Monstera are popular and well-known green plants for larger spaces. They originally come from warm and humid regions and therefore like it warm in the home with increased humidity. They have the ability to clean the air of harmful substances and can even filter aquarium water with their aerial roots. The plant is called window leaf because the leaves are either slit in a fan shape or at least have larger holes. The most beautiful types are summarized here.
Monstera adansonii
Synonyms: Monkey Mask, Monkey Leaf, Monkey Mask
This pretty climber has completely green leaves with no bright markings. However, the leaves are not slit, but have holes that can look like a mask in their entirety. That explains the different synonyms. This houseplant does not grow quite as large as the delicious window leaf and is therefore also suitable for smaller rooms.
Photo by David J. Stang, Monstera adansonii 1zz, crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Location: grows best in semi-shade, shade is tolerated
Maintenance:
- water regularly, waterlogging is tolerated for a short time as well as drought
- fertilize once a month during the growing season
- Do not remove or injure aerial roots
- The location is warm all year round and the humidity is as high as possible
- Propagation via head cuttings
- robust against pests and diseases, but leaf spots if not cared for properly
- repot annually or replace the top layer of soil
Particularities: If the plant has to make do with shade, the leaves remain small and do not get holes despite good care and sufficient nutrient supply.
Monstera acuminata
In contrast to other Monstera species, this one remains much smaller, but it grows more branched and climbs faster. With the right climbing aid, it can quickly reach considerable heights. The leaves are no longer than 15 cm and taper towards the end. They are usually not slit, but get holes over time.
Location: The plant prefers partial shade, but full midday sun should be avoided
Maintenance:
- Water regularly, avoiding waterlogging, but also not letting it get too dry
- do not fertilize too much, use green plant fertilizer
- maintain at room temperature all year round
- Propagation via head cuttings
- Hardly any pests or diseases, dry air is poorly tolerated, leaf spots in the event of incorrect care
- Cut back regularly, the plant will then branch better
- Repot only if the pot is too small or the soil is exhausted
Monstera deliciosa
Synonym: delicious window leaf
This window leaf is probably the best-known type of Monstera, which is also widespread as a houseplant. Its leaves grow very large and an older plant has a very imposing and pretty appearance. If you want to take care of this window leaf for a long time, you should plan a lot of space right from the start. When young, the leaves are usually not yet split, this only happens when they get older and bigger.
The same is true of the flower. Older plants in good condition can develop a flower that resembles a large arum. After flowering, an infructescence with edible fruits is formed. This is one of the reasons why the Monstera is cultivated in its homeland.
Location: Partial shade is best, an unused, bright corner of the room is good
Size:
- Plant up to 7 m depending on room height
- Leaves up to 50 cm
Maintenance:
- Always keep soil moist but not wet
- increase humidity
- Wipe or spray the leaves from time to time so that the plant does not get dusty
- fertilize every two weeks with green plant fertilizer
- Do not remove or cut back aerial roots
- can be piped into fish tank or bucket of water to keep the plant hydrated when on vacation
- keep rather warm, not below room temperature
- Propagation by cuttings or seeds possible
- prone to spider mites or lice if too dry, otherwise robust
- Repot young plants annually, very difficult in later years, then only replace the top layer of soil
- Tie down shoots and guide them to climbing aids
Special feature: This monstera can also be grown outside in the summer.
Sorts:
'Borsigiana'
- most widespread
- Leaves rather narrow and remaining smaller
- less broken
- Plant grows slower overall, suitable for smaller spaces
'Salt & Pepper'
- variegated leaves like 'Variegata'
- Stains remain smaller, hence the name salt and pepper
'Marmorata'
- Synonym: 'Aurea'
- also variegated leaves
- pretty yellow instead of white spots
'Variegata'
Mokkie, Fruit Salad Plant (Monstera deliciosa 'Albo-Variegata'), crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Leaves variegated, d. H. they are green with white spots
- grows slower than other varieties
- is a little more sensitive
- more in need of warmth
- needs more light so that leaves do not lose their light color
Monstera obliqua
Synonym: Monstera expilata, Crooked Monstera
This green climber stays a little smaller than the delicious Monstera. However, like these, under good conditions it forms a flower that resembles a calla lily. However, this happens very rarely with indoor plants. The fruits that may appear after flowering are edible and their taste is reminiscent of pineapple. The large, completely green leaves are mostly perforated, rarely slit.
Mokkie, Window-Leaf Monstera (Monstera obliqua) 2, crop from Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Location: grows best in partial shade, tolerates shade but no blazing midday sun
Maintenance:
- keep moist but not wet, otherwise there is a risk of root rot
- Apply foliage plant fertilizer regularly during the growing season
- Location not below room temperature, cold is poorly tolerated
- Propagation via cuttings or parts of the plant
- hardly susceptible to pests or diseases, leaf spots indicate root rot
- Repot as needed if pot becomes too small
Notice: This houseplant doesn't like the cold of the ground, so you might want to insulate the pot against rising cold. Wood or styrofoam pads are suitable for this.