Monstera pinnatipartita is a stunning epiphytic plant native to the tropical rainforests of Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador. This eye-catching plant is actually fairly simple to care for and perfect for intermediate houseplant parents and monstera lovers. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about how to care for Monstera pinnatipartita.
Like most monstera varieties, this plant is prized for its fenestrated leaves; however, this monstera variety is unique because instead of producing holes or slots that only extend midway or so into the leaf (like its cousin Monstera deliciosa), the slots reach nearly all the way to the midrib on the leaf.
Actually, only mature plants produce leaves with this dramatic fenestration; the leaves of young Monstera pinnatipartita plants are solid with no holes or slots at all! In fact, the mature and juvenile forms don’t even look like the same plant.
Here’s everything you need to know about growing a healthy and thriving Monstera pinnatipartita.
Table of Contents
Monstera Pinnatipartita Care Guide
If you’ve cared for another aroid, monstera, or even a tropical plant, you already have a lot of the know-how required to raise a happy Monstera pinnatipartita!
Soil
As an epiphyte that likes to grow on other trees, this plant requires a light, chunky, well-aerated soil with lots of air pockets. Make sure to include some rich, nutrient-dense organic material like compost or coco coir with plenty of aerating ingredients like vermiculite or orchid bark.
If you like to make your own potting mixes, we love this DIY aroid soil recipe from Kaylee Ellen on YouTube.
If you don’t feel like making your own and you want a potting soil that’s ready to go right out of the bag, we recommend our Premium Monstera Potting Soil which was created specifically for monstera plants. It has the perfect balance of drainage and moisture retention for monstera, packs a nutritional punch, and has the ideal neutral pH level for monstera and other aroids.
Light
These rainforest plants are accustomed to dappled sunlight under the forest canopy. Your Monstera pinnatipartita will do best with bright, indirect sunlight from an east-facing window. You can also try a south- or west-facing window, but make sure to place the plant far away enough so it gets lots of bright light—but no direct light in the middle of the day or afternoon when the sun is most severe.
A north-facing window might not provide enough light for your Monstera pinnatipartita to thrive, but you can supplement with a full-spectrum grow light. (We like these grow bulbs that you can just screw into regular light fixtures.) If you decide to go the grow light route, make sure to give your plants at least 8 hours of this bright light per day.
Water
The key here is evenly moist, but not soaked, soil.
We suggest watering when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch or when a moisture meter reads 3-4. (We highly recommend using a moisture meter, by the way, because it can give you a much more accurate idea of what’s going on deeper in the pot. If your soil isn’t aerated, it’s entirely possible your plant’s root ball is soaked while the surface of the soil is completely dried out!)
Your monstera’s water needs can change depending on the season, how much light it’s getting, whether it’s actively growing or not, and its temperature and humidity conditions. This is why it’s important to check your plant’s soil to make sure it actually needs water instead of watering on a schedule.
When your plant does want a drink, you can top water by adding water to the soil until it starts to run out the bottom, or bottom water by placing the whole pot in a container of water and letting it soak up through the drainage hole. (More on bottom watering monsteras here.)
Temperature
As rainforest a plant, Monstera pinnatipartita is happiest in warm temperatures ranging from 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything under 60 degrees is too cold for monsteras and may cause the plant to droop and possibly kill off some leaves.
Also, keep your plant far away from drafts that can freeze the leaves or heaters that can scorch them!
Humidity
Those delicate leaves will dry out quickly in arid conditions!
Your Monstera pinnatipartita will thrive in humidity levels above 50%, but 60% is ideal if you can manage it.
If you live in a dry climate or use a lot of indoor climate control, you will probably want to take some efforts to raise the ambient humidity around your monstera. You can set up a humidifier nearby or place the plant on a humidity tray. Grouping plants together can also raise local humidity levels thanks to their collective respiration. A steamy, bright bathroom is also a great place for tropical plants if you have the room!
Finally, watch out for air conditioning or heating vents that can blast dry air on your plant, as these can turn the leaves to a crisp if you place your plant too close to them!
Fertilization
Use a gentle liquid fertilizer regularly during the spring and summer when your monstera is most likely to be actively growing. You can take a break during the fall and winter, but lots of plant owners find that their plants tend to grow in spurts year-round rather than steadily during a certain season. If this is the case, you may want to fertilize once a month or so in the colder months to support these growth spurts.
We recommend our Monstera Plant Food because it’s specifically formulated for monstera varieties.
Repotting
Monstera pinnatipartita grows fairly quickly, so plan on repotting your plant every year or so. (It’s best to do this in the spring when your plant is gearing up for a growth spurt and should recover from root shock more quickly!)
Choose a pot with drainage holes that is about 2-3 inches larger than your monstera’s root ball. This usually just means going up one size.
Read our guide on repotting monsteras here.
