Monstera adansonii is a plant that I didn’t like at first, if I’m being honest.
In this post I’ll share why it won me over eventually and how I grew it into the beautiful, gorgeous Rapunzel-like beauty it is today.
Have you ever heard a song on the radio that you just didn’t like the sound of and then, after a few more times, something begins to shift and you start to understand what the hype is about?
You find yourself feeling the beat and dancing along. Before you know it, it might even become one of your favorite songs?
That’s kind of what Monstera adansonii was to me. I saw it in a local shop and was not impressed by the way it’s leaves hung or the holes it sported.
This was years ago… before it became more popular and more common.
Before the craze with Monstera obliqua.
Long before people talked about a variegated form of Monstera adansonii.
And way, way long before the variegated form of adansonii dropped in price to attainable levels.
Just like a song on the radio, I saw it enough times that it started growing on me. Pun intended.
I finally bought one and it didn’t grow significantly well.
The leaves always had spots. Many of the leaves would die off.
The vines were kinda long and spindly in their growth habit. It wasn’t what I envisioned or wanted.
I ditched that plant after it looked quite sad and thought I was done with it, forever.
But then, as I do with so many plants, I decided to try again.
This time I was a few more years into plant care and recovering from “I’m scared to overwater my plants” syndrome.
The mindset shift from worried-to-water to mindful-and-thorough-watering is what made all the difference and now Monstera adansonii is one of my favorite plants which I’ve been growing for years.
Monstera adansonii: Plant Care Tips
Monstera adansonii can be grown in a hanging basket or up a pole.
People who grow it up a pole will often do so to have the leaves size up.
I’ve chosen to grow mine where it trails between other plants, scandently, across a chest.
This has allowed the plant to maintain larger leaf size than when hanging without using a pole, which I don’t find attractive.
Expectations
I want to be honest that, even with my care tips, my M. adansonii’s leaves aren’t always perfect.
But, in general, they are pretty darn beautiful.
The leaves are not floppy or flimsy. They shimmer, look lush, trail beautifully, and respond well to pruning when they begin to get unruly in a way I don’t like.
Monstera adansonii takes up space in a way that I find artistic, elegant, powerful, and demonstrative.
It’s well worth the time and effort to grow.
Light
Monstera adansonii loves a good amount of light. It is not a shade-loving plant, in my experience.
Some direct sun will be very helpful to the health and vitality of the plant. As a Michigan grower, I think the plant would do great except in a fully exposed South-facing window where it would be blasted with sun all day.
And even then, maybe it could do fine if you kept up with watering. I haven’t tried it.
But don’t believe the label that it is low light. It’s not. It needs lots of light.
Watering
This baby does not want to dry out.
If you are giving the plant enough light, but you aren’t keeping up with watering, you are going to have a dull-looking plant.
It’s a thirsty rainforest plant. It doesn’t want to sit in a puddle, but it isn’t accustomed to being dry. It’s used to frequent, regular watering.
If the watering isn’t fairly consistent, that is when a lot of leaf spotting occurs.
The ideal circumstance is to check the moisture level frequently and then water the plant thoroughly as soon as the pot begins to dry.
Potting Mix and Planter
I don’t find Monstera adansonii to be picky about potting mix. Something that has some drainage should do just fine.
My preference at the moment is Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Soil (linked to Amazon*), which already has a light, airy texture thanks to the wonderful ingredients.
I only add extras when something needs a lot more drainage because it is prone to rot.
I would not add anything when potting up Monstera adansonii. I think it would be pleased with the mix, as is.
I prefer a plastic or ceramic planter for Monstera adansonii so it doesn’t dry out too fast.
I ensure the root ball is about one or two inches smaller than the pot that I choose, allowing room for it to grow without leaving too much space for moisture to linger and create rot.
*When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only recommend products I use and love. All proceeds go back to supporting this blog. Thanks for your support!
Fertilization
It likes regular fertilization. Any houseplant fertilizer will do. Just follow the instructions on the package.
My plant never stops growing, so I fertilize year-round.
Pests
I have had lots of different pests on my plant. These pests didn’t originate on the Monstera adansonii, but rather on plants near the Monstera adansonii.
I’ve had spider mites, thrips, and scale – that I can remember. They are never to an extent that I worry or need to get rid of the plant.
It just needs to be treated and managed and then they go away.
This is coming from someone with many, many plants who has thrips, spider mites, scale, mealybugs, white flies, and probably others that I’m forgetting pop up regularly.
Those plants that are true pest magnets or those plants that get taken down by pests, I will let you know. Monstera adansonii isn’t one of them.
Pruning
Yes! Do all the pruning for Monstera adansonii.
When it’s growing some leaves you aren’t a fan of, cut it back.
If it’s getting too lanky, cut it back.
If you want it to be more bushy or just different, cut it back.
This plant responds fantastically to pruning and that is the #1 reason why it is still in my collection.
If it weren’t for that, I would have gotten rid of it frankly.
I used to have a lot more ugly leaves with spotting and I would get close to ditching the plant. Instead, I pruned those vines way back and tried again.
After doing that a few times, I was patient with the plant and the plant was patient with me. That’s how we figured each other out. Now most of the leaves are gorgeous.
Where I Would Buy It Online
The Plant Chica is a wonderful shop on Etsy owned by a family based in California.
They have sent me picturesque plants in perfect condition all the way to Michigan.
At the time of writing this post, they have Monstera adansonii available… as well as many other gorgeous plants!
Check them out and support a small business while you are at it.
*When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. I only recommend products I use and love. All proceeds go back to supporting this blog. Thanks for your support!
Disclaimer
This advice may not work for every houseplant grower, but it works for me and my plants!
If you do something different that works better for you, share it in the comments below!
That’s how we learn and grow as a community.
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