Adansonii Plant Care: Tips and Tricks for Growing These Unique Houseplants
Monstera Adansonii
The Adansonii plant, also known as the Swiss Cheese Vine, is a unique and conversation-starting houseplant that has two distinct forms: the "Wide" form and the "Narrow" form. These plants originate from the warm, humid rainforests of Mexico, where they grow up the trunks of trees, using their aerial roots to absorb water and nutrients from the air and surrounding moss. With each new leaf, the Adansonii develops fenestrations, which allow strong winds and rain to pass through their leaves, minimizing the surface area for damage.
Despite their advanced look, Adansonii plants are forgiving and a great option for apartment living. However, they do require specific care to thrive. Here are some tips and tricks for growing healthy and beautiful Adansonii plants.
Monstera Adansonii Care:
Lighting:
Adansonii plants require bright, indirect lighting or bright, filtered lighting. While they can handle lower light conditions for short periods of time, prolonged periods of low light can cause stress, slowing their growth and causing new leaves to become thin and warped.
Water:
It's best to keep the soil of Adansonii plants moist but not soggy. Generally, a weekly watering will suffice. Avoid letting the roots stand in water for too long, as they don't like "wet feet." If the plant does dry out for too long, it may temporarily stunt its growth.
Soil:
Adansonii plants prefer chunky soil that retains moisture but drains quickly. An Aroid mix is a great option. Be sure to keep the soil moist, but not soggy, as these plants don't do well when the soil dries out. A mix of coco coir chunks, ground coco coir, and perlite is a great option.
Fertilizer:
Choose a high-quality, balanced, water-soluble fertilizer that you can use in every watering. This will help the plant take off and grow larger, especially during its growing season.
Temperature:
Adansonii plants prefer an average room temperature around 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below 65 degrees, the plant may become stressed, and its leaves may turn yellow.
Humidity:
These plants thrive in higher humidity, around 50-80%. This helps prevent the leaf tips from browning and protects the aerial roots from drying out. If your climate is dry, misting the plant 1-2 times a day will help it feel at home.
Containers:
Adansonii plants can grow in containers made from any material, as long as they have drainage holes at the bottom. If your container doesn't have drainage holes, you can drill one at home. While these plants can handle being root-bound for short periods, it's best to repot them at least once a year. When repotting, always size up one size each time to ensure proper root health and growth development.
Common Pests:
The most common pests that can affect Adansonii plants are spider mites, fungus gnats, thrips, scale, and mealybugs. A great way to keep pests under control is to do a weekly leaf inspection using diluted neem oil on a paper towel. Wipe down the front and back of the leaves to help prevent or treat any pests on your plant.
Troubleshooting:
Yellowing leaves are a sign of overwatering and/or insufficient nutrients. Check the soil to make sure it isn't too wet, and fertilize more frequently. Browning leaves are a sign of too much sun exposure. These plants require bright, indirect light or bright, filtered lighting. Try moving the plant to another location in your home or hanging it in a plant hanger.