Plants that look like Monstera may be a good option for your house if you want to add something special and lovely.
It is one of the most unusual-looking plants in existence yet one of the simplest to cultivate and maintain. It is sometimes referred to as the Swiss cheese plant.
This article will teach you all there is to know about this rare species and whether or not it would be a nice addition to your home landscaping if you’re curious about what makes it so remarkable or how it might improve your interior environment.
Plants that look like Monstera
Philodendron
Over 500 species of flowering plants in the Araceae family belong to the genus Philodendron, which is indigenous to tropical America.
Because of their beautiful, big leaves, several of the species are extensively grown as indoor plants. Several species are cultivated as garden decorative plants.
It is a blooming plant that is indigenous to the tropics of the Americas and belongs to the Araceae family.
The name of the genus, which alludes to the plant’s big, showy leaves, is derived from the Latin for monster or hairy.
In warm regions, these plants will climb up trellises or ropes, but some also make good groundcovers.
How are philodendrons grown and cared for?
They may be placed outdoors in the summer and brought inside during the cooler months. For planting, choose containers with many drainage holes at the bottom, and fill them with a nutrient-rich potting soil mixture. They need a lot of humidity inside and strong indirect light.
Use a half-strength fertilizer solution to fertilize once each month. Water the soil often enough to keep it wet. Use room temperature water while watering, and avoid overwatering since too much moisture will cause rotting roots.
They are challenging to care for if you don’t know what you’re doing since they have specialized needs in terms of fertilizer, lighting, temperature, and humidity.
Provide a leaf canopy using other broadleaf plants, such as wide-leaf cultivars of Vinca or Japanese spurge, to prevent scorching the fragile leaves in direct sunlight (Pachysandra). Try combining a variety of varieties; philodendrons like companionship.
Monstera Adansonii
Commonly known as the Swiss cheese plant, Monstera adansonii is a species of flowering plant endemic to tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
This climbing vine has broad, pierced leaves that have a recognizable split in the leaf blade. The plant’s leaves get more deeply incised and form deep lobes as it ages.
With leaves that may go as wide as 0.6 meters (2.0 feet), this evergreen vine can reach lengths of up to 20 meters (66 feet).
How can I cultivate and maintain Monstera adansonii?
It is challenging to grow Monstera Adansonia indoors since it needs constant humidity of at least 70%. It may be placed on top of wet soil or bark mulch in a confined container with some kind of ventilation to improve humidity.
They like sitting in the water, so if you have a fountain or pond inside, put the pot on top of it. To avoid them being stressed out from lack of sunlight, make sure they get adequate light from a window.
Tauerii
Native to South America, the tauerii plant is sometimes referred to as the fake Monstera. It has broad, glossy leaves that look like the monstera adansonii in form. The tauerii is a fast-growing plant that may reach up to six feet tall.
It requires little maintenance and may thrive in low-light environments. The tauerii is an excellent choice if you’re seeking a plant that looks like a monster but is simpler to maintain.
How do you develop and take care of?
The tauerii is fairly robust and doesn’t need much care; it won’t perish from excessive exposure to sun or water. It grows best when put in direct, strong sunshine.
Yet, it may thrive inside with fluorescent lighting or next to a window with some exposure to direct sunlight (no more than three hours per day). Place your tauerii far from the air conditioning vents and drafts.
Rhaphidophora
Because of their look in leaf form to Philodendron, these plants are frequently mistaken for them.
Tropical areas of Central and South America are home to monster.
These plants’ leaves may become as big as three feet long and two feet broad.
Due to its enormous size, the plant derives its name from the Latin word meaning monster.
Check out Rhaphidophora if you’re seeking a plant that looks like Monstera.
How are Rhaphidophora grown and cared for?
Monstera prefers wet soil, moderate sunshine, and constant watering.
By slicing the vine into little pieces and planting them in moist soil or rooting hormone, they may be multiplied.
This plant should not be overwatered since it is prone to root rot. After watering for 10 minutes, check to make sure there isn’t any standing water on the soil’s surface.
