How to Grow and Care for Monstera Peru

Monstera Peru is an epiphyte that has an upward, vining growth habit and uniquely puckered thick dark green foliage. Monstera Peru is a slow-growing, low-maintenance plant, requiring less light and water than other species in the Monstera genus. It requires bright, indirect sunlight, airy and well-draining acidic soil, and temperatures between 60°F to 85°F. Since it is a species of monstera, the monstera Peru is considered toxic to dogs, cats, and humans, similar to its cousins the Monstera deliciosa and Monstera adansonii.

What Is an Epiphyte?

An epiphyte is a type of plant that derives moisture and nutrients from the air and often grows on other plants. However, epiphytes only grow on other plants for support and are not considered parasitic.

Monstera Peru Care

This rare monstera is surprisingly easy to grow indoors. Its care differs from other monstera species, so make sure you know its main care requirements to keep it happy:

• Avoid putting this plant in direct sunlight and only provide indirect but bright light.
• Use only airy, well-draining soil mix.
• Let the plant dry out completely between waterings.
• Provide a monstera Peru with a support to climb, such as a moss pole or trellis, or let the vining foliage trail downwards in a hanging planter.
• Maintain a warm, humid environment for this tropical plant.

Light

Surprisingly, the monstera Peru does not require much light to thrive indoors. A north-facing window that receives several hours of bright, indirect light is perfect for these tropical understory plants. Avoid locations that receive direct sunlight as the thick leaves of the monstera Peru are easily susceptible to sunburn and scorching.

Soil

As an epiphyte, the monstera Peru does best in rich, airy, well-draining soil. A mixture of one part coco coir, one part orchid bark, and one part perlite provides the perfect amount of drainage, moisture retention, and nutritional content for these monsteras.

Water

The thick leaves of the monstera Peru make this monstera species more drought tolerant than many of its cousins, and it should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings. This monstera should not be allowed to sit in wet soil for an extended period as it is susceptible to root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Monstera Peru is native to the tropical regions of Peru and requires warm, humid temperatures to survive. Ideally, keep temperatures between 60 to 85 degrees and choose a naturally humid location—such as the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. Alternatively, you can increase humidity around the plant by placing a pebble tray beneath the pot or putting a humidifier nearby.

Fertilizer

Monstera Peru appreciates regular fertilization with a mild, balanced fertilizer throughout the spring and summer months. Apply the fertilizer once every three to four weeks during watering, following product label instructions. Avoid fertilizing your monstera Peru during the winter when the plant goes into dormancy.

Pruning

Monstera Peru can become leggy when left unpruned. Pruning will encourage new growth while controlling the plant's size, as well. When pruning, use a disinfected cutting tool to cut leggy stems. When removing leggy vines, cut above a node (leave the node on the plant) because that's where new growth will appear.

Propagating Monstera Peru

Propagate a monstera Peru by stem cuttings. Propagating is a great way to start or fill out existing plants by replanting the newly rooted cuttings into the original pot. Follow these simple steps to propagate your monstera Peru.

1. Identify the part of the stem where you will take the cutting. Each cutting should have three to four nodes along the stem for the best chance of success.
2. Cut directly below a node using a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears.
3. Remove the bottom one to two leaves from the stem cutting to expose the nodes along the stem, leaving one to two leaves on the top of the cutting.
4. Fill a small glass or vase with water and place the cutting in the water, ensuring that the exposed nodes along the stem are submerged in water while the top leaves remain above the water.
5. Place the cutting in a location that receives medium to bright indirect light, and change the water once a week to help prevent rotting.
6. Watch for small white roots growing from the nodes below the water after a few weeks. Once the roots reach at least an inch, you can transfer the cutting back to the soil by planting the cutting in a pre-moistened, well-draining soil mixture.

Potting and Repotting Monstera Peru

The monstera Peru doesn't like to be root-bound, so it may be repotted every two or three years. Look for roots poking out of the pot's drainage holes as the main clue that it needs repotting. Repot in the spring or summer when it's in its growth period (it causes less stress to the plant) and use a container one size up with plenty of drainage holes.

Common Pests

The monstera Peru is susceptible to many common houseplant pests, particularly fungus gnats, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, and whiteflies. Regularly inspecting the plant for signs of pests is the best way to prevent an infestation. If you notice signs of pests on your monstera Peru, isolate it from your other houseplants and treat it with the appropriate insecticide until the infestation has subsided.

Common Problems With Monstera Peru

The monstera Peru is a low-maintenance houseplant that is relatively problem-free. However, there are a few common problems that you may encounter as you learn to care for these tropical plants indoors.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves are usually an indication that your plant is not receiving enough sunlight or that your plant is overwatered. Ensure your monstera Peru gets several hours of bright, indirect light daily. It should never be placed more than a couple of feet away from a bright, sunny window otherwise it may begin to show signs of distress such as yellowing leaves. Avoid overwatering your plant by waiting until the soil has dried completely before watering again.

Faded Leaves

Pale, faded leaves can mean that your plant is receiving too much sunlight and can sometimes be accompanied by scorched or sun-bleached spots on the leaves. Avoid exposing your monstera Peru to any extended period of direct sunlight. Remember that these monsteras do not require as much light as other species of monster, such as the deliciosa or adansonii.

Dropping Leaves

If your monstera Peru is dropping leaves, it is likely either overwatered or underwatered. If it is overwatered, you should also notice stems that look wilted or rotted and soil that stays moist for an extended period. If it is underwatered, you may notice that the leaves have crispy edges or that the soil is dry and compacted.

Leggy Vines

Leggy vines (longer stems with fewer leaves) could mean the plant needs more light. Prune off the leggy portions. Give the plant either more hours in indirect bright light or slightly brighter light (not direct sunlight, however).

From: thespruce