Monstera adansonii (Adanson's Monstera) Care Indoors, Propagation, Problems & Remedies

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Adanson's Monstera also called Swiss Cheese Vine or Monkey Mask Plant is one of the popular Monstera varieties and features glossy, long, ovate, green-colored, perforated leaves. In the juvenille stage the stems exhibit a creeping habit, have short internodes while the leaves may be entire or perforated when only 5-10 cm long.

As Swiss Cheese Vine grows, it begins to exhibit climbing habits as the internodes increase in length. When provided with a moss pole, the plant grows faster with larger leaves.

Monstera adansonii has a variegated variety, Monstera adansonii 'Albo-Variegata' which bears glossy leaves with two tones of green and cream.

Botanical name: Monstera adansonii
Synonyms: Monstera pertusum, Philodendron pertusum
Family: Araceae
Common names: Adanson's Monstera, Swiss Cheese Vine, Monkey Mask Plant

Origin

Monstera adansonii is native to the rainforests of South America and Central America where it grows as an epiphyte on tree barks. It produces aerial roots from the stem which grasp the tree bark and other foliage to support the plant as it climbs up the tree.

Size

Adanson's Monstera is a vining plant which can grow about 13 feet long. It can be grown as a climber or in a hanging basket where the stems can hang down beautifully.

Is Monstera adansonii toxic to pets?

Yes. Monstera adansonii is mildly toxic to humans and toxic to pets. As explained by ASPCA, if ingested it can cause pain and swelling in the mouth, tongue and lips, vomiting, excessive drooling and difficulty in swallowing.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add Monstera adansonii to your collection. You may get them online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Monstera adansonii Indoors

To care for Adanson's Monstera indoors, provide bright to medium indirect light, warmth of 17-29⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Monstera adansonii requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is only needed when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for a detailed account on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Monstera adansonii Variegata

Watering

How often should I water my Monstera adansonii indoors?

Water Monstera adansonii liberally in spring and summer until water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to preventing rotting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Avoid watering with too cold water to prevent shocking this tropical plant as it can result in stunted growth and leaf loss. Use chlorine-free water like rain water, to avoid browning of leaf edges.

Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent sogginess which can lead to rotting and plant death. Always discard excess water from the catchplate or saucer to prevent the soil waterlogging.

Light Requirements

Where is the best place to put Monstera adansonii?

Monstera adansonii grows best in bright to medium indirect light; position it near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Adanson's Monstera produces small leaves and spindly leaf-stalks if the light is not enough and it stops growing in deep shade. If the natural lighting is not adequate, use grow lights to supplement it.

For uniform growth and to prevent leggy growth, give the pot a quarter turn monthly, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.

Temperature & Humidity

Adanson's Monstera thrives in a warmth of 17-29⁰C. Keep it away from drafts to avoid sudden temperature changes which can lead to stunted growth, wilting, yellowing, leaf drop and lack of perforations in the leaves.

Monstera adansonii has no need for high humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for the plant. However, where the air is too dry, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier to raise humidity. Maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

What kind of fertilizer for Monstera adansonii?

Feed Monstera adansonii with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for lush growth. Avoid too much fertilizer as it can lead to leggy growth.

Withhold feeding in fall and winter as growth is reduced and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.

Regularly flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole. Repeat several times to clear most of the salts

Potting Soil

What is the best soil for Monstera adansonii?

The best potting soil for Monstera adansonii is a free-draining, well-aerated soil mix to prevent waterlogging. A potting mix designed for Monstera and those designed for Aroids are ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot your Adanson's Monstera every 1-2 years during the growing season when root-bound; when roots grow through the drainage hole. Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.

Monstera adansonii is spectacular in a hanging basket where the stems can cascade downwards beautifully. Check out these hanging planters with macrame hangers on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Monstera adansonii involves:

• Removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.


• Cutting back the stems to the desired level if it becomes too large and unruly to rejuvenate growth. The stems from the pruning can be used to propagate new plants.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.

