Plant Journal: Monstera adansonii (Adanson’s Monstera)

Hello, I’m Adanson’s Monstera. Everyone says my leaves look like Swiss cheese. When I’m happy, they shimmer with a pearly shine. I love life!

Scientific name: Monstera adansonii
Common name: Adanson’s Monstera
Other names: Swiss cheese plant, Swiss cheese vine, Monkey Mask, Five holes plant, Adanson’s monstera
Family: Araceae (arum family)

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Description

Adanson’s Monstera is a popular climbing plant from the Monstera genus. Compared to its even more famous cousin, the Swiss Cheese Monstera (Monstera deliciosa), this houseplant stays smaller and has more delicate, elongated heart-shaped leaves. Its characteristic fenestration (leaf perforations) gives it its iconic “Swiss cheese” appearance. One of the best-known cultivars is ‘Monkey Mask’.

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Care

☀️ Light:
Adanson’s Monstera thrives in bright, indirect light. It can tolerate lower light, but leaves may be smaller and less perforated. It grows well on a north- or east-facing windowsill, and also does fine in a bright south- or west-facing room–just protect it from direct sunlight. I grow my ‘Monkey Mask’ on a south-facing windowsill, partially shaded for most of the day, especially in summer. In such a bright spot, my plant grows nearly constantly, but it also needs more frequent watering.

💧 Water & Fertilizer:
This perforated beauty needs regular, even watering. Frequency depends on the plant’s size, location, season, and soil drainage. For monsteras, less is more: don’t water until the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry. During the growing season, feed Adanson’s Monstera roughly every two weeks with fertilizer formulated for monsteras–or any general houseplant fertilizer works too.

🌿 Specifics:
Drooping or yellowing leaves usually indicate watering issues, which can also be influenced by inappropriate soil or pot size. Leaves with few perforations may mean the plant isn’t getting enough light. While ‘Monkey Mask’ can grow in a hanging pot, it usually prefers climbing upwards on a support.

🌷 Propagation:
Easily propagated in water using cuttings–best in spring.

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Things to Watch For

Pests:
Like other houseplants, monitor your Monstera regularly for pests and clean the leaves. From experience, Monstera deliciosa is prone to spider mites, so even the younger Adanson’s Monstera deserves attention.

Toxicity:
Monsteras are toxic to humans and pets, like other members of the arum family. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals in its leaves, stems, and roots, which can cause irritation of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract if ingested.

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Origin

Adanson’s Monstera hails from Central and South America, where it grows as a climbing vine in tropical rainforests.

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Do you grow monsteras? What are your favorite tips and tricks? 😊🪴🌳