Monstera vine
The common name of the well-known tropical houseplant Monstera Adansonii, also known as Swiss Cheese Vine, comes from how its leaves seem to have holes. Compared to its much simpler large relative, the Monstera Deliciosa, it is hardy and easy to grow, although there is a little learning curve in caring for it. To enable wind to flow through the plant in the wild without ripping it from the tree it has chosen to climb, Monstera Adansonii’s distinctive leaves create holes or windows (fenestrations), typical of vining plants. You never know what you’ll receive since every leaf contains many fenestrations. Growing this plant is a delight since each leaf is different and exciting to watch unfold. You may let Adansonii climb a board or pole or let it trail and hang. Its foliage has a vivid green hue.
Your plant will produce more giant leaves as it climbs if you let it do so. Like other Monstera, the Adansonii grows quickly and robustly, making it easy for novice plant gardeners to maintain; it may take some time to become proficient in taking care of this one and develop a stunning plant over time. This species of Monstera is a little more picky than its cousin, the Monstera Deliciosa.
Read on for care suggestions to expedite the learning curve.
Is your Adansonii a Wide or Narrow Form?
There are two main leaf variants for Monstera Adansonii: narrow and broad. This plant needs the same attention in both forms. When a plant reaches maturity, its differences become more noticeable, albeit they might be hard to perceive in young plants. In comparison to wide-form leaves, narrow-form leaves may have fewer fenestrations, and immature leaves may not have any fenestrations at all. The shape is much more lance-like and pointed on the thin form leaf.
The wide shape has a much more rounded curvature. Both varieties develop in the same way and need the same attention.
Is it better to hang or climb your Monstera Adansonii?
In the wild, Monstera adansonii is a vining plant that uses its aerial roots to locate a tree to climb. With each ascent, the vine will start to get more light, which will cause its leaves to grow more extensive and more significant. Giving your plant support, like as a trellis or pole, will encourage it to climb, but be careful—it’s crucial to monitor your plant whether you let it climb or let it trail. No matter what you want, it will do what it naturally does. Mine soon outgrew the trellis and, upon discovering the wall behind it, attached itself to the surface and started to climb it.
Monstera Adansonii Care
Native to Central and South America’s tropical jungles is the Monstera adansonii. It develops as an epiphyte there by nature; It grows around tree trunks and branches instead of in the ground by attaching itself to them. It may ascend higher towards the canopy with aerial roots to get more filtered sunlight.
This plant’s leaves have distinctive holes developed to catch as much light as possible from the dappled light environment. The perforations let light get through the top leaves, which helps the lower leaves that would not otherwise receive any light.
Nearly related to Monstera deliciosa is Monstera obliqua, a considerably rarer member of the family that is often confused with the Adansonii. Refresh your memory on plant care. See the Beginner’s Guide to Basic Houseplant Maintenance.
LIGHT
In the rainforest, Monstera adansonii receives filtered or dappled sunshine.
It can withstand light levels that are low to moderate. Although it can tolerate a little more shade, it could keep the leaves smaller and prevent them from developing the characteristic holes. Leggy vines with more excellent space between their leaves as they seek the sun may also set.
When placed inside, the ideal location for your Monstera adansonii is next to a window that lets in robust and indirect light.
WATERING
I water my 8″ Monstera adansonii plant when the soil mix is 1/2 to 3/4 of the way dry. That tends to occur every 7 – 9 days in the summer months and every 14 – 20 days when winter rolls around.
Find a happy middle. Keep your Swiss Cheese Vine cool and dry.
I can’t provide you with an accurate watering schedule. Depending on the pot size, kind of soil, growth area, and indoor climate, yours could need more or less irrigation than mine.
When you water, water till it flows out of the bottom of the pot, and eliminate any overflow from the saucer if it’s resting on one.
Don’t water yours too frequently (this will lead to root rot, and the plant will ultimately die), and ease off on the watering frequency in the winter when the light levels are less intense.
SOILING
As stated before. Swiss Cheese Vine plants usually have roots in the ground and in and on trees. Since fallen leaves and other plant residue make up most of this soil, it is likely rich but loose; if you ensure that your soil drains properly, everything should be OK. Avoid using soil mixes high in peat as they tend to compress. Any aroid-specific soil mix should be OK; I plant mine in potting soil, perlite, and worm castings.
TEMPERATURE
Your houseplants will feel at ease in your home if it is for you. It is warmer throughout the growth season and colder during the winter for this Monstera.
