Monstera Adansonii care is really quite easy if you understand a few of its major likes and dislikes.
It’s a plant we commonly see in homes and offices because it’s great for novices as it’s easy to grow and it loves to climb. When given support through stakes or trellis, it will provide larger upward-growing leaves.
Or, place it on a shelf and allow it to grow cascading down.
When the plant matures, it can reach up to 10 and 20 meters in height (with the right support). Although it’s a flowering plant, you’ll rarely see it bloom- this usually happens in springtime, but mostly in the wild.
It’s not a plant which wants too much sun- rather a bright area, but indirect sun.
With proper care, it will add a beautiful jungle-like atmosphere. As it doesn’t grow as big as the deliciosa, it’s ideal for smaller areas.
Monstera Adansonii is a great option if you want to purify the air in your home and office- it’s one of the 10 best air purifying indoor plants according to a NASA study.
If you have pets in your home, make sure you place it away from their reach as it’s toxic to them, according to the ASPCA.
Interesting fact:
The interesting common name, Swiss cheese plant, is inspired by its big and heart-shaped leaves which, with age, develop holes that resemble Swiss cheese.
How to Take Care of Monstera Adansonii
Light
Monstera Adansonii care begins by understanding that they’re native to the jungles in South and Central America, their natural habitat is the wild under the coverage of the big trees.
Therefore it will thrive when you place it in an area that’s not directly exposed to the sunlight. If it still receives direct sun, reduce it to only 2 to 3 hours in the morning.
Temperature
If possible, it’s best to keep this plant in an area in which the temperature is regularly above 60 degrees F. Still, the plant is able to survive short cold temperatures.
In the summer, you can move it outside.
Water & Humidity
Before you water the plant, put half of your finger into the soil to check out the dryness/wetness. If it feels almost dry, water it.
In spring and summer time, this may be more often than in the colder months when the plant is dormant.
The plant also loves high humidity and a lot of moisture during the rainy season. The more you can mimic its natural habitat, the better for it.
Keeping it in a warm, light, and humid bathroom may be a great choice.
Otherwise, increase the humidity by misting the plant or placing a humidifier near it. In the summer, put it outside on your balcony or in the yard.
Soil
Want your Monstera Adansonii to thrive? – Make sure you pot it in a peat-based soil with big drainage hole.
Peat moss is good because it collects the moisture in the soil and prevents water logging. Opt for a soil with a pH range between 5.5 and 7.0.
Feeding
After potting or repotting the plant, wait 4 to 6 months before applying fertilizer, especially if you used general potting soil- this is because this soil already contains slow-release fertilizer.
Otherwise, do it in the summer and spring when watering the plant. In the fall and winter, pause from the feeding.
Repotting
If you use them as hanging plants or trailers, they’ll require less repotting-every other year.
Replace the soil with new fresh one every year. When they don’t have appropriate soil, they won’t be happy.
Propagation
If you want to share your Monstera Adansonii, do it through stem cuts or with a rooting hormone.
Keep the cuttings warm, moist and safe until you see them growing roots. You can bag them to better its chances of survival.
If you use rooting hormone, pour some of it on a surface and dip the cutting, several bottom inches into it.
Then, plant the cut in a soilless pot and water it lightly and keep it warm. Keep it in an area that’s not exposed to direct sun.
Best Monstera Adansonii Species
Narrow M. Adansonii
This variety has the recognizable leaf holes, but a narrower form, as the name suggests. The leaves are more elongated and the tips are slightly pointed to one side.
Round M. Adansonii
This variety has the same leaf holes, but its foliage is wider and more heart-shaped. In terms of maintenance, both the narrow and this type are maintained in the same way.
Variegated M. Adansonii
This variegated m. Adansonii is popular for its irregular patches of lighter yellow or white color on its foliage.
Also, it differs from other m. Adansonii because it needs more light due to the lower presence of chlorophyll in it.
Other Tips
Being a climber plant, it may be wise to prune it if begins to grow out of control.
Do this in the spring or autumn-cut away the top growth, as well as the damaged and dead leaves and cut close to the main stem.
There are 41 species of Monstera, including this one, Monstera Adansonii.
- adansonii shouldn’t be confused with M. Obliqua- this is a very rare species of Monstera which has been seen only 17 times by botanists in the wild.
Its leaves have 90 percent holes and the chances of seeing two leaves the same are the same as seeing a unicorn!
Trouble Shooting- Common Issues
Problem: brown leaf tips
Cause: too much direct sun or under- or over-watering.
Solution: Change its location- move it a bit away from the window. Regulate the watering schedule- don’t do it until the top layer is fully dry. Try a soil moisture meter to help you here.
Problem: yellowing of the leaves
Cause: under- or over-watering.
Solution: This doesn’t mean you’re giving your plant too much water, but too soon or too late. The plant wants its soil moist, but only a bit-it dislikes a wet and soaking soil.
Problem: drooping leaves
Cause: dry soil.
Solution: This plant wants a moist soil, but not excessively. It’s important to keep a regular watering schedule and not under- or over-water the soil.
Do it when 2 to 3 inches on the top are dry (test it using your finger!).
I hope you’ve enjoyed this article about Monstera Adansonii Care.
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