Boho Monstera Crochet Plant for Bedroom Shelf Decor

I will be honest with you: I have killed more houseplants than I care to admit. Between inconsistent watering, questionable lighting, and a cat determined to chew on anything green, real plants just do not survive in my home. I am Amy, and this crochet monstera gives me all the lush, tropical vibes with none of the guilt — it sits pretty on my bedroom shelf, never needs water, and looks stunning year-round.

The iconic split leaves, the natural variation in green tones, and the macramé-style pot cover make a piece that looks like it belongs in a design magazine. The construction is modular: you make each leaf separately, attach it to a wire stem, and arrange everything in the pot. Once you understand the leaf construction, you can make as many or as few leaves as you like.

This is an intermediate project. You should be comfortable with basic stitches and increasing and decreasing. The leaf shaping asks for attention to stitch counts, and the fenestrations (the natural holes in monstera leaves) involve some strategic skipping and chaining. If you have made amigurumi or shaped flat pieces before, you will handle this beautifully.

Materials

• 80 yards worsted weight (weight 4) yarn in olive green, for 3-4 leaves
• 80 yards worsted weight (weight 4) yarn in sage green, for 3-4 leaves
• 60 yards worsted weight (weight 4) yarn in light mint or seafoam green, for 2-3 leaves
• 100 yards worsted weight yarn in tan or cream, for the pot cover
• 40 yards worsted weight yarn in brown, for the stems
• 4.0 mm (G/6) crochet hook for the leaves and pot cover
• 3.5 mm (E/4) crochet hook for the stems (optional)
• Floral wire, 18 gauge, approximately 12 pieces at 10-12 inches each, for main leaf stems
• Thinner floral wire, 22-24 gauge, for leaf veins (optional)
• Green floral tape for wrapping stems
• Terracotta pot, approximately 4-5 inches diameter
• Floral foam or polystyrene block to fit inside the pot
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers (optional)

Abbreviations

• ch = chain
• sl st = slip stitch
• sc = single crochet
• hdc = half double crochet
• dc = double crochet
• inc = increase (work 2 stitches into the same stitch)
• dec = decrease (work 2 stitches together as one)
• sk = skip

Gauge & Size

• Use the 4.0 mm (G/6) hook for leaves and pot cover, working a slightly tight gauge so the leaves hold their shape firmly
• Make 8-10 leaves total across your three green shades
• Finished plant is sized to a 4-5 inch terracotta pot; add or remove leaves to suit your pot and shelf

Large Monstera Leaf

Each leaf is worked flat in rows, then edged with a border. The fenestrations (splits) are created by chaining across gaps.

Row 1: Ch 15. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (14 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in next 12 sts, 2 sc in last st. (16 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (16 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in next 14 sts, 2 sc in last st. (18 sts)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (18 sts)

Row 6: Ch 1, turn. 2 sc in first st, sc in next 16 sts, 2 sc in last st. (20 sts)

Rows 7-8: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (20 sts)

Row 9 (first fenestration): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 6 sts, ch 3, sk next 3 sts, sc in next 2 sts, ch 3, sk next 3 sts, sc in last 6 sts. (14 sc + 2 ch-3 spaces)

Row 10: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 6 sts, 3 sc in ch-3 space, sc in next 2 sts, 3 sc in ch-3 space, sc in last 6 sts. (20 sts)

Rows 11-12: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (20 sts)

Row 13 (second fenestration): Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 4 sts, ch 4, sk next 4 sts, sc in next 4 sts, ch 4, sk next 4 sts, sc in last 4 sts. (12 sc + 2 ch-4 spaces)

Row 14: Ch 1, turn. Sc in first 4 sts, 4 sc in ch-4 space, sc in next 4 sts, 4 sc in ch-4 space, sc in last 4 sts. (20 sts)

Rows 15-16: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (20 sts)

Row 17: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec over first 2 sts, sc in next 16 sts, sc dec over last 2 sts. (18 sts)

Row 18: Ch 1, turn. Sc in each st across. (18 sts)

Row 19: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec, sc in next 14 sts, sc dec. (16 sts)

Row 20: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec, sc in next 12 sts, sc dec. (14 sts)

Row 21: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec, sc in next 10 sts, sc dec. (12 sts)

Row 22: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec, sc in next 8 sts, sc dec. (10 sts)

Row 23: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec, sc in next 6 sts, sc dec. (8 sts)

Row 24: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec, sc in next 4 sts, sc dec. (6 sts)

Row 25: Ch 1, turn. Sc dec, sc in next 2 sts, sc dec. (4 sts)

Row 26: Ch 1, turn. (Sc dec) twice. (2 sts)

Fasten off, leaving a long tail.

