Monstera adansonii, otherwise known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is a beautiful and unique climbing plant that is native to Central and South America. The plant gets its name from its large, finger-like leaves that have natural holes in them, which resemble Swiss cheese.
Monstera adansonii is a great addition to any indoor jungle and is relatively easy to care for. However, training climbing monstera adansoniii can be tricky, so we’ve compiled some basic information to help you train this beautiful house plant, and our favorite tips to help your monstera thrive.
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Why Train Climbing Monstera
If you are looking for a way to add some pizzaz to your indoor jungle, then training climbing monstera adansonii is a great option! This fast-growing plant can quickly climb up a support and provide instant green coverage. Additionally, the large leaves of the Monstera adansonii help to purify the air and create a relaxing atmosphere, and training it to grow up your wall or a support inside the pot will make it look even more impressive in your space.
Benefits Of Growing Monstera On Support
When training your Monstera adansonii, one of the most important things to consider is finding the right support for your plant. A stake or trellis can provide the perfect structure for your monstera to climb, and there are several benefits to growing your plant on a support.
For one, training your monstera on a support will encourage it to grow vertically rather than spreading out horizontally. This can help to prevent your plant from taking over too much space in your home or garden. Vertical growth is often more aesthetically pleasing than horizontal growth.
Another benefit of growing monstera on a support is that it can help to keep the leaves clean and free of debris. If left to grow on the ground, the leaves of monstera adansonii are susceptible to getting dirty or covered in mulch and other organic matter. When grown on a support, however, the leaves are better able to stay clean and dust-free.
Finally, growing monstera on a support can also make it easier to control the direction of new growth. By gently guiding the stems as they grow, you can ensure that your plant grows in the desired direction. This can be helpful if you want to create a particular look or shape with your monstera adansonii.
Encouraging Monstera Adansonii To Climb
If you want your Monstera Adansonii to climb, you’ll need to encourage it to do so. You can do this by gently wrapping the stem around a support, such as a trellis or wire. Be careful not to damage the stem. You can also use plant ties to secure the stem to the support.
Once the stem is wrapped around the support, it will begin to grow up the support. You can help it along by training it to grow in the direction you want it to go. Gently bend the stem in the direction you want it to grow and tie it loosely in place with plant ties. As it grows, continue training it until it reaches the desired height.
Preventing Monstera From Leaning
To prevent your Monstera from leaning, you will need to provide it with support. You can do this by staking the plant, or by growing it on a trellis. Make sure that the support is sturdy, as Monstera can get quite heavy when it gets bigger.
If you are growing Monstera in a pot, make sure that the pot is big enough to support the plant, even as it grows larger. The roots of the plant need room to spread out, and if they are cramped up in a small pot, they won’t be able to effectively distribute the weight of the plant far enough to prevent it from leaning over.
Finally, make sure that you are watering your Monstera properly. Over-watering can cause the plant to become top-heavy and lean over. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings and never let the plant sit in water.
Types Of Support For Climbing Monstera
There are a few different types of support that can be used. The most popular type of support is a trellis. Also fairly common are moss poles, stakes, and some people even train their Monstera to climb up the wall using hooks or resting the stem on nails.
Trellis
A trellis is a support structure for climbing plants. It can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, or plastic. There are many trellis options available, ranging from basic to ornate.
When choosing a trellis for your monstera adansonii, make sure it is strong and durable. The last thing you want is for your plant to outgrow its support and topple over! Also, be sure to choose a material that will complement your plant’s natural growth habit. For example, if your monstera adansonii has a tendency to climb vertically, you’ll want to choose a tall, narrow trellis. If it tends to sprawl, a wider trellis would be better suited.
Once you have your trellis in place, simply train your plant to climb it using whatever method you prefer (tying it gently to the structure with string or wire, for example). With regular care and attention, your monstera adansonii will soon climb its way to new heights!
Walls
One of the more interesting places to have your monstera climb is your wall! Many people like the beauty that plants can add to any wall, and having your monstera “climb” your wall can add a bit of plant magic to your room.
You can do this by attaching thin gauge wire or string horizontally along a wall at intervals. Make sure the wire or string is taut so that the plant has something stable to grab onto. You could also simply put hooks in your wall and place the vine on the hooks, and you could then get creative with the hook placement.
