Monstera Siltepecana is a sight to behold and differs from its mature form. Its captivating beauty has made it a popular choice in the world of indoor plants.
As it matures, it can grow the hole-filled Monstera leaves. But, before that, its young form has silver stripes and green veins.
Although not particularly challenging to grow, achieving its full maturity requires specific conditions. In this article, we will give you thorough insights. They are on caring for, propagating, and fixing common issues with this plant.
What Is Monstera Siltepecana?
It comes from many places in South and Central America. Monstera Siltepecana is tougher than other plants in its family. It thrives as a climber.
To truly nurture this plant, you’ll need to provide it with something to climb on. This is because the young Monstera Siltepecana is a ground plant. It is often found at the base of trees. The adult form becomes more of an tree-dwelling plant.
In its natural habitat, it needs to grow up the trunk of a tree to complete its growth cycle. Thus, if you want this plant to reach its full potential, you need to support it with a large branch or moss pole. Otherwise, it will grow as an epiphytic climber if left without any support.
Distinguishing Monstera Siltepecana from Monstera Peru
It’s not uncommon for Monster Siltepecana to be mistaken for another Monstera species. This confusion isn’t all the fault of plant enthusiasts. The species can be quite puzzling. Their appearance changes a lot as they grow. This makes it hard to tell them apart from their close relative, Monstera Peru. But, there are some ways to tell them apart. Monstera Siltepecana and Monstera Peru have different leaf shapes.
Below is a more detailed explanation of the differences between these two species:
Leaf Shape
Monstera Siltepecana has arrowhead-shaped leaves, with some describing them as resembling water droplets. But, Monstera Peru has somewhat similar leaf shapes.
Color
The leaf color of Siltepecana varies at different growth stages. The young leaves of Siltepecana are silver-gray with dark veins. The mature leaves are darker green and less marbled. In contrast, Monstera Peru has dark green leaves.
Texture
Siltepecana’s leaves have spots on the midrib. These spots affect their texture. But, aside from that, the leaves have a normal texture. In contrast, Monstera Peru’s mature leaves are smooth and glossy, resembling plastic. The leaf surface is uneven and has air pockets.
Vein Lines
The dark veins on Siltepecana’s silver-gray leaves create an attractive pattern. The pattern is more pronounced on the underside than the top. Monstera Peru has solid dark green leaves. They have light marbling, which looks shiny when hit by light at certain angles.
Height and Spread
Siltepecana can grow as tall as 30 cm (12 inches) at its least and reach up to 1.22 meters (4 feet) in ideal conditions. Its least spread can be 10 cm (4 inches), but it can extend up to 1.22 meters. The actual size of Siltepecana depends on its care and the environment it’s grown in.
Monstera Peru can reach 35 cm (14 inches) tall. But, it can grow over six meters (20 feet) in perfect conditions.
Plant Structure
Siltepecana is a land plant when young. But, it becomes a tree climber when mature. It requires something to climb on in an indoor setting. Without proper care, it may not progress beyond its juvenile stage. In contrast, Monstera Peru is also a climber. But, it can mature without the support Siltepecana needs. This feature allows for creative arrangements. For example, hanging baskets let it thrive . It seems suspended in mid-air.
Flowers & Fruit
Both plants have similar flowers. But, what you see on Siltepecana and Peru are not flowers, but spathes. These spathes encase the spadix, which is a specialized folded leaf.
Siltepecana does not produce fruit, but some varieties of Peru do. The fruit is edible, with a flavor reminiscent of ripe bananas and pineapples.
Growth Rate
Siltepecana remains a terrestrial plant until it starts climbing. It takes two to three years to reach full maturity. The time depends on the environment.
Monstera Peru is fast-growing and rare. It grows much faster than Siltepecana.
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