Monstera aff. epipremnoides (Monstera esqueleto)

Monstera aff. epipremnoides is a quite easy to care for plant which is most commonly grown for its remarkable leaves. This aroid forms oval to egg-shaped leaves that reach a length of around half a meter when the plant is mature. The dark green leaves consist of a diverse pattern of holes for the main part of the surface area. Leaves are formed from the central rhizome which forms aerial roots in between the leaves, to anchor itself to vertical substrates under natural conditions. In exceptional cases, this plant could produce an inflorescence, similar to other aroids which is not that notable. This plant is easily propagated by cuttings taken from the rhizome. Let these cuttings first form normal roots before placing it in the soil.

Monstera aff. epipremnoides originates from tropical forests of Central America, mainly Costa Rica, up to altitudes of 1800 meter. Here, this species grows as a climbing or vining plant up against trees. It is suitable to cultivate in warm living rooms or the larger greenhouses. Mature individuals should be supported by, for example, a moss pole. Cultivate this species in a temperature range from 14 to 30 degrees Celsius, year-round. This plant prefers a relative humidity above 70%. Place this species under bright light conditions; direct sunlight in the morning or evening is tolerated. Pot the plant in an airy, humus-rich soil mixture that retains a lot of water. It is possible to let the soil mixture dry out a bit but prevent the soil from becoming bone dry. Try to avoid soggy conditions as that will suffocate the root system. Fertilize this plant once per month with fertilizer for green plants, according to the recommended dosage.