Climbing Monsteras are not picky about what they climb, so feel free to get creative with your training methods! Just be sure to give your plant something stable to grab onto and check occasionally that the structure is still secure. With a little patience and care, you’ll have a gorgeous climbing Monstera adansonii in no time!
Stakes
Plant stakes are also a good option for your climbing monstera plant. They’re typically either a coated metal stake or a wooden stake, and some of them have divots for plants to grab onto as they climb.
To use stakes successfully, you’ll want to wrap the stem of the plant around the stake and tie your plant to the stake gently using a soft material. Plant tape would work well, but you can use anything that won’t cut into the stem or put too much direct pressure on the stem.
Moss Poles
Moss poles are a great way to support your climbing monstera adansonii. By wrapping moss around the pole, you can help provide extra grip for the plant to climb. You can also use sphagnum moss or coco coir to create a natural-looking support for your plant. Be sure to secure the moss pole in place so that it does not topple over.
Moss poles are becoming very popular among plant enthusiasts for many reasons. Using moss allows the plant to cling to it more securely, and it looks more natural than a metal or wood trellis or a stake.
When choosing the type of support you would like for your climbing Monstera, just make sure that it is sturdy enough to support your plant even when it gets much bigger.
How To Train Monstera Adansonii To Climb
It’s fairly easy to train your Monstera adansonii to climb. Start by tying the stem to a support structure with soft, non-abrasive material. Allow the plant to grow up the support until it reaches the desired height, and then trim back any side shoots that appear below the main stem to encourage vertical growth.
Monstera adansonii is a fast-growing climbing plant that can reach up to 20 feet in height, and while Monstera adansonii can grow without support, training it to climb will result in a fuller, healthier plant.
Tying Climbing Monstera To Support
When tying your Monstera, make sure to use a soft, non-abrasive material. You can use garden ties, strips of cloth, or even old t-shirts cut into strips. The important thing is that the material you use is gentle on the plant and won’t damage the stem as it grows.
Next, allow the plant to grow up the support until it reaches the height you want it to be. Depending on how fast your Monstera adansonii grows, this could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. As the plant grows, keep an eye on its progress and adjust the ties as necessary so that they remain snug but not too tight.
Tying your climbing Monstera to support is a great way to encourage it to climb up and around whatever you have chosen as its trellis or support. Doing this will also help to keep the stem from flopping over as it gets longer, thus preventing your plant from any damage that might happen as a result of its growth.
The Right Time To Support Climbing Monstera
The best time to support climbing monstera is when the plant is young and just starting to climb. By providing support early on, you’ll help the plant grow more evenly and reduce the risk of breakage later on.
With that said, try not to tie up brand new growth too quickly. Doing so may damage the brand new growth, and the plant would then have to spend valuable energy recovering from the injury.
As the vine grows, you may need to adjust the support material periodically to ensure that it remains secure. When training climbing monstera, be sure to give the plant enough space to spread out – if it becomes too crowded, disease and pests may become a problem. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy many years of beautiful growth from this stunning tropical vine.
Repot Monstera Adansonii and Add Support
When climbing monstera adansonii reach a certain height, they will need to be repotted and given support. Repotting should be done every 2-3 years or when the roots become pot bound. Be sure to use a well-draining potting mix and a slightly larger pot than the current one.
Monstera adansonii are fast growers and can quickly outgrow their pots. When repotting, be sure to give them plenty of room to grow by using a slightly larger pot than their current one. Be sure to use a well-draining potting mix that contains peat moss or coco coir.
Once your plant is in its new pot, it will need support to continue growing upward. You can provide support by tying the stem to a trellis or other structure, as outlined above. Be sure to do this gently so as not to damage the stem.
Caring For Your Re-Potted Monstera
Once you have your monstera adansonii in its new pot, it is important to give it the care it needs to thrive. Here are some tips on how to care for your newly re-potted monstera.
Position
Monstera’s are tropical plants that grow under the canopy of taller trees. So placing your plant somewhere in your home that receives some direct light, but also plenty of indirect sunlight, will be best for this plant. If placed directly next to a big window, a west-facing window that receives soft, morning light would be best, although it would also do well in a south-facing window where they get a bit of light throughout the day.
