Monstera adansonii

Description

Monstera adansonii: General Information and History

Monstera adansonii, also known as Adanson’s Monstera or the Swiss Cheese Plant, is a low-growing perennial vine that thrives indoors in bright areas. This plant can grow up to 3-5 feet in height with large and oval-shaped leaves, dotted with patterns of holes or ‘windows’ that let light and air through and grant it its iconic name.

It is native to the forests of Central and South America, where it grows like a vine across the ground and up trees. It is also suitable for indoor cultivation. It is a great ornamental plant that can serve as a focal point in an indoor environment.

The Monstera Adansonii is a great plant to have if you look for something low maintenance and easy to care for. It can thrive in many different environments and doesn’t require much care from the owner aside from watering and checking for bugs regularly.

Difference Between Monstera Adansonii and Monstera Deliciosa

You might have heard the name “Monstera” being used to describe a different plant. Don’t worry; you’re not crazy! The two plants are very similar in appearance, but the real difference between them is their size.

The Monstera Adansonii is more compact with smaller leaves. In contrast, the larger Monstera Deliciosa is more sprawling, and sports leaves grow nearly two feet wide in the right conditions. The Monstera Adansonii is also more likely to have upright stems compared to the sprawling branches of the Monstera Deliciosa.

Caring for your Monstera Adansonii?

Light

The Monstera Adansonii needs bright light, which basically means indirect sunlight. In some cases, this plant will do alright in a low-light environment, but it is best practice to give it as much light as you can.

Watering your Adansonii

The Monstera Adansonii should be kept evenly moist, with occasional watering. Never allow your Monstera Adansonii to dry out entirely for long indoors. The leaves will also wilt if they are not adequately watered, so check them often to make sure they are fresh and green. The leaves have a tendency to curl up when they are under-watered.

But be careful that you don’t water too much! Never allow your Monstera Adansonii to get root rot. Root rot results from the plant receiving too much water and can quickly kill your beloved plant. A too-frequent watering schedule, especially in the winter when it’s not consuming as much water, can lead to soggy roots, fungus, and bacteria. Additionally, plants in low light conditions will consume water slower than plants in bright light.

Soil

The Monstera Adansonii needs rich soil that is loose and drains well. Its roots can also grow quite long, so make sure to give them plenty of room to spread out by giving the plant a deep container or a wide pot.

Also, make sure you have a pot with a hole in the bottom for drainage. Mixing peat moss and/or compost into the soil will improve drainage and fertility, as long as you choose an organic material.

Pests, Diseases, and Common Issues

The Monstera Adansonii will rarely, if ever, have any problems when it comes to pests or disease. However, there are some potential issues you should be prepared for. The Monstera Adansonii can be very susceptible to aphids and mealybugs, as most houseplants are. Hence, it is vital to check for thes. They can spread very quickly and will do a lot of damage to the plant in a short period.

If you have an infestation of either one or both of these insects, you should treat them ASAP rather than letting them spread because this could cause severe damage to your plant. Another thing that could affect your Monstera Adansonii is root rot. Like we mentioned, this can happen if your plant does not have adequate drainage. Too much water will lead to the roots rotting and dying, causing a beetle infestation or other problems.

To prevent this from happening, you should provide adequate drainage for the plant by using a pot with a hole in the bottom and being careful with watering to not over-water. This means that you should never let your Monstera Adansonii sit in water at all, especially when it’s not being watered at that moment.

Pruning you Monstera Adansonii

You should try to prune Monstera Adansonii whenever it gets too tall for your liking because this will force the plant to sprout from peripheral buds, making the plant bushier and fuller. As the plant grows up a support, the higher it gets on the support, bigger the leaves will get. Don’t prune it until you’ve reached the height you want or you can even let it hang back down when it reaches the top to be even more full.

Propagation

Monstera Adansonii can be propagated by cutting off the stem about an inch below where the leaf meets the stem. The cutting will take root and sprout from the bud at the leaf node. Place this cutting in a jar of water (making sure to change the water regularly), and within two weeks, you should see roots growing. Next, transfer the cutting to the soil, and you have yourself a new baby Monstera Adansonii. You can plant your baby in the same pot to grow a more full plant.

Potting / Repotting

You should repot your Monstera Adansonii every year or two into a slightly larger pot than before so that the roots have room to grow. Also, make sure to use a pot with holes in the bottom for adequate drainage.