Monstera epipremnoides is a rare plant and is also known as Monstera Esqueleto. It has large leaves with oval-shaped holes.
This is why it is also called Swiss cheese plants. Because swiss cheese also has holes like the Monstera epipremnoides.
Read this Monstera epipremnoides care guide and grow beautiful monstera plants in containers.
In this article, I will explain the growing needs of this plant with its common growing problems and their solutions.
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Monstera epipremnoides Description
Monstera epipremnoides is a flowering plant of the Araceae family. Like its other family plants, it also needs a few hours of direct sunlight.
According to the University of Minnesota, there are 15 popular species of monstera plants.
Monstera Adans is the scientific name of the Epipremnoides plant.
The plant has heart-shaped long leaves (13 to 20 inches) with a spread of 10 inches. All the plant leaves have oval shape holes.
This makes it a rare plant and this is the reason it is costly in some parts of the USA.
It also produces flowers but they are not eye-catching flowers. The real beauty of the epipremnoides plant is its leaves.
For easy propagation, it produces roots above the soil level. You can cut these roots and use them for propagation.
Monstera epipremnoides Care
Below is the part that has all the growing and caring information about the Monstera epipremnoides.
Follow the steps and have happy epipremnoides at home.
Sunlight
Normally the plant does not like direct sun rays. But for the perfect Variegation, you need to help the Epipremnoides plant.
By putting it in direct sunlight for 60 minutes in the morning time.
After that move it back to the shady place. If you don’t like to move the plant pots, find a place where Monstera epipremnoides can get indirect but bright light.
This can be a sunny window but you have to protect it from direct sun rays.
So, you can put it a minimum of 2 feet away from the sunny window. This way your plant can get sufficient filtered light.
Let’s say you do not want your plant to grow near the window. Then you can take the help of grow lights. Buy 100 watts LED grow light.
A branded grow light will cost you between $51 to $89 depending on the extra accessories.
Install it above the plant and grow it in any part of the house.
Note: Only go for LED growing technology. Because it is safe, easy to use, required less maintenance, and consumes less power.
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Soil
For proper Monstera epipremnoides care grow it in fast-draining and well-aerated soil. The roots of the plant need good airflow and enough room to spread.
The first thing you need is good quality potting mix. They add some extra materials to it to make it suitable for the Monstera epipremnoides.
In your mix add equal amounts of Perlite and coco coir. Also, add pine bark twice the quantity of perlite or coco coir. It will make the potting soil fluffy.
If possible, choose potting soil that has some kind of organic material in it. This will help the plant to grow fast. And also reduce the need for fertilizers.
Water
Water the Monstera epipremnoides when 75 % of the water gets absorbed by the plant. In simple words water your plants only once in 7 days regardless of the season of the year.
Because you are growing this plant indoors. Our home temperature is in the ideal range for 365 days. Therefore, it needs the same amount of water in summer and winter.
The quality of water surely affects the growth of the plant. Use filtered water only. Do not use tap water, it may contain fluoride. Which is not a good substance for growing houseplants.
The best water for plants is rainwater. You need to collect it in rain barrels on rainy days. To use it once the rainy season is over.
Temperature
As I already said our home temperature is best for Monstera epipremnoides care. But still, the plants have their own comfortable temperature ranges.
55 to 80 Degrees F is the best temperature range for monstera Esqueleto plants.
In winter, do not put it near the heating vents to give it the warmth that it needs. Hot airflow is not good for plant leaves. This will fade the bright color of the leaves.
Also increases the frequency of water applications.
And extra water is not good for the plant because it can cause root rot.
Humidity
60% or above humidity is necessary for the Monstera epipremnoides care and growth. In low humidity, the plant will not produce flowers.
Also, the leaves will not grow large in size. Your plant will look weak and unhealthy.
Check your home humidity if it is good then no need to worry.
But in case it is not in the right range. Use a humidifier to boost the air moisture in the plant room.
Or
use the pebble tray technique. You can also group the plants together on low-humid days.
Fertilizer
First of all, it does not need a high dosage of nutrients. But if you want to fertilize these plants then do not use organic slow-releasing fertilizers.
The reason is, these fertilizers make a continuous chain of nutrient supply. And a cup of a few extra nutrients can burn the plant leaves.
Of course for the best health, you need to give it some kind of nutrients.
Then use liquid fertilizers and dilute them more than the instructions. If the bottle says to use 1 cup of water and 1 cup of liquid. Then use 2 cups of water to dilute 1 cup of liquid nutrients.
Pruning
This is the important part to keep the plant healthy and protected from pests. Use pruning tools to remove the dead parts of the plants.
In indoor growing conditions, this plant grows up to 10 feet tall. So, for keeping it medium size plant you need to trim the top parts.
If you like having a tall plant in one of the corners of your house then no need to cut the growth. Just remove the dying parts of the plants including yellow leaves.
Propagation
Monstera epipremnoides can be propagated in two ways. The first is to use water as a growing medium and in the second we use soil.
In water propagation, you need to take a glass of water. The water has to be clean and free from heavy minerals. For a high success rate use filtered water only.
Choose a healthy stem and cut it from the plant. The stem should be a minimum of 6 inches long with few leaves on it.
Then put the stem in the water and place the glass in a highly humid and warm location. The roots will develop in a few days.
In the second method plant the stem by cutting directly into the soil. Then move the pot to high humidity and warm place.
Within a few days, the plant will develop roots.
Do not use other Monstera epipremnoides propagation methods. They look easy but the success rate is very low as compared to the water and soil propagation.
Toxicity
According to the Cornell College of Agriculture and life sciences, monstera Esqueleto is toxic to cats and dogs.
The sap of the plant has toxic chemicals. Alkyl Resorcinol is found in its sap which causes hypersensitivity dermatitis.
The toxic effect only results when the pets chew plant leaves or stems. They feel stomach pain and vomit in some cases.
In this situation, you should immediately contact the animal poison control center.
Monstera epipremnoides pests
Although this is resistant to most common houseplant pests. But if you do not follow the Monstera epipremnoides care routine.
Then the chances are your growing monstera Esqueleto get infected by Spider mites and Scales.
They suck the sap of the plant even if it has toxic chemicals in it. But pest infestation is a rare case. If your plant is suffering from them.
Then use the rubbing alcohol to kill them and then apply diluted neem oil on the entire plant.
Monstera epipremnoides diseases
There are only 3 plant diseases that can affect its growth.
Yellow leaves of Monstera epipremnoides
Overwatering and excess light are responsible for Monstera epipremnoides yellow leaves. If the light is the reason, then move the plant pot to a less bright location.
This will save the remaining green leaves. But you have to remove the yellow and dry leaves of Monstera epipremnoides
If extra moist soil is the reason, then stop watering it and reschedule your watering routine. Also, remove the yellow leaves.
For watering, it checks the soil condition with the soil moisture meter.
Root rot
Extra water in the soil is the main cause of rotting roots. For good Monstera epipremnoides care limit the water to once in 8 days in summer. And once in 20 days in the winter season.
If the plant is infected then take it out of the pot and remove the rotted parts of the roots. Then plant it back in the pot. It is best if you use new potting soil. Because once the roots get fungus the fungi bacteria enter the soil particles.
Brown leaf edges of monstera
Having brown edges on the plant leaves indicates the health status of the plant. Brown edges of the leaves mean the plant is not healthy and it needs your attention.
Low humidity is the main cause of brown leaf tips. Move the plant to a highly humid place. Or turn ON the humidifier.
Your problem will get solved. But the brown leaf tips will not turn green. You need to trim the leaves to save healthy leaves.
