Monstera Adansonii Mint Care Guide (Monstera Adansonii Indonesia)

Last Updated on January 13, 2023 by Admin

Monstera Adansonii Mint is another rare and unique variegated monstera. Like its namesake the Monstera Mint, it has many common names.

Note that the Monstera Adansonii Mint is different from the Monstera Mint in that the former is a subspecies of the Monstera Adansonii. On the other hand, the latter is a subspecies of the Monstera deliciosa.

Therefore, if you look at their leaves, the resemble their corresponding parents foliage. This makes them very different in looks such that there’s no way of mistaking one for the other.

It is also worth noting that the Monstera Adansonii Mint is often called the Variegated Adansonii Mint. Some people will refer to it as the Monstera Adansonii Indonesia or Adansonii Var. Indonesia.

Basically, it is the Indonesia form.

Hopefully, that helps you understand things before you get confused by what the internet has to say.

In any case, what makes the plant unique is its light green variegated foliage with large fenestrations (holes).

Is the Monstera Adansonii Mint Chemically Induced or Not?

With that in mind, there’s one final thing to know about the plant.

And this is a bit of controversial and comes with some debate.

I have not been able find any verification or otherwise so I can’t tell you at this time which is true.

Some people have mentioned that the variegations on the Monstera Adansonii Mint has been chemically induced. But, according to them, its color induction is not similar to the Philodendron Pink Congo, which can lose its pink properties.

Instead, the Monstera Adansonii Mint will stay variegated despite being chemically induced. Thus, it is much cheaper than other Monstera varieties.

On the other hand, I’ve talked to a few growers who have the plant. And according to them that they believe the Monstera Adansonii Mint’s variegations are genetic and inherited down.

They’ve likewise noted that the variegations are stable and that chemically inducing the colors will cause different results to what you see in the plant.

So, they don’t believe that the colors of the Monstera Adansonii Mint are chemically induced. And they’ve propagated the plants a few times. So far, all the young plants have maintained their variegations.

Monstera Adansonii Mint Plant Care

Light Requirements

The Monstera Adansonii Mint is a variegated plant with light green leaves and large fenestrations. Plus it is native to the tropical jungle environment where larger trees overhead diffuse the sunshine.

This means that the plant needs bright, indirect light. And it cannot tolerate too much intense light or direct sun for prolonged periods of time.

It also means that it will have a hard time with the opposite extreme, which is very low light.

Thus, a well-lit room with not contact to the sun’s rays is ideal.

The reason for this is that the large holes on its leaves significantly reduce the ability to absorb light because the leaves themselves have a small surface area.

Add to that the variegated parts lack chlorophyll which is the substance that collects light for the plant to use in photosynthesis. As a result, it needs more bright light exposure to compensate for these differences in its structure.

As such, placing it near an east facing window or in the northeast and northwest are perfect. You can likewise place it in the west or south directions provided that it stays away from direct sun. This usually means 3 to 4 feet away at least or filtering the sunlight using sheer curtains or blinds.

If facing an south window that’s bright, you can even place it 10 to 12 feet away provided that the room is well-lit. It will be perfect there as well.

Alternatively, if natural light is not an option, you can use grow lights instead. Again, keep the plant a few inches away to prevent leaf burn.

Temperature

With temperature, the Monstera Adansonii Mint’s tropical nature dictates its preference. It prefers moderate to warm temperature although it will have no problems with hot conditions either.

On the other hand, it is not well-suited for cold and freezing climates.

This means its ideal temperature range is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit which makes it perfect for homes. You do want to avoid leaving in anywhere colder than 50 degrees as it will have a hard time there.

The longer it stays there and the lower the temperature drops, the more problems it will face.

As such, it will not survive the winter snow. Instead, you can keep it outdoors all year round if you live in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 12.

Humidity

Ideal humidity for your Monstera Adansonii Mint is 60% and higher. It will enjoy 90% humidity as well so you don’t really have to worry on the high side.

However, because Central and South America weather is hot and humid pretty much consistently, the plant does not like dry air.

It can tolerate humidity of 40% and a bit lower than that. But the lower you go, the higher the risk of brown, crispy leaf tips and edges. Thus, you want to monitor the plant if you live in the desert or have very dry air during the summer or wintertime.

If this should happen, consider using a humidifier.

Alternatively, you can go with free options as well. Although each of these will have varying effects with some being able to boost humidity more than others.

As such, not all will be applicable to your needs depending on how dry the air gets where you live.

I recommend getting a digital hygrometer so you can test and compare their effects if you need to increase humidity around the plant.

This way, you can test a method out and see if it pushed air moisture high enough or not. Then combine or try other methods.

