How to Care for Monstera Adansonii

Native to Southern Mexico and Central America, Monstera Adansonii is loved for its bright and deep green heart-shaped foliage. Its famously perforated leaves, called fenestrations, are a unique adaptation that allows sunlight to pass through its broad canopy and reach the forest floor. Their distinctive patterns are genetically predetermined when each leaf unfurls, and over time they become more pronounced as the leaves grow larger and darker.

Caring for Monstera Adansonii is easy, but it can be particular about its watering needs. With easyplant, watering your Monstera Adansonii couldn't be simpler. Check the reservoir once a month and refill it when empty, and you're all set!

Monstera Adansonii grows best in a space with bright indirect light, where the sun's rays are diffused, and can also adapt to spaces with bright direct light, where sunlight shines directly indoors. Avoid placing it in spaces with low light or in areas without natural sunlight.

During your Monstera Adansonii's first few days at home, it may lose one or two leaves as it settles into its new environment. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Simply remove the affected leaf and look forward to healthy new growth. To encourage even, healthy growth, dust the leaves occasionally and rotate the pot by a quarter turn once a month. To maintain its preferred shape and height, you can prune it periodically as desired. If you'd like it to grow upwards rather than trail, secure the stems to a totem or moss pole and watch it climb.

Monstera Adansonii can grow up to 90 cm (3 ft) wide and climb up to 2.4 m (8 ft) tall with the support of a totem or moss pole. It can produce new leaves every few weeks, and over time the leaves become larger, darker, and develop even more of their signature fenestrations. Indoors, Monstera Adansonii has the potential to reach heights of 2.4 m (8 ft) and, thanks to its vining habit, can extend to around 4 m (13 ft) in length, growing by as much as 60 cm (2 ft) in a single growing season. With ideal growing conditions, these remarkable plants can reach maturity within 2–3 years.

Monstera Adansonii is a tropical plant and is not particularly tolerant of cold temperatures. It thrives in temperatures between 13-27°C (55-85°F), which closely match the conditions found in most homes. To keep your Monstera healthy and thriving, avoid allowing temperatures to fall below 10°C (50°F), as it cannot tolerate colder conditions.

For best results, maintain humidity at around 60% or higher. The soil should be slightly damp when watered, which is typically about once a week. If your home is particularly dry, consider using a humidifier to increase moisture levels. Placing your plant near a pebble tray, in a humid bathroom or kitchen, or grouping it with other houseplants can also help raise the surrounding humidity.

If ingested, Monstera Adansonii may be moderately toxic, so keep it out of reach of curious children and pets. While the calcium oxalate crystals found throughout the plant are not generally life-threatening, they are present in the stems, leaves, and roots. To avoid unnecessary discomfort or health concerns, watch for symptoms and seek medical advice if needed.

In humans, ingestion of Monstera Adansonii can cause oral irritation, pain, swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Dogs and cats may experience similar symptoms, including excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing food or treats, pawing at the mouth due to discomfort, a burning sensation in the mouth, and obvious irritation.

If you notice the leaves turning yellow or the edges becoming scorched or brown, move the pot to a brighter location. If the leaves become droopy, move the pot to a slightly less brightly lit area.

If your plant's leaves begin to curl, it is usually a sign that it is not receiving enough water or humidity. Occasionally, however, curling may also be caused by overwatering, disease-carrying pests, or excessive heat.

Too much water can seriously damage your Monstera Adansonii. If you notice dark brown spots on the lower leaves or the stems become soft and mushy, these may be signs of root rot. Remove any affected stems and review your watering routine, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Using well-draining compost and a pot with adequate drainage holes will help prevent water from collecting around the roots and causing rot.