Monstera Laniata is a fabulous tropical plant with wonderful broad leaves. This leafy plant can be 12 feet tall in its healthy condition. The leaves of this gorgeous plant are 24 inches long with oval fenestrations.
These oval holes make the plant unique and most attractive. It looks more beautiful while growing in a hanging pot. Let’s move forward and discuss the plant in detail.
Monstera Laniata Classification
Family: Araceae
Genus: Monstera Adansonii
Origin
The plant is also called Monstera Adansonii Var. Laniata because it is the variation of Monstera Adansonii. This rare plant is native to South America and found in tropical forests.
Genus
Monstera adansonii is also called the Swiss Cheese plant due to its beautiful big leaves with natural holes. There are 45 plants in the genus of Monsteras. The name originated from its leaves with oddly shaped holes.
Features of Monstera Laniata Plant
Let’s have a look at the features of this beautiful plant:
Maintenance
This is one of the good features of this rare plant that it needs low maintenance. You can easily grow the plant in your home like other plants with basic care.
Drought Tolerance
The plant is good in drought tolerance which means, it can bear underwater for a few days. But don’t miss watering for many days otherwise it can decrease the moisture and lead to plant death.
Dormancy
The plant is vulnerable to dormancy in the winter season. In this condition, the growth stops and the plant becomes unhealthy. Additionally, its requirements for fertilization as well as water also decrease.
Monstera Laniata Care
Although, the plant doesn’t need more maintenance yet basic care is essential to keep the plant healthy and fast-growing. In this regard, there are several factors you must keep in mind if you wish to grow this plant in your home.
Quick Care Guide
Water: Weekly watering, when topsoil gets 40% dry
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Light: Indirect sunlight, medium to bright
Temperature: 61-82°F
Fertilizer: Once every month in spring and summer
Repotting: After 1 to 2 years
Let’s have a look at care in detail so that you can take better care of your plant.
Soil Requirements
If we talk about the soil type, the appropriate soil for this plant is well-draining so that it can drain excess water from the drainage hole.
As far as contents are concerned, the soil must contain perlite or sphagnum peat moss. These ingredients provide the best ventilation and increase drainage.
Pot Size and Type Requirements
A concrete pot is suitable for the plant with at least one drainage hole. The size should be 2 inches bigger than the root ball otherwise it will prevent the root from growing further.
Light Requirements
Medium to bright indirect sunlight is adequate to fulfill the needs of the Monstera Laniata plant. Direct sunlight can cause damage to the plant and burn leaves.
So, it is better to place the plant under shade to get indirect sunlight. For this, you can use an east or south-facing window. Another option is artificial light but make sure that it is 30 inches far from the plant.
Water Requirements
Slightly moist soil is suitable for this plant. If you are going to water your plant, make sure that 40% of the topsoil is dry. You can check it by putting your figure into the soil.
The water requirement varies according to the season as in summer, the moisture evaporates from the soil. So, the plant needs more water. On the other hand, the humidity level increases in the winter season so, keep the gap long.
Humidity Requirements
The normal range of humidity for the plant is 60 to 90%. Sometimes, the humidity level decreases significantly in dry or warm weather.
You can check humidity using a hygrometer and maintain it by doing certain things. For example, spray the foliage with water.
An air humidifier is also helpful for this purpose. Additionally, you can keep a bowl of water near the plant. The plant will absorb moister and remain healthy.
Temperature Requirements
The adequate temperature for Monstera Laniata is 61-82°F. The seasons have a great impact on plants so, you should be very careful to maintain the temperature. Otherwise, the plant would not be healthy. Place it in the area where the temperature is moderate according to the plant.
Fertilizer Requirements
It is crucial to fertilize the plant after one month in spring and summer. In other seasons, increase the gap and fertilize it after three months. You can use either slow-release or liquid fertilizer but make sure to dilute it before using.
Pruning Requirements
The height of monstera laniata is up to 12 feet and the leaves are 24 inches in length. You can prune it to decrease its size. Trimming also gives it a neat shape. Remember, the best time for pruning is the start of spring.
Repotting Requirements
Repotting is needed when the roots overgrow the pot. You can see them out of the drainage hole of the pot. The other signs of repotting include leggy and slower growth of the plant. In addition, the leaves turn yellow or brown.
Monstera Laniata Propagation
The propagation of this plant can be done in two ways; root the cutting in the soil to grow or place it in water until new roots start appearing and growing.
You can follow the procedure below while propagating your plant:
- Sterilize the shear or knife with alcohol.
- Cut a stem of three inches having at least two leaves at the top.
- Put the stem in a paper towel for a week and let it form a callus. Make sure the paper towel is moist.
- Prepare a container or pot with a drainage hole.
- After forming a callus by the stem, erect this stem into the soil. It should be held tightly by the soil.
- If the stem cutting is not able to hold itself straight, you can use a straw to tie the stem and make it straight.
- Now, keep the pot in indirect sunlight and water it.
Monstera Laniata Problems and Their Solutions
Brown Leaves
Sometimes, the leaves turn brown due to overwatering or lack of sunlight. To prevent this, avoid overwatering. Plus, place the plant in bright but indirect sunlight so that the leaves remain fresh at a slightly warm temperature.
Crisp leaves Disease
Direct sunlight causes this disease and the leaves turn crisp. To protect the leaves from intense sunlight, keep the plant under the shade. If you have arranged an artificial light for your plant, keep it far from the plant.
Leaf Spot Disease
If you see the leaf spot disease in your plant, dispose of the infected leaves immediately. The reason is that it spreads all over the plant and damages it entirely.
This disease attacks plants due to a fungal or bacterial infection. The cause of this infection is an increased level of humidity. So, protect your plant from such problems, by avoiding overhead watering. In addition, always keep the foliage dry.
Pests
Pests are the greatest enemies of plants. They attack to eat the foliage and suck the sap. They make the plant weak and unhealthy and lead to death.
The more chance of pests’ attack is due to high moisture levels and damp leaves. Common pests of Monstera Laniata include aphids, spider mites, thrips, and mealybugs.
Some pests are too small and it becomes difficult to locate them. However, you can get rid of the pests by simply spraying the foliage with neem oil which is the best pesticide. You can use neem oil alone or mix it with water to kill the pests.
Summary
Monstera Laniata is an outstanding tropical plant having broad leaves with holes that make the plant center of attraction. It is a fast-growing plant that needs low maintenance.