Monstera adansonii Propagation

Adanson's Monstera is propagated at the beginning of the growing season by use of stem cuttings or by air layering. The stem cuttings can be rooted either in soil or in water.

1. Propagating Adanson's Monstera from stem cuttings in soil

1. Take a stem cutting from a healthy plant by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. One or two leaf nodes with the leaf is enough to propagate a new plant.


2. Dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


3. Insert the lower cut end of cutting in moist free-draining soil. Ensure the rooting container has proper drainage to avoid rotting.


4. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


5. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.


6. Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating Adanson's Monstera from stem cuttings in water

1. Take a stem cutting from a healthy plant by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. One or two leaf nodes with the leaf is enough to propagate a new plant.


2. Dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


3. Submerge one leaf node in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station.


4. Position the set up in a brightly-lit spot and change the water every 5-7 days to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.


5. Once adequate roots have developed, transfer the cutting in well-drained soil, in a pot with a drainage hole.


6. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


7. Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

3. Propagating Adanson's Monstera by air layering

There are two methods of air layering Adanson's Monstera.

Method 1

1. Notch the stem of a healthy stem and coat the notch with a rooting hormone to encourage rooting.


2. Surround the notched area with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.


3. After the roots have formed, sever the stem just below the covered part.


4. Remove the polythene film and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist, free-draining soil.


5. Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunshine.


6. Keep the soil moist until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Method 2

1. Coat the stem at a node with a rooting hormone to promote rooting. Surround the node with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.


2. After the roots have formed sever the stem just below the covered part.


3. Remove the polythene and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist, free-draining soil.


4. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


5. Maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Monstera adansonii Problems & Solutions

Adanson's Monstera problems are yellow leaves, lack of perforation, leaf drop, brown leaf tips and edges, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix it.

Yellow leaves

Why are my Monstera adansonii leaves turning yellow?

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Monstera adansonii are low light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, underfeeding or direct sunlight.

How to fix it

Low light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow lights if the natural lighting is not enough.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.

Underfeeding: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer but withhold feeding in fall and winter.

Direct sunlight: Shield the plant from direct sunshine or move it to a shadier spot.

Lack of perforation

Lack of perforation on Adanson's Monstera is due to too little light, cold drafts, lack of nutrients or underwatering.

How to fix it

Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is insufficient.

Cold drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts to maintain a warmth of 17-29⁰C.

Lack of nutrients: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in the growing season.

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Push the aerial roots into the soil or allow them to grow into a moist support to supply water and nutrients to the upper leaves.

Leaf drop

Leaf drop on Monstera adansonii is due to incorrect watering, temperature stress, soggy soil or aging.

How to fix it

Incorrect watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from AC units, heat sources, windy doors and others to maintain a warmth of 17-29⁰C.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.

Aging: As the lower leaves age, they fall as a natural process.

Brown leaf tips and edges

Brown leaf tips and edges on Adanson's Monstera are caused by low humidity and being pot-bound.

How to fix it

Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together to raise humidity.

Being pot-bound: Repot the plant into a pot 1 size larger and one with a drainage hole.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth on Monstera adansonii is due to low light and overfertilizing.

How to fix it

Low light: Position the plant in a more brighter spot or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is insufficient.

Overfertilizing: Feed monthly only in spring and summer.

Pests

Common pests of Adanson's Monstera are mealybugs, scale insects, aphids and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Make sure to follow the manufacturers instructions.


2. Regularly damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.


3. Keep the plant well pruned to minimize the hiding and breeding places for these pests.


4. Group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble to increase humidity to reduce pests infestations.

Diseases

Monstera adansonii is prone to leaf spot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. It is characterized by dark brown or black leaf spots.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with a fungicidal solution as indicated on the label.


2. Keep the plant on the dry side, do not mist it and ensure good air circulation.


3. Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-drained soil.

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