Monstera Adansonii: Why You Need This Tropical Plant at Home

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Shaleena Quinlan

Shaleena comes from a long line of midwestern farmers and feels like gardening is in her blood. She loved helping her grandmother in her garden, learning to plow the soil, sow the seeds, and carefully attend to each plant. Her travels had added to her gardening knowledge, and she knows quite a bit about growing produce in the tropics. She always makes space for a bit of a garden no matter where she has lived.

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This is a tropical plant that is ideally suited for indoor life. Yes, it is well suited for outdoor life too, but it is so unique-looking and delicate, that it should be placed in a location where it can be enjoyed and celebrated often.

How to Identify Monstera Adansonii

This plant is a cousin to the popular Monstera Deliciosa, which is commonly called Swiss Cheese plant. It is also closely related to the Monstera Obliqua. In order to lessen the confusion all these names can cause, we will be referring to each plant by its botanical name rather than the common names that are interchangeable.

Because these three plants are closely related, they have very similar features. To tell the difference between these plants, look for these key differences:

Monstera Adansonii vs Monstera Deliciosa

• Monstera Adansonii have leaves that grow between 10 and 30 inches long and 6 to 8 inches wide; whereas, Monstera Deliciosa have leaves that grow between 10 and 35 inches long and 10 to 30 inches wide.
• Monstera Adansonii have leaves with more fenestrations and these are narrow and elliptical; whereas, Monstera Deliciosa have leaves with fewer fenestrations and these are large and semi-round or oblong.
• Monstera Adansonii have leaves with smooth and uninterrupted edges; whereas, Monstera Deliciosa have leaves with smooth edges that are irregularly shaped and perforated.
• Monstera Adansonii have a geniculum that is straight and smooth; whereas, Monstera Deliciosa have a geniculum that is wavy.
• Monstera Adansonii grows vines that are between 7 and 20 feet long; whereas, Monstera Deliciosa can grow up to 30 feet tall.

Monstera Adansonii vs Monstera Obliqua

• Monstera Adansonii leaves are more oval or arrow-shaped; whereas, Monstera Obliqua leaves are narrow.
• Monstera Adansonii leaves have more leaf tissue than holes; whereas, Monstera Obliqua leaves have more holes than leaf tissue.
• Monstera Adansonii leaves have a slightly rougher texture; whereas, Monstera Obliqua leaves have a paper-thin texture.

How to Grow Monstera Adansonii from Seed

To grow a Monstera Adansonii from seed, follow these steps:

1. Purchase seeds from a reputable seller (sellers who price their seeds between $1 and $2)
2. Soak the seeds in water for 24 to 48 hours
3. Fill a container with a seed starting soil mix
4. Plant the seeds in the soil mix
5. Water the soil so that it is moist but not soggy
6. Place plastic wrap over the top of the container
7. Set the container in a warm spot that gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight
8. Once sprouts appear above the soil level, acclimatize them to open-air
9. Once the plants are established, move them to a more permanent plant container

How to Propagate Monstera Adansonii

This type of plant is incredibly easy to propagate via stem cuttings.  There are two methods for working through this process.  They are propagation in water and propagation in soil.  The steps are similar but do have some differing aspects.  Let us look at both methods in more detail.

Propagation in Water

1. Using a sterile cutting utensil, cut off a healthy stem that includes a leaf and a node
2. Set the stem in a container filled with water
3. Set the container in a place that gets bright but indirect sunlight
4. Change the water every other week
5. Once roots have been established on the stem, plant the stem in a container filled with potting soil that contains a mixture of perlite
6. Water the potting soil and keep it moist but not soggy
7. Set the plant in a warm spot with bright, indirect sunlight

Propagation in Soil

1. Using a sterile cutting utensil, cut off a healthy stem that includes a leaf and a node
2. Pull off any leaves that are near the bottom of the stem
3. Fill a plant container with potting soil and set the stem 2 to 3 inches into the soil
4. Moisten the soil with water
5. Set the plant in a warm spot with bright, indirect sunlight
6. Water the plant when the top inch of soil is dry
7. Shoots should appear on the plant after a few weeks

Note: It can be beneficial to put a plastic bag over the leaf-cutting for a few weeks to provide the plant with extra moisture as it is establishing a new root system.

Monstera Adansonii Growing Conditions

The natural environment of Monstera plants is the rainforests of South and Central America.  This means that they should be provided with a similar environment indoors and outdoors.

When caring for a Monstera plant that is kept indoors, provide it with temperatures that are at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels that are above 50%.  Plant humidifiers, pebble trays, and plant heat mats are three tools that can create this type of environment without making the indoors uncomfortable for people and animals living there.

Monstera plants that are kept outdoors should only be planted in the ground in USDA Hardiness Zones 10, 11, or 12; otherwise, they should be kept in a plant container that can be carried indoors during cold temperatures.

How to Plant Monstera Adansonii

It is a good idea to replant Monstera Adansonii every few years. This is a good chance to inspect its root system and cut off any rotten parts and provide the plant with fresh soil and more space to grow.  The steps for repotting a Monstera plant are:

1. Fill the new container with potting soil
2. Create a hole in the soil for the plant to set inside
3. Carefully remove the plant from its current container
4. Gently dust off any excess soil from its roots
5. Set the plant into the hole in the new container
6. Spread the soil around so that the plant is secure in its new container
7. Set a moss pole in its container so it can attach to it
8. Water the plant
9. Set it in a warm spot with indirect sunlight

Monstera Adansonii Potting & Soil

This plant should be given soil that has acidic or neutral pH levels. PH levels should be tested with a Soil pH Meter regularly and adjusted accordingly. The soil should also be able to hold some moisture but still drain off excess water. This homemade soil recipe is an excellent choice for any type of Monstera plant.

