytes like Monstera and Philodendron want a chunky, bark-forward blend, moisture-loving Anthurium wants extra sponge built into the mix, and rhizome-storing plants like ZZ plant want something leaner and closer to a succulent blend. This guide breaks the ratio down genus by genus, with a comparison table and a step-by-step way to build or adjust a bag of potting mix at home.