Leaf Border and Vein

Leaf border: Join yarn at the bottom center of the leaf (where you started your foundation chain). Working around the entire leaf edge: sc evenly around, placing 3 sc in each corner point and working sc2tog (decrease) into the inner angles where splits occur. Sl st to join. This border smooths the edges and gives your leaf that polished, realistic look.

Medium and small leaves: For variety, make some leaves smaller by starting with ch 12 (11 sts) and working fewer rows before shaping. Young monstera leaves also have fewer or no fenestrations, so you can skip the split rows entirely for 2-3 of your leaves.

Central vein: For extra realism, chain a length equal to your leaf height, then surface slip stitch down the center of each leaf from tip to base. This creates the prominent central vein.

Stems

Each leaf needs a sturdy stem. Cut your floral wire 2-3 inches longer than your desired visible stem length (accounting for the portion that inserts into the foam base).

Wrapping method: Using brown yarn and your hook, make a slip knot and place it at the top of the wire near where it will attach to the leaf. Wrap the yarn tightly around the wire, moving downward, keeping wraps snug and close together. When you reach the bottom, tie off securely.

Alternatively, crochet a tube: Ch 4, sl st to form ring. Sc 4 in ring. Continue working sc in spiral until tube reaches desired length. Insert wire, then sew leaf base to stem top.

Pot Cover

The pot cover features an openwork lattice design that gives it that boho feel.

Base Round 1: Using tan/cream yarn, ch 4, sl st to join. (4 sts)

Base Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to join. (8 sts)

Base Round 3: Ch 1, (sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around, sl st to join. (12 sts)

Base Round 4: Ch 1, (sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around, sl st to join. (16 sts)

Base Round 5: Ch 1, (sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) around, sl st to join. (20 sts)

Continue increasing until the base fits the bottom of your terracotta pot.

Sides Round 1: Ch 1, working in back loops only, sc in each st around, sl st to join.

Sides Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to join.

Sides Round 3: Ch 1, (sc in next st, ch 3, sk 2 sts) around, sl st to join.

Sides Round 4: Ch 1, (sc in ch-3 space, ch 3) around, sl st to join.

Repeat Sides Round 4 until the sides reach your desired height. End with 2 rounds of sc in each st for a finished top edge.

Slip your terracotta pot inside. The lattice pattern allows the terracotta color to show through beautifully.

Finishing & Assembly

• Prepare your pot: Place floral foam or a polystyrene block inside your terracotta pot. It should fit snugly.
• Attach leaves to stems: Using your yarn tail, sew the bottom of each leaf securely to its wire stem. The wire should extend about 1 inch up into the leaf for stability.
• Wrap any exposed wire: Make sure no silver wire shows. Touch up with additional yarn wrapping if needed.
• Arrange your stems: Push stems into the foam, starting with larger leaves in the back and center. Position medium leaves around the sides. Place smaller leaves toward the front and lower.
• Vary the angles: Real monstera leaves do not all point the same direction. Bend your wire stems gently to create natural curves and varied heights.
• Secure the foam: If desired, cover the top of the foam with preserved moss, fabric scraps, or additional crocheted pieces.

Tips

• Blocking helps: Lightly steam or wet block your leaves before attaching to stems. This helps them lay flat and look polished.
• Wire gauge matters: Too thin and your leaves will droop sadly. The 18-gauge wire holds up well even for larger leaves.
• Do not skip the border: That edge round really makes the leaves look finished rather than homemade.
• Mix your greens: Using multiple shades adds so much realism. Real monstera plants have leaves in various stages of maturity, so color variation is actually more accurate.
• Style it where it catches natural light — a nightstand, floating shelf, or windowsill — and group it with books, candles, or small ceramic pieces.