Step-by-Step Guide to Propagation
Like other monstera varieties, Monstera pinnatipartita propagates fairly readily from cuttings and air layering.
How to Propagate in Soil
To propagate a cutting in soil, start by taking a good cutting. Locate a healthy section with a young leaf or two and at least one node (these will look like little bumps on the opposite side of the stem from a leaf). Use a pair of sharp, sterilized shears to take your cutting about a half inch below the node so your cutting contains it and the healthy leaves.
Then make a 50/50 blend of perlite and damp sphaghnum moss and put in a pot. Bury the cut end of the cutting in the moss mixture. Place the pot in a bright place (but out of direct sunlight) and keep the moss moist. You can also add a little Propagation Promoter to the water to help your cutting take root and prevent infection.
Your cutting should start to grow roots within a few weeks and be ready for regular potting mix or Premium Monstera Potting Soil in about two months.
How to Propagate in Water
To propagate in water, take your cutting and place in a clear glass container of clean water and Propagation Promoter. The cut end should be submerged, but don’t let the leaves touch the water. Change the water each week and watch for roots. Once the roots are at least an inch long (this should take about 8 weeks), you can plant the cutting in soil.
How to Air Layer Your Monstera
To air layer, you’ll need shears, sphagnum moss, plastic wrap, and string or twist ties. (Optional: Propagation Promoter)
First, find the section of the monstera that you want to propagate. It should include at least one healthy leaf and a node. Using sterilized shears, make a small cut in the stem near the node, no more than ¼ of the way through the stem.
If using Propagation Promoter, use a cotton ball to dab some on the wound.
Wet the sphagnum moss and wring it out so it’s just damp. Wrap the moss around the wound on the stem, then wrap the moss in the plastic wrap. Then loosely secure the whole bundle with the string or twist ties.
With a spray bottle, rewet the moss when necessary, but don’t soak it. Within a few months, you should see roots growing near the cut. When the roots are at least an inch long, you can cut below them and plant the whole cutting.
Common Problems
Monstera pinnatipartita isn’t especially vulnerable to pests or disease, but issues can happen! Here’s what to watch for.
Pests
Household pests like spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, and scale can make their home on your monstera. If you notice signs of an infestation, such as small brown or red dots, holes, sticky residue, or webbing, start by picking off any insects you see (especially if you have scale), then giving your plant a shower to remove stragglers. Treat your leaves with diluted neem oil or Leaf Armor Spray, and if that doesn’t clear up the issue, use an insecticidal soap.
Some insects that lay their eggs in or on your plant (like thrips) may require a few rounds of treatment to take out new generations of insects as they hatch.
Catching infestations early is important so you can get rid of the insects before they completely take over. If some leaves are severely damaged, you’re better off removing those completely to save the rest of the plant.
Brown or Yellow Leaves
These signs can point to a few different things, so you might need to play detective to determine the cause.
If you notice dark-brown spots accompanied by yellowing, your plant might be overwatered. If the soil still feels wet or reads higher than 4 on a moisture meter more than a week after you watered, there could be an issue with the pot or soil drainage, or your plant might not be getting enough light. (This can greatly affect how efficiently a plant uses water!)
If the stems are squishy, the spots are severe, or if you notice a gross smell coming from the soil, your plant may have root rot. Repot the plant into fresh soil and a clean pot, and trim away any rotting roots. Go easier on the water for a while, and when you do water, use our Root Supplement to help the roots heal.
If the spots are light brown and crispy or the yellowing is occurring all over the plant, your plant could be underwatered. If the soil feels dry just a few days after you watered, you may not be watering deeply enough.
Dry brown spots could also mean your plant needs more humidity, so if the soil feels fine, check for vents that might be drying out your plant, and consider increasing humidity around your plant.
Monstera Pinnatipartita FAQ
FAQ: Why is my monstera leggy?
Legginess can indicate that your plant needs more light! Put it in a brighter spot or think about using a grow light to provide at least 8 hours of bright light per day. That won’t fix the existing legginess or help the plant grow more leaves in the internodal space, but it will help your plant grow fuller in the future.
FAQ: Where can I buy Monstera pinnatipartita?
Monstera pinnatipartita can be tricky to find! You probably won’t see it in the gardening section of your local home improvement store, but you might get lucky at your local boutique plant shop.
Your best bet is to buy online. You can find plants on Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace, or with online sellers like Bloomscape and The Sill. Monstera pinnatipartita may not be available, but some sites like eBay will allow you to set up keyword notifications so you’ll be the first to know when one becomes available.
Sometimes a simple Google search will yield great results. Just make sure to read independent reviews on any seller you’re considering so you can make an informed purchase!
Final Thoughts on Monstera Pinnatipartita
While this monstera variety is uncommon, it’s easy to care for if you can find one. This beautiful plant will become a new favorite and the star of your houseplant collection!
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