Don’t let the plant leaves rest on the window, as this may cause burns in the summer and frostbite in the winter, depending on your local climate. Giving your plant some time outside would also really benefit its growth; just ensure the temperature is mild before hauling it outside for an hour or two.
Temperature And Humidity
Monstera adansonii is pretty versatile in the temperatures it can tolerate. It can tolerate both warm and cool temperatures, as long as there is some humidity present. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit.
As for humidity, Monstera adansonii likes it on the higher side. If the air in your home is on the dry side, you may want to consider investing in a humidifier. This will help keep your plant happy and healthy. If you don’t want a humidifier in your space, try misting the leaves of your plant every day or two.
Soil Conditions
The soil that your Monstera adansonii is growing in plays a critical role in its development. The roots of the plant will need to be able to access nutrients and water, so it is important to make sure the soil is loose and well-draining. A soil with too much clay or organic matter can compact and become waterlogged, leading to problems with the plant’s roots.
To ensure that your Monstera adansonii has the best possible chance at success, it is important to start with a high-quality potting mix. A mix that is designed for tropical plants will provide the right level of drainage and nutrients for your plant. You can also add some perlite or vermiculite to the potting mix to help improve drainage, but one specifically formulated for Monstera plants already has everything you need for your plant to thrive.
Watering
You should water your Monstera on a regular schedule, but make sure there’s enough time between waterings for the top inch or two of soil to dry out. These plants are native to tropical rainforests, so they are used to receiving infrequent bouts of heavy rainfall. Watering too often will lead to root rot, so allow the top couple inches of soil to dry out in between watering.
You should monitor the moisture levels carefully. The soil should be moistened evenly, but not allowed to become soggy or waterlogged. Keep a moisture meter handy and check it every so often, as well as before and after you water it.
During the growing season (spring and summer), you may need to water every 7-10 days. In the winter months, cut back on watering even further, allowing the soil to almost completely dry out before giving your plant a drink.
Fertilizer
It is important to fertilize regularly, using a fertilizer designed for tropical plants. You could also use Monstera Plant Food to ensure your plant gets everything it needs regularly.
With standard fertilizer, more is not always better. Over-fertilizing can actually burn the roots of your Monstera adansonii, so apply it carefully and watch your plant closely for a day or two afterwards. A good rule of thumb is to fertilize once a month during the growing season, and then reduce to every other month during the winter. When you do fertilize, use a broad spectrum fertilizer that is low in nitrogen.
If you notice droopy leaves shortly after fertilizing, this could be a sign of fertilizer burn, and you’ll want to repot immediately with fresh soil to prevent your plant from soaking up any more fertilizer still in the soil. Give the roots a really good rinse after taking it out of the fertilized soil, and then water well once replanted. You could simply run water through the fertilized soil to rinse it all out as well. After that, keep a close eye on the plant for a couple of days and it should begin to recover.
Growth Rate & When To Repot
Monstera adansonii grows rather quickly, up to two feet per year in ideal conditions. In your home, this plant could grow to be between six and eight feet tall with about a two-foot spread. In its tropical home, though, this plant normally grows to about twelve feet high, climbing on other plants for support. There is even an adansonii that has gotten up to 60 feet high! That one has absolutely perfect growing conditions, though.
With such a fast growth rate, you might think that you would need to repot it more frequently than most other house plants, but actually it is recommended to only repot this beautiful house plant every 1-2 years.
As for when to actually repot, the best time is in spring or early summer. This gives the plant plenty of time to recover and start growing again before the weather gets too cold. Just be sure to check the roots before you repot – if they’re starting to come out of the drainage holes, your plant is telling you it needs a bigger pot, not just new soil!
FAQ Climbing Monstera Adansonii
Do Monstera Adansonii Prefer To Climb Or Hang
Both! This plant is just as happy climbing up a trellis or totem as it is hanging down from a basket or pot. In fact, many growers believe that monstera adansonii actually does better when it is allowed to climb and hang rather than being kept in a pot on the ground.
Climbing monstera plants are a beautiful addition to any houseplant collection, and being able to train them to climb a support will keep them looking beautiful and strong for many years. This is a plant that is happiest when it is able to climb, so find a good support for your Monstera adansonii and give it the proper care it needs, and soon you will have a huge climbing monstera in your home.
To learn more about monstera growth and troubleshooting monstera care, visit these resources:
The Ultimate Monstera Plant Care Webinar
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