Help! Picked up this guy- labeled as a Swiss cheese philodendron. But Iâm reading so many conflicting things- is it actually a monstera? Are they truly difficult to care for like planta claims or easy like everything else I read? Any and all tips very appreciated!
I have one like this! I keep it in my window seal at home and only water once a week or so! Mine is thriving! Yours is so pretty too! -Claire
itâs a monstera adansonii, possibly the laniata subspecies if itâs sparkly / shimmery underneath. i wouldnât say theyâre easy to care for but not difficult either. water when the soil is at least halfway dry to avoid overwatering or root rot, and transplant to a coarse, aerated mix like one intended for orchids or succulents when you feel is appropriate. i give mine extremely diluted fertilizer every watering and this helps support vigorous growth. i see you have the plant in a window, which is probably perfect as long as it doesnât get direct sun all day. they like high humidity, so may be difficult to grow in dryer areas like the western united states. the most important thing for a healthy adansonii is consistent environmental conditions. iâve noticed these plants hate change, so i would suggest not relocating it unless absolutely necessary.
0 Likes Thank you! Exactly the breakdown I was hoping for
1 Like no problem! i would also recommend rotating your plant and adding a stake or trellis behind it so it has something to lean on. they can be grown trailing/crawling but will have larger leaves and faster growth with a support. your monstera has a face, the leaf side, which should point towards the light source, and a back side with aerial roots or nubs, which should face the support. it may be helpful to find a video online for a more thorough, visual explanation.
2 Likes
Yes, this is Monstera adansonii. I wouldnât say itâs super difficult to care for, but it does need humidity elevated typically. I used to have one, and I kept it in a bathroom with a skylight. Unfortunately, it got a bit leggy because they typically need more light, but it did live. I had another one I kept semi-hydro in a shady location, and it seemed to be pretty healthy though it didnât grow much. I decided to give up on this plant and try again when I can grow it on a moss pole and have it grow gigantic leaves! Side note: this is why I prefer binomial nomenclature as opposed to common names because this is definitely not a philodendron. Very misleading sometimes!
2 Likes Very misleading! Recently bought a pothos also labeled as a philo and itâs so confusing for a newbie like me. Thanks for your responseâşď¸
0 Likes