Monstera Adansonii
Botanical Name: Monstera Adansonii
Common Name: Swiss Cheese Plant, Five Holes Plant
Family: Araceae
About Monstera Adansonii
Native to parts of Central and South America, this vining plant grows along the jungle floor and up trees in its natural habitat. The leaves on this vine are usually deep green with a velvety sheen, between 8” – 12” long, and have many fenestrations (the small holes that make it look like swiss cheese). While it looks somewhat similar to its cousin, Monstera Deliciosa, it won’t grow nearly as large. The fenestrations on the Monstera Adansonii are also a bit different; never fully splitting, but rather creating more smaller holes within the leaf as the plant matures. These plants love to vine along a moss pole or trellis indoors. Giving the plant support will also produce larger leaves.
Light
It is best to mimic its natural habitat, in a jungle-like setting this plant would get bright to medium indirect light. It will do best indoors provided the same bright indirect light, for example right in front of a southern window with sheer curtains or a few feet back from a window that receives direct sun, just outside the reach of the sunrays.
Avoid any direct sunlight as this can cause the leaves to burn. If you notice brown or black spots and droopy leaves it may be a sign of sunburn.
Water
Monstera Adansonii prefers to stay slightly moist. This means allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry between waterings. Just make sure you don’t allow the rootball to completely dry out. On the opposite end, these plants also don’t like to sit in wet soil, so make sure to provide a potting medium with good drainage.
I have noticed a telltale sign this plant needs water is its droopy leaves. So if you notice the leaves are drooping on your plant, check the soil to see if the problem is too little water or too much water.
Humidity & Temperature
Coming from a rainforest environment they love humidity. Aim to keep humidity levels at or above 50% for this plant to thrive. Signs the humidity is too low include brown leaf tips and curling leaves. A pebble tray with water directly under the plant or a humidifier can mitigate low humidity indoors.
Temperature-wise these plants prefer 65 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit. So they will do perfectly with regular indoor temperatures. They can also withstand short cold spells down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (it is worth mentioning low temperatures can cause stunted growth).
Toxicity
Moderately toxic to pets, causing oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulties swallowing. The plant is also mildly toxic to humans if ingested. If you have pets or young children that may be intrigued by the leaves, it is best to place it somewhere safe and out of reach.
Tips
As a naturally vining plant, it prefers to climb. Given the option and support to climb it will produce larger leaves with more fenestrations.
In my personal experience, they seem to prefer to be slightly snug in their pot. So don’t repot them immediately unless you notice a decline in your plant.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Monstera Adansonii needs water?
The first sign to look out for is drooping leaves. Also, watch for soil pulling from the edges of the pot and brown or yellowing leaves with crispy edges. If you notice any of these signs do a quick knuckle test to see if the top few inches of soil are dry. A moisture meter is a great tool to tell you precisely if and when to water your plants, I highly recommend every plant lover have one.
Why are my Monstera Adansonii leaves drooping?
Drooping leaves are commonly a sign of over or under-watering. If the drooping leaves are also curling and have crispy edges, it is most likely due to the plant being under-watered. If the leaves are drooping and yellowing, check the soil moisture and make sure you are not overwatering your Monstera. If the watering doesn’t seem to be the issue, your plant may be receiving too little light.
Do Monstera Adansonii grow fast?
Given the right humidity and light conditions, these plants will grow very fast. In my personal experience, they can grow multiple feet in one growing season. If you want your Monstera Adansonii to grow faster (and produce larger leaves) it’s important to provide it with a moss pole or another kind of trellis to climb. I used bamboo sticks to make a trellis for my Monstera and she seems to love it, rewarding me with larger leaves with more fenestrations!
How to propagate Monstera Adansonii?
This plant is fairly easy to propagate. Just cut right below a node and place cuttings in water or moist soil to root. Within a few weeks, you should notice root systems forming and new growth sprouting from you cutting. When they are ready remember to plant multiple stems in one pot for a bushy plant.
