Be it on tablecloths or wallpaper, Monstera window leaves are all the rage. The impressive leaves of the Monstera Monkey Leaf give any room or conservatory a homely character.
Monkey Leaf is a particularly beautiful variety of Monstera Monstera. Due to its smaller leaves, it finds a place in every apartment and gives it a modern touch of the jungle. We'll show you how to properly care for the Monstera Monkey Leaf and even how to propagate it yourself.
Monstera Monkey Leaf: origin and characteristics
The monstera monkey leaf (Monstera adansonii) is native to the tropical forests and river banks of Central and South America. A humid climate prevails in these natural locations and the soils are rather acidic with a pronounced layer of humus.
You're probably wondering where the name Monkey Leaf came from. Legend has it that a monkey hid behind a monstera leaf after spotting a botanist. This botanist saw the monkey with the leaf in his face and named the plant Monkey Leaf.
Like all monstera leaves, the leaves of the Monstera Monkey Leaf also have holes in the leaf surface. In contrast to most other window leaf types, however, the holes in the Monkey Leaf are retained by a closed leaf edge. In addition, the leaves with a maximum diameter of 30 centimeters are significantly smaller than in other species. The Monstera Monkey Leaf has a liana-like growth. With optimal care, the Monstera shows vigorous growth and forms flowers. These white inflorescences are enclosed in a large leaf sheath. But the Monkey Leaf is also beautiful without flowers.
Note: All parts of the Monstera Monkey Leaf plant are poisonous. You should therefore make sure that children or pets do not swallow any parts of the Monstera plant. You should also avoid contact with the plant sap during maintenance work, as this can trigger skin reactions.
Planting and repotting Monstera Monkey Leaf
OnA suitable location for a Monstera Monkey Leaf is warm all year round, between 18 and 29 °C, and as bright as possible. However, it does not tolerate direct sunlight well. The Monkey Leaf can also survive in a darker corner of the room, but growth is clearly inhibited here.
Before you plant your Monstera, you should think about what kind of growth you want. As a liana, it needs a climbing aid for upright growth. Without this support, the Monkey Leaf is very well suited as a hanging planting, for example in a hanging basket.
The Monstera window leaf feels very comfortable in a loose plant substrate that is enriched with expanded clay, for example. We recommend that you use peat-free, compost-based soil for good nutrition and to protect the environment. In addition, a compost-based soil imitates the natural location. Due to the slightly acidic pH value, our Plantura organic universal soil is ideal for these and other Monstera species.
If the first roots are sticking out of the drainage holes, if growth is stunted or if the substrate is unable to absorb water, we advise you to remove the root ball from the planter. If you can see a very dense web of white roots, consider repotting your Monstera. This is usually necessary every three years. We recommend that you plant the Monstera in a pot that is about 5 cm larger in diameter. The best time for repotting is spring. As a substrate, we recommend a compost-based soil, such as our Plantura organic universal soil, as with a new planting. With a 3 cm layer of expanded clay on the bottom of the planter you get a good drainage layer. After repotting, simply water vigorously and place in the previous location to avoid further stress. No fertilizer should be applied for the next two months.
Tip: If you want to stimulate stronger growth, you can choose a larger pot. On the other hand, if you want to limit growth, you should use the smallest possible pot.
Caring for the Monstera Monkey Leaf
The Monstera Monkey Leaf is an easy-care houseplant. Adequate watering is very important for lush growth. The Monstera tolerates neither waterlogging nor drought. We therefore advise waiting between watering until the surface of the plant substrate has dried off. Allow up to 80% of the root ball to be dry before watering thoroughly until waterout of the drainage holes. You can also put your Monstera outside in the summer. You should only note that the Monkey Leaf does not tolerate direct sun and temperatures below 10 °C.
If the Monstera Monkey Leaf feels comfortable in its location, vigorous growth can be observed. Their nutrient requirements are correspondingly high. Therefore, a special fertilizer for indoor plants should be used, with which you can provide a continuous, needs-based supply of nutrients. Our Plantura organic indoor & green plant fertilizer is designed for green plants and allows you to provide your Monstera with important nutrients in a simple way. The ratio of the main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in our organic indoor & green plant fertilizer is perfect for your Monstera. With this fertilizer you are not only doing something good for your plant, but also for the environment, since our organic houseplant fertilizer is produced in a resource-saving and climate-friendly manner. The Monstera Monkey Leaf should be fertilized once a week according to the dosage instructions. Monthly fertilization is sufficient in winter.
If one or the other shoot of the Monstera Monkey Leaf bothers you, you can easily remove or cut it back. Regular pruning is not necessary, but can lead to denser growth. You can also use the cut shoots to propagate the Monstera. Don't cut off the aerial roots. If these have reached the ground and are bothering you, you can bury the aerial roots in the planter.
Especially in winter, dry air can cause brown tips on the leaves. You can prevent this by spraying the Monkey Leaf with water at least once a week. To increase the humidity, you can also put some stones in a saucer and fill it with water so that the pot does not come into contact with the water. You can then simply refill it regularly.
Tip: The humidity is usually higher in the bathroom or kitchen. With enough light, these rooms are a very good location.
Propagate Monstera Monkey Leaf
The Monstera Monkey Leaf can be propagated very well by cuttings. The window leaf can form roots at the leaf nodes. This can be used by cutting off shoots that are about 15 to 20 cm long and contain at least one leaf node. The freshly cut cuttings canStick them in moistened soil. A mixture of some sand and a seed compost that promotes root growth, such as our Plantura organic herb and seed compost, is suitable for this. The entire shoot, including the leaf nodes, should be covered with soil. Only the leaf should stick out of the ground. Alternatively, you can place the cuttings in a glass with some water. You should change the water twice a week. If you see above-ground growth, it is best to wait another three weeks and then plant the cuttings in universal soil.
Propagating your own plants is not only fun, it's also a great way to trade with friends. In our special article we will tell you how to grow indoor plants from cuttings.