Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii) Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems

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

Description

Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii) also called Swiss Cheese Vine or Monkey Mask Plant bears 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' (shown below) which bears glossy leaves with two tones of green and cream.

Size

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

Origin

Monstera adansonii is native to the rainforests of South America and Central America where it grows as an epiphyte on tree barks.

Swiss Cheese Vine produces aerial roots from the stem which grasp the tree bark and other foliage to support the plant as it climbs up the tree.

Toxicity

Adanson's Monstera (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

Healthy Monstera adansonii in various sizes are available online at Etsy. Buy Adanson's Monstera online from Etsy.

Adanson's Monstera Plant Care

Adanson's Monstera (Monstera adansonii) thrives in bright to medium, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained 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.

Light Requirements

Adanson's Monstera grows best in bright to medium, indirect light away from direct sunlight as it can cause scorch the leaves.

Position the plant next to a sunless window or near a bright window where it will receive bright to medium, indirect light but away from direct sunlight.

Swiss Cheese Vine produces small leaves and spindly leaf-stalks if there is not enough light and it stops growing in deep shade.

Monstera adansonii can also grow under a grow light where natural lighting is not adequate.

Watering

Water Adanson's Monstera liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 in. 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.

Avoid soggy soil for Swiss Cheese Vine as it can lead to root-rot disease which can result in the eventual death of the plant.

Temperature

The best temperature for growing Monkey Mask Plant indoors is an average warmth with a minimum of 15⁰C. Keep it away from cold draughts to avoid sudden drop in temperature as it can lead to lack of perforations in the leaves

Humidity

Adanson's Monstera has no need for high humidity; average room humidity is ideal for the plant. However, where the air is too dry especially in high room temperatures, increase humidity.

Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

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

Fertilizer (Feeding)

Feed Adanson's Monstera with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for lush growth.

Withhold feeding during 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 like this Monstera Potting Medium available at Etsy.

Repotting

Repot Adanson's Monstera 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 disease and eventual loss of the plant.

Pruning

Pruning Adanson's Monstera is easy. Remove yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.

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

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 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.

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 well-lit, 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 routine care can begin.

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.

Place the cutting in a jar containing plain water while ensuring that at least one leaf node is under water.

Position the set up in a well-lit spot and change the water every 5-7 days.

Once adequate roots have developed, plant the cutting in soil and place in a well-lit shaded place.

Allow the new Monstera adansonii to be well established before transplanting after which routine care can begin.

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.

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 shaded well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new Swiss Cheese Vine is well established.

2. The second way involves coating the stem at a node with a rooting hormone. 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 routine care can begin.

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.

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 in Swiss Cheese Vine is inadequate light. Move the plant to a brighter spot and ensure that it is receiving bright, indirect light or grow it under a grow light where natural lighting is insufficient.

The second possible reason for lack of perforation in Monkey Mask Plant is cold air due to cold draughts like windy doors and windows.

Keep the plant away from cold draughts and maintain an average warmth with a minimum of 15⁰C.

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 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.

Decrease watering in the cold period but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.

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.

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.

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 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.

Also, 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 Monkey Mask 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 in. 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 Monstera adansonii 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 Monkey Mask Plant is receiving an average warmth with a minimum of 15⁰C and protect it from hot draughts (heat from hot air).

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.

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.

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 is receiving 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 plnt 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 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.

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 houseplants and treat it for the disease appropriately with a fungicidal solution. 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.