Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii) Indoor Care and Propagation Guide
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Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii) blossoms in bright to medium indirect light, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing period.
Adanson's Monstera also called Swiss Cheese Vine or Monkey Mask Plant is one of the popular Monstera varieties with 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. Swiss Cheese Vine is among the best low-light plants for an office desk without sunlight.
Toxicity
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).
Adanson's Monstera Plant Care
Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii) flourishes in bright to medium indirect light, average warmth of 17-290C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, Monstera potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing period.
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
Water Adanson's Monstera liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Cut down on watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to rotting and death of the plant.
After watering your plant, always discard any excess water from the catch plate or saucer to prevent the soil from gettting soggy. Avoid watering the plant with too cold water as it can lead to shock of this tropical plant which can result in stunted growth.
Light Requirements
Adanson's Monstera grows best in bright to medium indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause scorching of the leaves. Position the plant next to a sunless window or near a bright window where it will receive bright to medium indirect light.
Swiss Cheese Vine produces small leaves and spindly leaf-stalks if there is not enough light and it stops growing in deep shade. Where the natural lighting is not adequate, you may grow Monstera adansonii under grow lights. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
For uniform growth and to prevent leggy growth, regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for Monkey Mask Plant is an average warmth of 17-290C. Keep it away from cold drafts to avoid sudden drop in temperature as it can lead to lack of perforations in the leaves.
Adanson's Monstera has no need for high humidity. Average humidity of 50-55% is ideal for the plant. However, where the air is too dry especially in high room temperatures, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Make sure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Adanson's Monstera with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is reduced and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Potting Medium
The best potting mix for Monstera adansonii should be rich in organic matter and well-drained to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Potting mixes designed for Monstera and those designed for Aroids are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Adanson's Monstera every 1-2 years during the growing season when it becomes root-bound; when roots grow through the drainage hole. Use a pot 1 size larger and one 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 the stems can cascade downwards beautifully. Take a look at these hanging planters with macrame hangers on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Adanson's Monstera is easy. Remove yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. If it becomes too large and unruly cutback the stems to the desired level with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to rejuvenate growth. The stems from the pruning can be used to propagate new plants. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Propagation
Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing period by use of stem cuttings or by air layering. The stem cuttings can be rooted either in soil or in water.
How to propagate Adanson's Monstera from stem cuttings in soil
Take a stem cutting from a healthy Adanson's Monstera by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. Just one leaf node with the leaf is enough to propagate a new Swiss Cheese Vine.
Dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
Insert the cutting in moist free-draining soil. Ensure the rooting container has proper drainage to avoid getting soggy soil.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.
Allow the new Monkey Mask Plant to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Adanson's Monstera from stem cuttings in water
Take a stem cutting from a healthy Adanson's Monstera by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. Just one leaf node with the leaf is enough to propagate a new plant.
Dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
Place the cutting in a jar of plain water while ensuring that at least one leaf node is under water.
Position the set up in a brightly-lit spot and change the water every 5-7 days.
Once adequate roots have developed, plant the cutting in well-drained soil and place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Allow the new Monstera adansonii to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Adanson's Monstera by air layering
There are two methods of air layering Adanson's Monstera.
1. One method consists of notching the stem of a healthy Adanson's Monstera and coating the notch with a rooting hormone to encourage rooting.
Surround the notched area with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.
After the roots have formed sever the stem just below the covered part.
Remove the polythene and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist, free-draining soil.
Place in a warm, brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new Swiss Cheese Vine is well established after which you can begin routine care.
2. The second way involves coating 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.
After the roots have formed sever the stem just below the covered part.
Remove the polythene and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist, free-draining soil.
Place in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new Swiss Cheese Vine is well established after which you can begin routine care.
Monstera adansonii Problems
Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii) problems include lack of perforation, yellow leaves, leggy growth, brown leaf tips, leaf drop, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Diseases
Adanson's Monstera is prone to leaf spot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with a fungicidal solution as indicated on the label. Ensure that there is good air circulation for the plant.
Pests
Common pests in Adanson's Monstera are mealy bugs, scale insects, aphids and spider mites. 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.
Lack of perforation
Adanson's Monstera lack of perforation is due to four possible reasons. However, the young leaves in may not be perforated. One possible reason for lack of perforation is inadequate light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or grow it under a grow light where natural lighting is insufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
The second possible reason for lack of perforation in Monkey Mask Plant is cold air due to cold drafts from windy doors and windows. Keep the plant away from cold drafts and maintain an average warmth of 17-290C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
The third possible reason for lack of perforation in Swiss Cheese Vine is underwatering. Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Decrease watering in the cold period but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
The fourth possible reason for lack of perforation in Monstera adansonii is underfeeding. Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period. Learn how to feed houseplants.
In tall plants, the possible cause of lack of perforation in Monstera adansonii is likely to be failure of water reaching the uppermost leaves. Ensure the aerial roots are pushed into the compost or allowed to grow into a moist support inorder to supply water and nutrients to the upper leaves.
Brown papery leaf tips and edges
Adanson's Monstera brown papery leaf tips and edges are due to two possible reasons. One possible reason for brown papery lef tips and edges is low air humidity. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Learn more on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
The second possible reason for Monstera adansonii brown papery leaf tips and edges is that the plant may be pot-bound. Repot the plant into a pot 1 size larger and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from becoming soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Yellowing leaves
Adanson's Monstera yellowing leaves are due to four possible causes. One possible cause of yellowing leaves is overwatering if many leaves are affected and there are signs of wilting and rotting.
Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. In addition ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
The second possible cause of Monstera adansonii yellowing leaves is underfeeding if there is no wilting and rotting. Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period but withhold feeding during the cold season.
The third possible cause of Swiss Cheese Vine yellowing leaves is underwatering if only lower leaves are affected and have dark spots and new leaves are dark and small. Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
The fourth possible reason of Monkey Mask Plant yellowing leaves is exposure to direct sunlight if the leaves pale colored and have straw-colored patches. Shield the plant from direct sunshine or move it to a shadier spot to prevent sunscorching.
Dropping leaves
Adanson's Monstera losing (dropping) leaves is due to two possible reasons. One possible reason for dropping leaves is age. As the lower leaves age, they fall as a natural process.
The second possible reason for dropping leaves in Monstera adansonii is sudden change of growing conditions if there is an abnormal loss of leaves. Avoid sudden changes in the growing conditions. Gradually acclimatize it to the new growing conditions before moving it to a new position.
The third possible reason for Swiss Cheese Vine losing (dropping) leaves is high temperature if the leaves turn brown and dry before they fall. Ensure that the plant is receiving an average warmth of 17-290C and protect it from hot drafts (heat from hot air).
Leggy growth and small pale leaves
Adanson's Monstera leggy growth and small pale leaves is due to too little light as it will not thrive in deep shade. Position the plant in a more brighter spot where it will receive bright light but away from direct sunshine or instal a grow light where natural lighting is insufficient.
Rotting stems
Adanson's Monstera rotting stems is an indication of fungal stem-rot disease which is promoted by high moisture and too little warmth. You can save the plant by repotting and keeping the soil dry and warm for a period of time.
Weeping at the leaf edges
Adanson's Monstera weeping at the leaf edges is due to too wet soil. Stop watering the plant and always allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.
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