Monstera siltepecana (Silver Monstera) Indoor Care, Propagation and Common Problems

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Monstera siltepecana also called Siltene Monstera is one of the popular Monstera varieties and exhibits two different growth habits in its life stages. In its juvenile stage, the long, oval-shaped leaves are bluish-gray with distinct dark-green veins. As it ages, the leaves become larger, dark-green and develop fenestrations (holes).

This rare Monstera can be grown as a climber on a trellis or pole, in a hanging basket or in a terrarium. The leaves will remain in the juvenile stage if it is grown in a terrarium or in a hanging basket. If allowed to climb on a moss pole or trellis, it will begin to produce mature leaves.

The Monstera siltepecana is sometimes incorrectly labelled as Silver Queen Philodendron or Philodendron siltepecana. Monstera siltepecana is often mistaken for Epipremnum-pinnatum Cebu Blue Pothos. The leaves in Monstera siltepecana are larger, variegated with distinct dark-green veins while those of Cebu Blue are smaller and have a glaucous and textured appearance.

Botanical name: Monstera siltepecana
Family: Araceae
Common names: Silver Monstera, Siltene Monstera

Origin

Monstera siltepecana is an evergreen vine native to the tropical rainforests of Mexico and Central America where it is found growing as a hemiepiphyte.

How big does Monstera siltepecana get?

Monstera siltepecana is a climbing plant which grows to a height of 5-8 feet and a spread of 3-5 feet.

Is Monstera siltepecana poisonous?

Yes. Monstera siltepecana is mildly toxic to humans and toxic to pets. If ingested, it can cause pain and swelling in the mouth, tongue and lips, vomiting, excessive drooling and difficulty in swallowing.

Where to Buy

Are you looking to add Monstera siltepecana to your collection? You may acquire these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Monstera siltepecana Indoors

To care for Monstera siltepecana indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 18-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Silver Monstera requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestation. Repotting is only needed when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How often should I water Monstera siltepecana?

Do not water on a schedule. Water Monstera siltepecana liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf fall.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist since growth is reduced. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Use chlorine-free water like rain water to prevent browning of leaf tips and edges. Only use room temperature water to avoid cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf loss.

Make sure the soil is well-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to rotting and eventual death of the plant.

Light Requirements

How much light does Monstera siltepecana need?

Monstera siltepecana grows best in bright indirect light; position near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can cause scorching of the leaves.

If the light is too low, the plant will show stunted growth and leggy growth coupled with pale yellow leaves. Therefore, if the natural lighting is not adequate, use a grow light to increase it.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent legginess.

Temperature & Humidity

Monstera siltepecana flourishes in a warmth of 18-27⁰C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature which can result in stunted growth, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Silver Monstera performs best in a humidity of 50-55%. Too dry air will result in brown leaf tips and edges. To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or use a cool mist humidifier. Make sure there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

How do you fertilize Monstera siltepecana?

Feed Monstera siltepecana with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth. Do not feed in fall and winter to prevent salts buildup as growth is minimal at this time.

Regularly leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until the water drains through the drainage hole.

Potting Soil

What is the best soil for Monstera siltepecana?

The best soil for Monstera siltepecana should be rich and well-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. A potting mix designed for Monsteras and those designed for aroids are ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Silver Monstera every 1-2 years in the growing season when it becomes pot-bound; when the roots grow through the drainage hole. Use a pot 1 size larger and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot.

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

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Silver Monstera entails removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.

Every so often, clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestation.

Monstera siltepecana Propagation

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

1. Rooting Monstera siltepecana stem cuttings in soil

1. Take a stem cutting about 4-6 inches long from a healthy plant by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. Just one leaf node with the leaf is enough to propagate a new plant.


2. Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


3. Insert at least 3 inches of the cutting in moist, free-draining soil. Make sure that the rooting container has proper drainage to avoid getting soggy soil.


4. Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.


5. Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting afterwhich you can begin routine care.

2. Rooting Monstera siltepecana stem cuttings in water

1. Take a stem cutting about 4-6 inches long from a healthy plant by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. Just one leaf node with the leaf is enough to propagate a new plant.


2. Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


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


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


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


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

3. Propagating Monstera siltepecana by air layering

There are two methods of air layering Silver Monstera.

Method 1

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


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


5. Place in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established afterwhich you can begin routine care.

Method 2

1. Coat 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.


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 in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established afterwhich you can begin routine care.

Monstera siltepecana Problems & Solutions

Silver Monstera problems are yellowing & dropping leaves, brown leaf tips, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.

Yellowing & dropping leaves

Yellowing & dropping leaves off Monstera siltepecana is caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, dry air or aging.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water only when the top 2-3 inches of the soil dry out.

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

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or use a cool mist humidifier.

Aging: It is natural for the old leaves to turn yellow and drop as the plant matures.

Brown leaf tips

Brown leaf tips on Silver Monstera are caused by low humidity, salts buildup, being pot-bound or pests infestations.

How to fix it

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

Salts buildup: Flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.

Being pot-bound: Repot the plant into a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole.

Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth with small pale leaves on Silver Monstera is caused by too little light or overwatering.

How to fix it

Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Overwatering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out.

Pests

Common pests of Monstera siltepecana are mealybugs, scales, aphids and spider mites especially in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the infested plant to reduce spread to other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as instructed by the manufacturer.


3. Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.


4. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to elevate humidity to minimize the pests infestations.

Diseases

Monstera siltepecana is prone to leaf spot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. The disease presents as brown, soft leaf spots.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with a fungicidal solution as indicated on the label.


3. Maintain good air flow for the plant to reduce infestation.


4. Avoid wetting the foliage during watering to depress the disease .

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