Monstera Adansonii
The smaller, holey monstera that vines rather than towers, with leaves full of oval windows from the start. Fast, easy and forgiving, and it looks spectacular trailing from a shelf or climbing a pole.
Adansonii gives you the monstera look at a quarter of the size. The leaves are holey from the first one, the vines grow fast, and it is perfectly happy trailing from a basket or climbing a pole, where the leaves get bigger and more perforated.
There are narrow and wide forms; both are easy. The variegated ones are collector plants with the same care.
Light
Bright indirect light for the biggest, holiest leaves. It tolerates medium light with smaller leaves and fewer holes. Direct sun scorches it.
Water
Water when the top inch or two is dry, every six days or so in summer and every twelve in winter. It droops when thirsty and perks up fast. Yellow lower leaves mean too much water.
Soil and potting
A chunky aroid mix. It grows fast; repot every eighteen months. A moss pole or trellis turns a trailing plant into a climbing one with much larger leaves.
Feeding
A half-strength balanced feed monthly in spring and summer.
Propagation
Node cuttings root in water within a couple of weeks. Plant several back into the pot for a fuller plant.
In a hot, dry home
It prefers humidity above forty-five percent but copes better than the big monstera. Group it with other plants and keep it away from vents; crispy edges tell you the air is too dry.
Monstera Adansonii varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Adansonii (Swiss cheese vine)
The standard holey trailing monstera.
- Adansonii Variegated
White-sectored form. Rare.
- Peru (karstenianum)
Thick, puckered, unsplit dark leaves on a climbing vine. Same care.
- Siltepecana
Silver-blue lance-shaped juvenile leaves that split when mature. Same care.
- Standleyana Albo
Narrow, unsplit leaves streaked with white. Climbing.
- Dubia
A shingling monstera that grows flat against a board, silver-patterned when young.
- Burle Marx Flame
Deeply cut, flame-shaped leaves. Rare.
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Rhaphidophora tetrasperma, a different genus that looks like a small monstera. Has its own profile.
Full profile
Problems and fixes
Small leaves with few holes
Likely cause: Not enough light, or no support
Fix: Brighter light and a pole to climb.
Yellow lower leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering
Fix: Let the top two inches dry.
Crispy edges
Likely cause: Low humidity
Fix: Group with other plants; raise humidity.
Monstera Adansonii questions
Is Monstera adansonii toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Calcium oxalate crystals irritate the mouth. Hang it out of reach.
Should I let my adansonii trail or climb?
Either works. Climbing a pole produces larger, more perforated leaves; trailing keeps them smaller and denser.
How fast does Monstera adansonii grow?
Fast in bright light and warmth: a foot or more of vine in a summer.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Mini Monstera
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Toxic