Monstera Adansonii Water Requirements

The best way to know when this type of plant needs water is to test the moisture level of its soil.  If the top two inches of its soil is dry, it can use a drink.  If, however, the top two inches are still moist, it does not need any more water.

Use the soak and dry method to ensure that the plant is not overwatered.  The steps for doing this are as follows:

1. Test the soil moisture level before giving it a drink.
2. If the plant needs a drink, fill a tray with a few inches of water.
3. Set the plant container in the tray of water.
4. Let the plant soak in the water for fifteen minutes.  The roots will soak up water from the bottom of the container.
5. Take the plant container out of the water.
6. Allow the excess water to drain from the holes in the bottom of the plant container.

Try using a plant watering app to track when a plant has been watered, set reminders to water it, and get answers to common plant care questions.

Monstera Adansonii Light Requirements

This plant should be set in a place that receives plenty of bright, but indirect sunlight. Test indoor light capacity with a light meter to ensure that this plant is receiving adequate amounts of sunlight.

Best Monstera Adansonii Fertilizer

This plant should not be fertilized until six months after it has been replanted. After six months, it can be fed each month with a diluted liquid fertilizer, such as this product by Purived or a homemade fertilizer tea.

Best Monstera Adansonii Companion Plantings

Companion plantings are a great way to create a garden space while providing the tropical plants with extra humidity. The following three plants are just a sampling of options that will look lovely next to a Monstera Adansonii plant.

Calathea Dottie

This is a strikingly beautiful tropical plant that is a very popular houseplant. Its gorgeous leaves are green, glossy, and highlighted with vibrant pink streaks. This plant really does stand out against any other houseplant.

Light Requirements

Calathea Dottie should be placed in an area that receives plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.

Soil Requirements

Calathea Dottie requires soil that is well-draining but still able to retain some moisture.

Water Requirements

Calathea Dottie should be watered every week or two when its soil begins to dry out. It should not be allowed to sit in dry soil or soggy soil.

Pros

• It is a beautiful and unique-looking plant
• It is easy to find and purchase online

Cons

• It is difficult to propagate
• It requires plenty of humidity
• It is susceptible to dehydration
• It is susceptible to root rot

Monstera Peru

This is a trailing vine plant that hails from the rainforests of South America.  Its leaves are large, dark green, and leathery.  It has an easy-going nature and care requirements that are unfussy.

Light Requirements

Monstera Peru should be set in a place that receives plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.

Soil Requirements

Monstera Peru requires soil that is well-draining and full of organic nutrients.

Water Requirements

Monstera Peru should only be watered when the top two inches of its soil is dry.  It should be watered in the soak and dry method.

Pros:

• It is hardy
• It is easy to learn how to care for and grow
• It is a beautiful plant to use as decoration

Cons:

• It is susceptible to infestations of fungus gnats, mealybugs, scale bugs, and spider mites
• It is susceptible to root rot
• It is toxic

Velvet Plant

This is an adorable and stunning tropical plant from the island of Java. It features leaves that are velvety and colored in emerald green and purple. It will start out small, but in a matter of weeks, it will grow into a lovely bush that is between one and two feet tall.

Light Requirements

Velvet Plant should be provided with direct sunlight in the morning. It should be shaded from direct sunlight in the afternoon when its leaves could get burnt. If it begins to look dry or burnt, it should be moved to a place that receives less direct sunlight.

Soil Requirements

Velvet Plant requires soil that is well-draining.

Water Requirements

The velvet Plant should be watered regularly and its soil should not be allowed to dry out. Also, its leaves should never be sprayed with water since this could cause a fungal infection.

Pros:

• It is a beautiful plant
• It is relatively easy to care for
• It shares some care requirements with Monstera Adansonii

Cons:

• It requires plenty of humidity
• It requires year-round fertilization
• It is susceptible to infestations of aphids, spider mites, and scale insects

Monstera Adansonii Diseases and Common Problems

These are the steps to treat the most common types of insect infestations faced by this plant:

Aphids

To deal with an infestation of aphids, follow these steps:

1. Spray the plant with a mixture of neem oil and soapy water
2. Wipe down the leaves of the plant
3. Apply neem oil to the leaves to prevent another infestation

Mealybugs

To deal with an infestation of mealybugs, follow these steps:

1. Spray a solution of alcohol and water on the leaves
2. Rub the leaves with a cotton ball
3. Coat the leaves in neem oil or insecticidal soap every few days

Scale Bugs

To deal with an infestation of scale bugs, follow these steps:

1. Spray them off with a hose
2. Wipe the remainder off with neem oil and a cloth
3. Prevent them from returning by coating the leaves with neem oil regularly

Spider Mites

To treat this type of infestation, follow these steps:

1. Fill a spray bottle with a quart of warm water, 1 tsp. of dish soap, and 2 tsp. Of neem oil
2. Spray and wipe the leaves and stems of the plant clean
3. Repeat as necessary

Where to Buy Monstera Adansonii Seeds Online

Purchase seeds for this plant online at Etsy.

Where to Buy Mature Monstera Adansonii Online

Etsy, Ed’s Plant Shop, and Woodies Garden Goods are all great places to shop for this plant online.

FAQs

Concluding Thoughts

Monstera Adansonii is an easygoing houseplant that is sure to complement any style.  It has unique features and a list of uncomplicated care requirements.  This is why anyone can and everyone should own a few of these plants.

Research Citations

Apartment Therapy

The Spruce

Garden for Indoor