Last Updated on November 18, 2021 by Sophie
If you already have a Monstera Deliciosa in your collection, then another Monstera you will likely love is that of the Monstera Adansonii, which is also sometimes referred to as ‘Philodendron monkey mask ‘, and the ‘Swiss Cheese Plant,’ (though the latter name is often used for Monstera Deliciosa as well). Here’s a complete Monstera Adansonii care guide, including watering tips, propagation advice, and what kind of soil the Monstera should be planted in.
Due to its medium-sized heart shaped leaves (with holes which are often referred to as ‘fenestrations’,) the Monstera Adansonii is an attractive easy to grow house plant you’ll love to add to your indoor plant collection.
Please note that all parts of the Monstera Adansonii are toxic to humans and pets. The plant contains oxalate crystals which are an irritant and should be kept out of reach of children and animals.
Please note that Monstera Adansonii plants are often mis-sold as a Monstera Obliqua, though they are not at all the same plant. While the Monstera Obliqua remains quite rare in private collections (with an eye-wateringly high price to match), the Monstera Adansonii can be found pretty readily at houseplant sales and garden centres for indoor plants.
If you are looking for a particularly unusual plant, then you might consider purchasing a variegated Monstera Adansonii. These plants typically have sections of yellow or white variegation and are pretty unusual. You should note that variegated plant varieties typically need more light than their full green counterparts and also grow at a slightly slower rate.
Contents
Monstera Adansonii Plant Care & Watering Guide
Watering your Monstera Adansonii
One of the main causes of death in houseplants is due to overwatering, which then causes root rot, from which point there is little chance that the green plant will recover. In order to ensure that my plants receive adequate water but don’t end up too watered, I implement the soak and leave method.
That is to say, I fully saturate my plant before leaving it to dry out completely before watering it again. One of the easiest ways to determine that the plant needs watering again is by testing the top inch or so of soil. If it’s dry, then it’s typically time to dry again. In smaller plants, you can simply pick up the plant and you’ll soon be able to judge by its weight whether the plant needs a soak or not.
Best soil conditions for the Adansonii Monstera
While there is no prescribed mix, the substrate should be a good blend of organic material with easy-draining things such as pumice. I personally purchase a houseplant specific mix at my local gardening store, though you can always create a soil blend of your own. I typically recommend the same kind of blend of soil as that you would use in similar plants, such as the Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma.
Best light conditions for your Monstera Adansonii
Like many houseplants, this leafy plant enjoys bright, indirect sunlight, though will grow just as well in lower light conditions. If the Monstera plant grows in too much direct sunlight, then the leaves can easily become burnt and will soon lose their dark glossy look. Conversely, if the plant is grown in too little light, then the plant will grow slowly and will not thrive at all!
Providing a stake/ Moss pole
One of the most important things to know about the Swiss Cheese plant is that it simply loves to climb! As a result, be sure to provide the plant a moss pole to grow up when the plant is large enough. Moss poles work best when they are kept moist on a regular basis. As such, spraying your moss pole with water will greatly aid in helping the plant stay nice and healthy.
How to propagate the Swiss Cheese Plant
The hole leaf plant really is one of the easiest aroids to propagate and, once you get the hang of propagation, you’ll soon discover that the plant propagates much more easily than other varieties of aroid, and even faster than certain other Monstera types.
The best way to propagate Adansonii plant is via stem cuttings. Simply cut the plant with a section that includes one, and preferably two, nodes. Then place in water and wait for several weeks, and sometimes over a month, for roots to form.
The best time to propagate the plant is in the spring or the summer when the plant is already ready to grow. If you attempt to propagate during the colder months of the year, then you’ll soon discover that the plant will propagate and form new roots at a much slower rate.
When the roots have grown in the water to a few inches long, pot up the Monstera rooted cutting in well-draining potting mix and you’ll have a brand new plant addition to your home, or alternatively a fantastic gift for another plant lover in your life.
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