Philodendron bipinnatifidum
This plant, which is indigenous to the Caribbean and South America, is also known as the lacy tree philodendron. It is often mistaken with the monstera deliciosa, a near cousin.
While the leaf forms of the two plants are similar, the philodendron bipinnatifidum has deeply lobed leaves instead of the monstera’s delicious distinctive holes.
The climber philodendron bipinnatifidum grows quickly and may go as tall as 20 feet. It’s a simple-to-maintain plant that makes a wonderful addition to any indoor jungle.
How is Philodendron bipinnatifidum grown and cared for?
Your Philodendron may be cared for in a variety of ways. They need enough sunshine, just as other plants. Put them in a window or near a window on a shelf so they get six to eight hours of light each day. Also, you should water them around every two weeks.
While they don’t need to be watered often, you should never allow their soil to become entirely dry. Since the plant won’t be able to create enough chlorophyll without nutrients, feeding your Philodendron is equally as crucial as watering it.
Every other week, apply a general-purpose fertilizer.
The philodendron bipinnatifidum enjoys humidity, so make sure to regularly mist their surroundings to keep them wet.
They enjoy ambient temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and they thrive best in humid settings with plenty of indirect light.
Epipremnum Pinnatum
This plant often referred to as devil’s ivy is a fast-growing climber that may grow up to 20 feet in length. Its glossy, heart-shaped leaves have white or yellow variegation on a dark green background. Keep the plant away from children and pets since it is toxic if consumed.
How do you develop and take care of?
While it is simple to cultivate, the devil’s ivy thrives in direct, strong light. It thrives in temperatures between 5 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit, making northern areas a suitable location for it.
From spring through autumn, the plant enjoys regular watering, allowing its soil to dry out between applications. Throughout the winter, you may skip watering it for a few weeks before starting more regular watering.
Your plant can need monthly fertilization with a diluted balanced fertilizer. Due to its distinctive appearance, the devil’s ivy also draws a lot of attention.
Keep an eye out for aphids and scales, which love to grow on them. The majority of garden insecticides work to treat them.
Monstera Plant Types
One of the most often used types of Monstera is the Swiss cheese plant or Monstera adansonii. It may be identified by its big, heart-shaped leaves that have several deep slits or holes.
Another widespread kind of Monstera is the fruit salad plant or Monstera deliciosa. Its edible fruit, which tastes like a mix between pineapple and banana, gave rise to the species name.
Several further varieties of Monstera
- M. siltepecana
- M. elongata
- M. borsigiana
- M. karsteniana.
All of these plants are indigenous to South, Central, and Mexican America. Their sizes vary from modest to enormous. Some, for instance, may reach heights of up to 40 feet.
These creatures may seem frightening at first, but if you follow a few simple guidelines, they’re really incredibly simple to care for.
Start by giving your plant one weekly watering throughout the summer (May through October) and one every two weeks during the winter (November through April).
It should be placed in a sunny area with at least six hours a day of direct sunlight. During the warmer months, you should fertilize your Monstera once a month using an organic fertilizer designed especially for foliage plants.
Don’t fertilize them throughout the winter when they won’t need additional nutrients. Use a potting mix with equal parts peat moss and soil on top of the fir bark when it’s time to repot your plant.
Add just enough water such that after 10 seconds of being pushed together, there is still some moisture present.
Before putting your plant inside, give the potting mix a chance to settle. Only if you overwater them should you have issues; avoid leaving standing water on their roots for more than three days.
Last but not least, watch out for pests like mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites that can try their luck living on your Monstera. Remember, pest management is no longer limited to humans.
Conclusion:
There are a few choices if you’re seeking plants that look like Monstera.
The rhaphidophora tetrasperma, which is extensively offered in nurseries and online, is the most popular choice.
There is also the less popular Philodendron erubescens, which has similar-looking leaves. Lastly, the Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Aureum’ is a vining plant with leaves that mimic those of the Monstera.
Do your homework to make sure the plant will grow in your house, regardless of which one you pick.
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Hey! I’m Madhuresh, a passionate content creator, and a Plant lover. I created Shiny Plant to explore and learn about new plants. The purpose is to provide simple and effective Gardening Tips. Hope you’ll find this informative.