Here are some options:

Misting the plant – how often will depend on how much higher you need to bring humidity)
Grouping it with other plants – the more plants and the larger the plants, the more transpiration therefore, the higher the humidity boost.
Put it on a pebble tray – the more water around the plant the more evaporation will happen. But surrounding the plant with water is not always a practical thing to do indoors.

How Often to Water Monstera Adansonii Mint

Overall care for your Monstera Adansonii Mint is generally easy with the exception of watering.

The key is to keep the soil moist during the warmer months (without over doing it) and quite dry in the winter months.

That’s because the plant is sensitive to too much water. And if you let the roots stand in water for long periods of time, it can lead to root rot.

Therefore, staying on the dry side is ideal.

The best way to do this is to wait until the top 2 inches of soil is dry before adding more water. Alternatively, you can be more conservative and wait until the soil is 50% dry before watering again.

Also, when you water the plant, water thoroughly and let it completely drain after.

This will mimic the rainforest conditions where it rains and soaks the roots then air circulation will quickly dry them.

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Potting Soil for Monstera Adansonii Mint

The best soil for the Variegated Mint Adansonii is moist and well-draining. Ideally, it is loose, airy and with pH that is acidic to neutral (5.5 to 7.0).

The goal here is to give the plant enough moisture but to drain excess water so the roots don’t end up standing in water. Thus, avoid heavy soil or those that tend to retain moisture.

Instead, look for soil that contains perlite, pumice, orchid bark and other components that increase drainage. This will help prevent waterlogging and overwatering.

Here are a few options you can use:

Peat moss with perlite, orchid bark and charcoal
Potting soil with coco fiber
Potting soil with peat moss
Coco coir with perlite and compost
Peat moss with pumice and worm castings

In addition to this, use a pot with drainage. That way, any liquid that drains form the potting mix has a way to exit the pot.

Fertilizer

The Mint Adansonii is not a heavy feeder so it does not need a lot of plant food. This also means that you want to avoid giving it more in an attempt to help it grow bigger or faster.

This usually produces the opposite effect since chemical fertilizers use salt to transport the nutrients. Thus, when you feed the plant more, you’re also giving it more salt while providing it with more minerals.

The issue here is that plants don’t like salt. And too much salt buildup eventually damages its roots (this is called fertilizer burn).

That said, the Variegated Monstera Adansonii Mint needs fertilizer to get all the nutrients it needs. So, it is important to give it plant food for health and proper growth.

If you notice yellow leaves, it can mean that your plant is nutrient deficient. Usually this happens due to lack of magnesium. Therefore, check to make sure that the product you’re using has magnesium.

The easiest way to feed your Monstera Adansonii Mint is to apply a balanced houseplant fertilizer (an N-P-K of 20-20-20) works well. Once a month feeding during spring and summer is sufficient and dilute it to half strength.

Don’t feed the plant in the fall and winter.

Pruning

The Monstera Adansonii Mint can grow to 10 to 12 feet outdoors. Indoors, it won’t get as big but can still reach between 3 to 8 feet high.

The size varies significantly because a lot depends on how you grow it. This includes:

The amount of sunlight it receives

Watering
Temperature and humidity
The pot size
Kind of soil you use
How you prune the plant

Also, if the plant gets a bit too big for your liking, you can divide it into 2 or more smaller plants.

In general, the Monstera Adansonii Mint will grow fastest when you let it climb. It will also get bigger and have larger leaves in this environment because that is how it grows in the wild.

So, if you want to limit its overall size you don’t need to give it any support to climb on.

This also means that pruning will vary depending on how you pot the plant, how big you want it to get and how fast it is growing.

For the most part, trimming is for shaping the plant and controlling its size. This way you can grow it to look taller or fuller and bushier depending on how you prune.

How to Propagate Monstera Adansonii Mint

Propagating your Monstera Adansonii Mint is quite easy. And the simplest way is by stem propagation or stem cutting.

If the plant has gotten a big and you want to limit its size, you can divide it as well. This allows you to separate the large mother plant into 2 or more smaller plants.

The best time to use division is when you repot the plant since it requires unpotting.

On the other hand you can use stem propagation from the stems that you cut off while pruning.

Here’s how to do it.

Take a healthy 4-6 inch stem cutting. Make sure the cutting has at least one leaf node. It also helps to have a few leaves.
If that stem happens to have aerial roots, even better as research has shown that this increases propagation success rate and speeds up the growth of roots, shoots and leaves later on.
When making the cut, use a sterilize blade or pruning shear. Cut below the node (and aerial roots if any).
Then dip the cutting in rooting hormone. You can use the powder, liquid or paste form. They’re all the same.
Then plant the cutting into well-draining potting mix.
Place the cutting in a spot that is warm and has bright indirect light.
Water the soil and keep it moist, not soggy or wet.
It takes about 3 to 4 weeks before the roots will grow.

You can likewise propagate the stem cutting in water.

