Adam’s rib plant or Monstera deliciosa: care

This lush tropical plant, native to South America, is one of the so-called hardy indoor plants , as it requires little care and is therefore suitable for beginners. Let’s see what your needs are:

Temperature

Adam’s rib, as a tropical plant, does not withstand very low temperatures. It can withstand cold seasons of short duration and intensity, but temperatures below 0 ºC kill the plant.

Watering the Monstera deliciosa

The Monstera deliciosa does not need large amounts of irrigation, since in its natural habitat it tends to be sheltered. Usually a single weekly watering will be necessary in cold months, and up to two in warm ones, especially in very dry or hot environments. It is important to let the soil drain properly after each watering, making sure that there is no puddled or accumulated water on the plate or in the pot.

In this other AgroCorrn article we explain when to water the plants .

Light and location

This is one of the indoor plants that need little light , which means that indoors, it will be enough to place it in a bright room. For this reason and for its appearance it is one of the most used plants to decorate interiors. Outdoors, on the other hand, it is necessary to place the Monstera deliciosa in the shade, since it does not tolerate direct sun exposure for many hours. In the same way, it is important to place it away from heat sources or air conditioners, since they would dry it excessively.

Pruning the Adam’s rib plant

Pruning of the Monstera deliciosa plant is usually done to prevent it from overgrowing and taking up too much space, especially indoors. What should be done is, with properly sterilized scissors, pinch the developing stem to reduce its height. Also, the cut stem can be used for reproduction.

Multiplying the delicious Mosntera by cuttings is very easy thanks to the aerial roots that the plant creates. These are very resistant and withstand both a wide range of temperatures and low humidity. To make a cutting of Adam’s rib, simply follow these steps:

1. Cut a stem below the point where the plant has created its aerial roots. It is important that the cutting has at least one good size leaf.
2. Prepare a pot with a light substrate, like the one we usually use for seedlings based on coconut fiber and worm castings .
3. Plant up to two cuttings per pot together, making sure to bury their roots well in the substrate.
4. Water after planting the cuttings and leave the pot in a bright room where it does not receive direct sunlight.

There are two possible causes of yellow leaves on the Adam’s rib plant :

• If the leaves turn completely yellow, it means that you are overwatering your plant . In these cases, in addition, the first yellow leaves usually appear in the lower part of the plant. You should reduce the irrigation doses, letting the substrate dry and watering less from there, until you notice that the plant regains a healthier green tone.
• If, on the other hand, the leaves show only small yellow spots, which turn brown later, it does not mean that you are watering too much, but that the ambient humidity is very low or that the sun hits it too directly and / or for many hours . In this case, move the plant to a more suitable location and spray some water on the plant’s leaves periodically to increase the humidity around the plant.

Indeed, Monstera deliciosa is toxic due to its high content of oxalic acid , which is also present in fruits that have not yet finished ripening. However, this plant is only poisonous if ingested and nothing happens by touching or being with it.

With this in mind, it is not at all dangerous for adults, but it can be dangerous for small children or pets , since they could nibble on it out of curiosity or mistake. If you have children or pets at home, place your pot somewhere they cannot reach to avoid accidents and try not to leave them alone in the place where the plant is. In case you know or suspect that they have ingested a piece of the plant, contact your doctor or veterinarian and take them to the consultation.

If you want to read more articles similar to Adam’s rib plant or Monstera deliciosa: care , we recommend that you enter our category of Growing and caring for plants .