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.
How to Care for Monstera Siltepecana
Light
Like many indoor plants, this plant can handle brief direct sunlight. But, it thrives best in locations with bright, indirect light.
This preference aligns with its natural habitat. Monstera Siltepecana grows on land beneath trees or as an epiphyte. In these settings, it mainly gets filtered sunlight through the rainforest canopy. It gets occasional direct sunlight when the sun passes by.
For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the best choices are windows that face north or east.
In general, Siltepecana is quite forgiving about light. It can survive in lower light. But, one should not expect flourishing in such conditions.
Watering
Monstera Siltepecana is a tropical plant, so it enjoys consistent humidity. But, being a epiphytic climber, it won’t appreciate wet conditions.
It grows in the wild as a climber. It gets thorough rain and then drying sunlight. So, combining your watering schedule with indoor humidity levels will yield good results.
Like many tropical plants, they need well-draining pots with holes. These pots help excess water drain and prevent root rot. A plant in a cachepot needs balance. The right potting mix and drainage help. Depending on its stage of maturity, it may need different amounts of water. But it can thrive in most tropical well-draining setups. This is especially true if they have some humidity.
Soil
Monstera Siltepecana thrives in a nutrient-rich potting mix with good drainage capabilities.
As a potential epiphytic climber, it tends to do better in a mix with ample aeration. Something that allows those roots to breathe. A mix of orchid bark and coconut coir can keep water well. It also allows for good airflow and drainage.
Temperature and Humidity
To be honest, Monstera Siltepecana requires typical temperature and humidity levels.
For most people, the average conditions in your home will suffice to keep it happy. Anything above 12°C (54°F) and around 50% humidity is good (and , I don’t know how you cope if your home is colder).
The plant is a tropical sub-epiphyte. It will appreciate any extra humidity and moisture. Humidifiers and pebble trays can help. But, a closed terrarium is the best way to recreate its natural environment and help it thrive.
How to Propagate Monstera Siltepecana
Propagating Monstera Siltepecana is like propagating any other vine. You can do it in water or in a potting mix (such as a sphagnum moss or perlite mix).
Propagating Monstera in Water
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Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut healthy vine sections with a few leaves. Make your cut below a node. Remember, the node is where new leaves and roots emerge, so having a node on your cutting is crucial.
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Place the cutting in a container of room-temperature water. Make sure to submerge the node, but do not let any leaves go below the water surface.
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Put the container in an area with indirect, bright light and change the water weekly. Make sure to top up the water level when it goes down.
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Once your cutting has roots that are about 2 to 3 inches long, you can transplant it into its permanent pot. Plant your cutting in an sized pot with a well-draining mix. Water and then care for it like a normal plant.
Note that the cutting will take some time to acclimate to its new home.
Propagating Monstera Siltepecana in a Potting Mix
To plant your cutting in potting mix instead of water, repeat the general procedure:
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Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut healthy vine sections with a few leaves. Make your cut below a node.
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Instead of placing the cutting in water, plant it into a small pot with a moistened mix. Ensure burying at least one node but no leaves.
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Put the cutting in an area with indirect, bright light and keep the mix moist as roots develop.
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You can also put a clear plastic bag over the top to keep in moisture. But, let it dry out for a few minutes every day or so for air.
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After about a month, you can check if the roots have developed. Gently tug on the cutting. If you feel some resistance, that means roots have formed, and you can start caring for it as a normal plant.
Common Issues with Monstera Siltepecana
Yellowing Leaves
The most common cause of Monstera leaves turning yellowis overwatering. But, underwatering can also trigger it. Always stick your finger into the potting mix. Check the moisture before watering your plant.
Brown Leaf Tips or Edges
This typically indicates that your plant is too dry. Make sure you don’t let your Monstera dry out completely. Extremely dry air can also cause Monstera leaves turning brown. Try using a humidifier if you suspect that’s the culprit.
Monstera Root Rot
While Monstera Siltepecana doesn’t like to be bone-dry, don’t forget to avoid overwatering. Frequent overwatering can lead to root rot. Check out my article on root rot for further guidance on that.
Legginess
This is a common issue with vine plants. Legginess occurs when the stem becomes long and sparse with fewer leaves. It’s usually due to inadequate light—your plant is stretching to access more light. Ensure your plant gets bright indirect light. Trim away the leggy growth if you don’t like how it looks.
Pests
You might encounter pests like mealybugs, scale, spider mites, and aphids. There are methods for each type of pest. But, I recommend “Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control” for prevention. It’s also good for general pest control.
See more: Battling Aphids on Houseplants
Conclusion
Monstera Siltepecana is a lovely and unique plant. It thrives when given the right care. You can create ideal conditions for its growth. Just understand its light, water, soil, and humidity needs. Also, learning to prevent and fix common issues will keep a Monstera Siltepecana in your indoor garden happy and healthy.
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