Here, place the cutting in a glass jar filled with water. Keep the node (and aerial roots) submerged while removing any leaves that touch the liquid.
The aerial roots will be the first ones to root in water. Note that the two are different kinds of roots in that the aerials roots are woody and hard while the new roots will be soil roots which are soft (but firm) and white in color. Both kinds of roots function differently.
It will take a few weeks before the roots get longer.
And once they are between 2-4 inches long, you can pot up the cuttings.

How to Repot or Transplant Monstera Adansonii Mint

It usually between 2 to 3 years before you need to repot your Monstera Adansonii Mint.

But take this as a guideline rather than a strict rule. That’s because the rate at which your plant will grow will vary based on your home’s environment and how much light, water, humidity fertilizer you give it.

All these factors mean your plant will grow at a different pace with other Monstera Adansonii Mints in other parts of the work cared for by other growers.

If you live in a tropical location, the plant will grow all year round instead of just in spring and summer (which is the case for areas with four seasons). So, it will get bigger sooner.

Therefore, I prefer listening to what the plant is telling you.

In this case, it is time to repot once roots start showing up from the bottom of the pot or the top of the soil’s surface.

Early spring is the best time to repot as it gives the plant an entire growing season before the winter.

And if the plant is bigger, be careful when unpotting. You can tip it on its side and slowly slide it out. This makes it easier to do.

Is It Toxic/Poisonous to Humans, Cats & Dogs

The Monstera Adansonii Mint is toxic to cats, dogs and humans if ingested. This means it is important to keep it out of reach of young children and pets who may end up playing the plant or getting curious.

There is no danger of them touching the plant but once they chew or consume the leaves or stems, then it becomes toxic.

Monstera Adansonii Mint Problems & Troubleshooting

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves often point to overwatering. While this is not the only cause of yellowing foliage, it is the most serious one since it can eventually harm (and destroy) your plant if not remedies soon enough.

Thus, check the soil to see if it is mucky or soggy. These are signs of too much moisture.

If so, allow the soil to dry out a bit before you water.

Pests

The most common pests the like to bother your Monstera Adansonii Mint are spdier mites, scale insects and mealybugs.

All of these can easily be treated with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray, especially when you spot then early. The key is to do so before they turn into a full blown infestation which becomes a headache.

Diseases

Similarly, the plant can experience diseases. The most serious is root rot. Although you want to be aware of other issues like blight, powdery mildew and leaf spot.

The roots and the leaves are the main points that they affect.

With leaves, you’ll see abnormalities like yellowing, weird patterns, spots, markings and lesions.

On the other hand yellowing leaves, wilting are some signs of root rot. But the most obvious is black, rotted, smelly and mushy roots.

If this happens, prune the rotted roots (keep the healthy firm, white ones) and repot in dry, fresh soil.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Monstera adansonii Mint rare?

Yes. The Monstera Adansonii Mint is a rare and sought after houseplant. It is a subspecies of the Monstera Adansonii. Therefore, it inherits the unique fenestrations (holes) in the leaves But the biggest difference is the color of the Monstera Adansonii Mint which is a variegated species.

Is Monstera Adansonii Mint stable?

As with any variegated plant species, the concern is always whether the Monstera Adansonii Mint, as expensive may lose its variegation over time. The good news is that the Monstera Adansonii Mint is stable and its variegations will not disappear as it grows bigger.

What is Monstera Mint?

The Monstera Adansonii Mint is a very rare aroid that features lovely mint green variegated leaves. This gives it its unique colors. Its leaves are smaller than the Monstera Deliciosa’s but they also have the fenestrations (holes) in them. It is a climber in its native habitat which makes it grow climbing against a support or trailing.

How do I keep Adansonii happy?

Watering the Monstera Adansonii is the most important thing to consider. This houseplant likes moist soil but not soggy soil. Overwatering will cause numerous problems. In addition to proper watering, give your Monstera Adansonii Mint bright, indirect sunlight and prune it when its vines get too long and messy looking.

Do Monstera adansonii like to climb or hang?

The Monstera Adansonii can be allowed to climb against a support or to hang and trail downwards. So, you can display it either way. However, this epiphyte is a climber in its natural habitat. So, it is happiest when allowed to go up a support like a pole, trellis, wall or something similar.

Why is Monstera Mint so expensive?

The Monstera Adansonii Mint is very expensive and costs a few thousand dollars whenever you see it sold. This is because it is a very rare houseplant that is difficult to find. The plant is not the easiest to grow so the supply is limited. Additionally, its beauty and unique look also make it sought after by collectors.

How do you make Monstera Adansonii more full?

Proper care will allow it to grow bigger and bushier. Give our Monstera Adansonii lots of indirect sunlight, moist soil and humidity. Pruning helps a lot in making your Monstera Adansonii bushier as it encourages the cut tips to grow more. Fertilizer likewise helps.