Keep it away from the air conditioner, heater vents, and chilly gusts. Here are a few other lovely species from the Araceae family: Monstera Deliciosa, Pothos EnJoy, Aglaonema Pink Valentine, African Mask Plant, and Philodendron Congo.
Humidity
The Monstera adansonii enjoys excessive humidity, much like any other tropical plant. Although they are native to low rainforest areas of South America, they thrive in the dampness of our homes. The small brown tips on the leaves indicate the dry air in our houses. I keep houseplants here in hot, dry Tucson, where the humidity is often around 25%. This one has them on parts of its leaves.
My kitchen sink is big and deep, with a water filter on the faucet. I bring it to the sink every few months, spray the leaves, and let it sit there for about an hour to get the humidity level down. Furthermore, it prevents dust from collecting on the leaves, impeding their breathing ability.
This humidity meter is located in my dining room. It is low-cost, effective, and functions well even after many years. When the humidity is low, which is frequently in the Arizona desert, I turn on my Canopy humidifiers! Here’s something more you might attempt. Add water and stones to the saucer if you believe its strained appearance is low humidity. Ensure the drainage holes and the pot’s bottom aren’t wet before placing the plant on the stones.
Another way is to mist the plant a few times a week. It’s been five years since I met this gentleman, and we’re still going strong. I am indicating a root node. They are visible both up and down the stems. From here, the roots sprout, facilitating quick and simple replication.
Fertilizer
Use ¼-diluted fish emulsion with iron or ¼-diluted complete liquid fertilizer twice a month since these houseplants adore fertilization throughout their active growth season. Another option is to use compost, such as worm castings, as a top dressing for your plants in the spring. Throughout the growth season, it will gradually deliver nutrients to the roots.
PRUNING
You’ll need it for yours! Pruning is necessary to train, propagate, or manage legginess in a Swiss Cheese Vine. Whether you tip prune or carry out more thorough pruning is up to you.
Mine is around five years old, as I update this post. I gave it a severe pruning since it was becoming lanky and unmanageable. Below is a video that demonstrates the procedure.
PROPAGATION
This Monstera plant is straightforward to multiply, much like the others. These jungle plants utilize the nodes or places where the roots originate, on their stems to attach their stems to other plants.
Prune a stem below an aerial root and leaf node to proliferate via stem cuttings. Verify that your pruners are sharp and clean. You may submerge them in water or a mild mixture for easy rooting.
To see the root’s activity, I prefer to multiply them in water. Seeds will emerge from the nodes within seven to ten days, indicating a rapid rooting process. It will be OK to plant them after about a month.
The division is a further means of Monstera adansonii propagation. I chopped off these lengthy branches from my plant. I took a little more cutting off the stems, and they are currently taking root in water.
Pests
To now, my Monsteras have not encountered any pests. Keep looking for Mealybugs, Scale, and Spider Mites since they might pose a threat.
Check these regions periodically since pests reside where the leaf meets the stem, on the stems, and below the leaves.
Since pests increase rapidly, acting as soon as you spot one is better. Because pests may spread quickly from one houseplant to another, it’s essential to take immediate action to eradicate them.
SUMMARY
The tropical houseplant Monstera Adansonii, often called Swiss Cheese Vine, is indigenous to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. In the wild, the plant’s characteristic leaves act as windows or holes (fenestrations) that let air pass through. Growing this plant is simple for inexperienced gardeners, but it may take some time to become adept. The two primary leaf variations are wide and narrow and need the same care. The plant is simple to manage, even for inexperienced gardeners, since it develops strongly and fast. The plant prefers filtered sunshine; therefore, being near a window is best for it. It’s best to water the plant when the soil mixture is between half and three-quarters dry and to water it until it flows out of the container.
Rich, loose soil with adequate drainage is ideal for the growth of Swiss cheese vines. Although they may survive in hot, dry circumstances, they prefer warm, dry weather. Use a water filter and spritz the plant often to keep it humid. The best fertilizer is compost, ¼-diluted full liquid, or fish emulsion with iron. Pruning is required for propagation, training, and legginess management. Cutting a stem below an aerial root and leaf node and splitting the plant are two ways to propagate the plant. Mealybugs, scale, and spider mites are among the pests that might be dangerous. Therefore, it’s critical to inspect these regions often. Removing pests as soon as possible is essential since they may spread fast.
