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An illustration of a Monstera Adansoni plant with multiple green leaves featuring characteristic holes, set against a light green background, conveying a fresh, natural vibe.

Monstera Adansonii

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Monstera Adansonii

KNOWN AS: Swiss Cheese Vine, Monkey Mask

CLIMATE (LOCATION): Central America | Tropical 

DESCRIPTION: This plant is a small cousin of the Monstera deliciosa. It has leaves with many holes, which is why it is also called the Swiss Cheese Vine. Like its cousin, this plant is a natural climber, but it can also cascade over the side of its container if you want it to. This would be perfect for a high shelf or hanging planter.

Easy difficulty & pet toxic

Monstera Adansonii Plant Care

Lighting

Light Requirement: High Light (Bright Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

Monstera adansonii plants prefer bright, indirect light for optimal growth. In general, it's best to place your Monstera adansonii in a spot with bright, filtered light, such as near an east or west facing window or a few feet away from a bright. If the plant is not getting enough light, its leaves may start to look pale or droopy, while too much light can cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown.

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Watering

Quick Tip: Water until water comes out of drainage holes. Allow top 2 inches of soil to completely dry between waterings.

The Swiss cheese plant, Monstera adansonii, prefers to be kept evenly moist but not soggy. When the top inch of soil seems dry to the touch, water the plant with room temperature water. Deeply water the plant and let any extra water drain from the pot's bottom. It's crucial not to allow the plant to stand in water that is still because this can lead to root rot. Reduce watering over the winter, but don't let the soil get completely dry. Because Monstera adansonii prefers a little bit more humidity, spraying the leaves or using a humidifier can support the plant's growth. Your Monstera adansonii will develop and stay healthy if you maintain continuously moist but well-draining soil and provide proper humidity levels.

Temperature

Preferred Temperature: 60º - 80º

The best temperature for Monstera adansonii plants is between 60°F and 80°F (16°C and 27°C). They don't like sudden changes in temperature, so keep them away from drafts and air conditioning or heating vents. It's also important to keep the temperature stable, since changes can stress the plant and hurt it. When it's cold, the plant may not grow as much or its leaves may turn yellow. When it's warm, the leaves may droop or curl. Keeping the temperature within the ideal range can help plants grow well and have healthy leaves.

Humidity

Preferred Humidity: 50 - 60%; Moderate Humidity

Monstera adansonii is a tropical plant, so it does best when it is warm and humid. To keep your plant happy and healthy, the humidity should be between 60 and 80%. Putting your Monstera adansonii in a room with a humidifier is one of the best ways to make the air more moist for it. If you don't have a humidifier, you can also regularly mist your plant with water or put a tray of water near the plant to add moisture to the air. Grouping your plants together is another option, as this can create a microclimate with more humidity. It's also important not to give your Monstera adansonii too much water, as this can cause root rot and other problems. Instead, you should try to water your plant when the top inch of soil feels dry. Lastly, keep your Monstera adansonii in a well-ventilated area. Mold and other problems can happen when air stays in one place for too long.

Additional Plant Care

Propagation
Monstera adansonii can be spread by cuttings from its stems. Cut just below a node on a healthy stem with several leaves. Take off the cutting's lower leaves, leaving only a few at the top. Put the cutting in a jar of water or right into a pot with potting mix that drains well. Keep the soil damp and give the cutting bright, indirect light until it grows roots and new leaves. Once the plant has roots, you can move it to a bigger pot and treat it like a full-grown plant. Monstera adansonii can die if it gets too much water, so it's important to let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. As the plant grows, it's also important to give it support, since Monstera adansonii can get heavy at the top and may need to be staked or trained onto a trellis.
Toxicity
Monsterra adansonii contains low levels of calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation or discomfort if chewed or ingested. These crystals, found throughout the plant, can potentially cause mouth and throat irritation, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset if injested, especially by smaller animals such as dogs and cats. It is recommended to avoid this plant if you have small children or any pets. If you have specific concerns about Monstera adansonii, or believe a person or pet has been exposed to a potentially toxic substance, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional or contact a poison control center for accurate and immediate assistance.
Repotting
Monstera adansonii plants like soil that drains well, so it is important to choose a pot with holes in it. When repotting, carefully take the plant out of its old pot and separate any roots that are tangled. Make potting soil by mixing peat moss, perlite, and coarse sand in equal amounts. Put a layer of the potting mix in the bottom of the new pot, add the plant, and then use the rest of the potting mix to fill in the spaces. Leave about an inch of space at the top of the pot so water doesn't spill out. After repotting the plant, give it a lot of water and put it in a place with bright, indirect light to help it get better.
Pruning
For Monstera adansonii plants, the best way to prune is to cut back any stems that have grown too long or floppy, as well as any leaves that have turned yellow or brown. This will help the plant grow in a more compact way and get it to send out new shoots. When pruning, make clean cuts just above a healthy leaf node with clean, sharp pruning shears. This will help the plant grow in a fuller way and keep it from getting hurt. Monstera adansonii plants also need to be repotted and fertilized from time to time to stay healthy and strong. You can prune the plant whenever you need to, but don't prune it in the winter when the plant is sleeping. Monstera adansonii plants can grow well and keep making their unique and beautiful leaves if they are pruned and cared for properly.
Fertilizing
For healthy growth and beautiful leaves, Monstera adansonii plants need to be fertilized regularly. The best time to feed your Monstera adansonii is when it is growing, which is usually between spring and summer. You can use a balanced fertilizer with equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or you can use a fertilizer made especially for foliage plants. Follow the instructions on the package to mix the fertilizer with water and then spread it on the soil once a month. Be careful not to give your Monstera adansonii too much fertilizer, as this can burn the roots and hurt the plant. Also, you shouldn't fertilize your plant in the winter, when growth is slow.
Soil
Monstera adansonii plants do best in potting soil that drains well and holds water without getting soggy. A good soil mix for these plants should have a mix of peat moss, perlite, and either orchid bark or charcoal to give the plants the nutrients they need and let water drain away. Organic fertilizers can also be sprinkled on top of these plants from time to time to help them grow well and have lush leaves. It's important to avoid using heavy, dense soils that can cause root rot and soils that hold too much water, which can lead to fungal growth and other problems.

Hanging Heights

Monstera Adansonii Lighting Requirements: High Light (Bright Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

Chart showing recommended hanging heights for Soltech Aspect and popular plants for each range.

Aspect Hanging Heights - Monstera Adansonii

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Soltech's Recommendation -

24" to 36"

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VIEW ASPECT GROW GUIDE

Vita Hanging Heights - Monstera Adansonii

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Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Vita : 24" to 36"

60º Wide Beam Vita : 12" to 24"

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VIEW VITA GROW GUIDE

Highland Hanging Heights - Monstera Adansonii

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Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Highland : 30" to 42"

60º Wide Beam Highland : 18" to 30"

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VIEW HIGHLAND GROW GUIDE

Grove Hanging Heights - Monstera Adansonii

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Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 1" to 24"

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VIEW GROVE GROW GUIDE

Lighting guide for plants with Soltech Aura and potted plants on a neutral background

Aura Light Distances - Monstera Adansonii

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Soltech's Recommendation:

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VIEW AURA GROW GUIDE

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