Monstera adansonii

RHS Plant Profile

Mexican breadfruit plant

Synonyms

Monstera pertusa

Houseplants

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
4 Suppliers

A tender perennial that will either climb (given support) or trail to 2m. The stems produce adventitious roots and heart-shaped leaves with oval holes between the main veins

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing, Trailing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Monstera are evergreen climbing shrubs with aerial roots, and usually ovate leaves which are often pinnately cut or lobed; arum-like flowerheads with white spathes arise from the leaf axils on mature plants
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Tropical America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, indirect light with moderate to high humidity. In the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter. Provide a moss pole or other support if you wish the plant to climb. See houseplant cultivation and Monstera for further information

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 18-24°C as soon as ripe, take tip or leaf cuttings with bottom heat in summer, layer in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Hanging Basket
Houseplants
Sub-tropical
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

See pruning group 11

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free