Monstera adansonii are a popular houseplant for their quick growth habit, fenestrated leaves and versatility in being either a climbing or trailing plant in the home. They are also very easy to propagate and share with your plant loving friends!
Read on for Monstera adansonii care tips and propagation advice.
The distinct fenestrated leaves of Monstera adansonii. Image by Huy Phan via Unsplash
Native habitat of Monstera adansonii
Monstera adansonii are native to the jungles of Central and South America. In the lower levels of the jungle they creep along the floor until they find another plant for support, at which point they climb up the other plant forming aerial roots and eventually losing connection to the original roots in the soil.
Otherwise known as the Monkey Mask plant, it is a close relative of the Monstera deliciosa or Swiss Cheese plant; both being Aroids, members of the Aracea family. Unlike the Swiss cheese plant, the Adansonii’s leaves are thinner, more delicate and have more of a ruffle to them.
Light requirements of Monstera adansonii
As their native habitat suggests, Monstera adansonii are best suited to indirect light situations emulating the jungle floor environment where they would receive only dappled light, shaded by the trees above. The leaves are fairly delicate and can burn easily if exposed to direct light. Close to an East or West facing window is ideal. Adansonii will also be happy in the bright environment of a south facing room, as long as you can avoid direct light on the plant, perhaps with filtering blind or far enough back from the window to be out of direct sun's reach.
The trailing habit of Monstera adansonii. Image by Fadime Erbass via Pexels
Water
Monstera adansonii are pretty thirsty plants, naturally they would be living on the damp jungle floor so they like to have damp but not sodden soil at their roots. They won’t like to dry out completely, but can be watered when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch.
Humidity
Being jungle plants, Monstera adansonii thrive in a humid environment of around 50% humidity. But they are well adapted to average household environments. A bathroom can provide a great source of humidity for the Monkey Mask plant.
Soil mix for Monstera adansonii
Adansonii plants will thrive in a soil that is free draining but also able to retain moisture. Too loose and airy and the plant will dry out very quickly and won’t hang on to its vital feed nutrients. A mix of roughly 60% houseplant compost with roughly 40% coir, orchid bark or perlite will do nicely. We also recommend Soil Ninja’s Monstera mix.
Feeding Monstera adansonii
This is a vital aspect to ensuring your Monstera Adansonii thrives. They are hungry plants that need feeding regularly. In the summer months you can feed at every watering, many people halve the recommended dilution when feeding this regularly. In the winter reduce the feed to every 2-3 months. If you notice the plants leaves are readily turning yellow it is a good indicator that more feed is required. We love Liquid Gold Leaf.
Repotting Monstera adansonii
Monstera Adansonii are quick growers and like to climb, it is best therefore to repot when the roots are escaping out of the bottom of the pot. Repotting is a good time to introduce a moss pole or plant stake for the plant to grow up. When repotting it is best to size up by just a few centimetres to avoid a major change for the plant's root system.
Propagation
Monkey mask plants are easy to propagate with a stem cutting. Here are some simple steps to propagate your Monstera adansonii...
Step 1: Make sure you have a healthy plant to take cuttings from.
Step 2: Cut the stem with a clean knife or snips one to two centimeters under a node (a bump along the stem where a new leaf grows from)
Step 3: Pop the cutting in clean water, damp sphagnum moss or perlite to root within a few weeks. If rooting in water, change the water every week to keep it fresh.
Step 4: Once roots are a couple of centimetres long and ideally have secondary roots growing from initial roots then it is ready to plant into the recommended soil above.
Water propagated Monstera adansonii
Toxicity
Monstera adansonii are toxic to pets as they contain calcium oxalate crystals. While not necessarily deadly, they will be a nasty irritant if consumed.
Common problems with Monstera adansonii
Yellowing leaves can be a common occurrence with monkey mask plants, and may be due to overwatering, under watering or under-feeding. In order to diagnose which might be causing it, consider the dampness of the soil, how long it has been since you last watered and last fed.
Blackening or scorched leaves can be due to exposure to direct sunlight. Browning leaf tips can be due to lack of humidity.