Caring for a Monstera Pinnatipartita
If you have been wondering if you should invest in a monstera Pinnatipartita…
Spoiler alert: You should.
Although I tend to find all monstera plants to be absolutely breathtaking, this one just does something special!
With its quickly growing roots, fenestrated leaves, and stunning lime to dark green color, the monstera Pinnatipartita certainly is a showstopper.
But, if you want to keep it happy, you do need to prioritize its care. Let’s look at some tips to use when adding this plant to your collection!
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I do receive a small commission if you purchase a product using my link, with no addition cost to you!*
History & Common Names of the Monstera Pinnatipartita
Before diving into the ins and outs of this plant, let’s look at its history and names.
The monstera Pinnatipartita is a plant native to Central America and tropical areas of South America.
It is also often referred to as a swiss cheese plant, due to the pock-like holes that form when it matures.
The monstera Pinnatipartita may also be called a hurricane plant, which was awarded this name because of its durability despite damage from hurricanes.
Monstera Pinnatipartita Leaves
The monstera Pinnatipartita is unique, boasting some special features that set it apart from other species.
As the leaves begin to come out, they appear to be a light lime color. Once they begin to unfurl, they are an eye-catching, bright lime. But, after they start to harden off, they naturally grow into a bit of a deeper green with a thick, gritty texture.
The foilage of the monstera Pinnatipartita also becomes fenestrated throughout maturity. If you want to reach more fenestrations within your plant, give it more indirect light.
Monstera Pinnatipartita Care
If you have purchased, or are wanting to purchase this plant, there are a few things to keep in mind. Here is exactly how I care for my monstera Pinnatipartita plants!
Plant Lighting
How much light your monstera Pinnatipartita needs will vary based upon what stage of growth it is in. New seedlings need to be placed under medium to bright indirect sunlight.
Covering the plant with a humidity tray or terrarium can help nurse them along through those initial stages as well.
As the plant matures (the leafy portion), a bright, indirect light works best. A south-facing window is perfect; but be sure to keep it away from direct sunlight!
As the stems grow taller and thicker, more lighting will be needed. This part of the plant does better in brighter light and even partial sun. But, the leaves may burn if left in too much direct sunlight.
When using a grow light, make sure that the light source is kept at least 6 inches from the plant’s leaves! Any closer can stop photosynthesis which could slowly kill your plant over time.
Watering
In general, you should try to water your monstera plant as soon as the soil feels dry to the touch.
But, in order to avoid over-watering, make sure that the potting soil is dry a few inches deep before watering — just give it a poke and see how deep it needs to be!
The best time to water your monstera plant will also depend on the location.
If you have it in a relatively sunny area with warmer temperatures, you can probably get away with watering less often than if it’s in a shady and cool area.
I recommend watering once every three to five days in warmer months; and once every four to seven days during cooler times.
Of course, these are just guidelines – you know your own plant best.
Humidity
Although this plant does alright in low humidity, it will definitely thrive in higher humidity. Not only will the leaves be softer to touch, prettier to look at, and easier to unfurl, but you may also notice more frequent leaf movement and even growth.
The best way to increase humidity is by adding a humidifier to the area. (If you don’t have one, here’s a good one you can grab from Amazon.)
But, there are a few other ideas to try if using a humidifier is out of the question.
To increase humidity, try placing a tray of pebbles beneath the pot and then filling it with water. Make sure you change it every day! You can even use a continuous spray bottle like this to mist your plant occasionally.
Misting can also be used to increase airflow circulation through the plant as well. Because, if you have been keeping your monstera in a very humid area, you may start to notice pink or brown spots on the leaves where they begin to rot and fall off! This is because the leaves are not getting enough oxygen.
If you choose to mist your leaves, make sure you aren’t soaking them, or the soil, to ensure you avoid rot. Using a continuous mister like this is your best best.
Soil
The best potting soil to use for a monstera plant is one that drains well. To increase drainage, I make my soil with 1/3 potting soil, 1/3 orchid bark, and 1/3 perlite.
It can also be a mix of peat moss, perlite and sand, or even just pure peat moss.
Mixing this with composted forest humus (that contains plenty of minerals) will also work wonderfully. There are some soils specifically made for orchids that will work well, but you may have to try a few brands to find one that the plant thrives in.
I actually keep my ‘mama’ plant in LECA, which are small, clay pebbles. To use, you keep about 1/4 water at the bottom, which allows the LECA to wick up water and moisture when needed.
When repotting your plant, it’s always recommended to give new plants an adjustment period before changing their soil mixture. A 50/50 mix of new potting soil and the old mixture is usually fine for this adjustment period.
It’s also good to remember that some potting soils can burn your plant if they are too acidic or alkaline.
Always check the labels on these ingredients to see how they work for your monstera. You might be surprised!
Pests and Diseases
The biggest problem that monstera growers encounter is pests and diseases. Luckily, there are lots of ways to prevent these problems from happening.
To keep pests in check, avoid over-watering your plant – at least while you’re getting it used to its new environment! This will also help prevent fungus gnat infestations by keeping your plant’s soil fresh and clean.
You should always inspect new plants before purchasing them for pests – look closely at the leaves, trunk and soil to make sure that these critters aren’t hiding. If your plant has pests, use this guide on how to treat them.
To prevent or control diseases, keep plants away from drafts and doorways that are frequently entered by people (to avoid spreading infectious fungi). Humidity should also be maintained at ~50% or above.
Propagating a Monstera Pinnatipartita
The good news is, propagating a monstera pinnatipartita plant is not at all difficult. It can be done by rooting stem cuttings in water until they are ready for potting; and by sowing seeds directly into pots.
When using this method, make sure you have a node for your plant to root from. Without this, there won’t be anywhere for roots to form. And, if roots can’t form, a new plant can’t be made.
They can also be propagated through air layering. However, this method is usually only used for the mature species.
Where to Buy a Monstera Pinnatipartita
You can buy monstera pinnatipartita plants online, but not usually from big box stores. To find them in your area, try searching at botanical gardens, nurseries or even local hardware stores that sell houseplants.
But the easiest way to get one is to order online . There are lots of companies that sell monstera plants, but these are my favorite places to purchase rare plants…
- Etsy
- Facebook Plant Groups
- Botanicarus
Enjoy Your Monstera Pinnatipartita
Buying and owning a Monstera Pinnatipartita can be an easy process, but there are some key points to keep in mind.
Make sure your plant gets bright and indirect light, low to high humidity, and water when the soil is dry.
Thanks for checking out this article for more information about the plant itself, how it grows best in different environments, common pests that may affect your monstera Pinnatipartitas’s health or appearance (and how to deal with them), and much more!
If you’re interested in buying one of these plants online, make sure you know which company has been vetted by experts so that you receive a healthy specimen. This way, your new purchase will grow into its full potential without any risk of disease or pest infestation – enjoy!
FAQ:
Is the Monstera Pinnatipartita hard to take care of?
I wouldn’t say this is any harder than your typical monstera plants.
Is this plant pet safe?
The monstera Pinnatipartita is toxic to animals. Keep it away from your fur babies or they can risk detrimental sickness.
Related articles:
Caring for a Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma
Signing off,
xoxo.
*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I do receive a small commission if you purchase a product using my link, with no addition cost to you!*
