People often mix the Monstera adansonii with epipremnoides because they look almost identical in many aspects.

To avoid such confusion, you need to spot the defining differences between these two plants.

This article will help you by giving a quick guide regarding the features of Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides. 

Monstera adansonii is different from epipremnoides in the size, color, texture, and perforations of the leaves. Also, there are slight differences in their growth habit, taxonomy, and price. On the other hand, these two plants exhibit resemblances in the root system, petiole, and stem structure.  

Differences Between Monstera Adansonii and Epipremnoides

Say goodbye to the questions stirring on your mind regarding the variety of your Monstera. Here are a few factors that you should look out for to determine whether you are growing an adansonii or epipremnoides.

Taxonomy

Let’s get started with the taxonomic difference between the Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides.

Taxonomy refers to the scientific classification of plants and animals according to their natural relationships.

Though it won’t directly point out any physical difference, the taxonomy can help you understand the reason why Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides are different.

For botanists, taxonomy plays a role in further studies about the growth patterns and care management of plants.

Under the genus of Monstera, there are a lot of cultivars. Monstera adansonii, as well as epipremnoides, are among the most popular variations together with deliciosa, borsigiana, and variegata. In other words, they are part of the same family yet different in type. 

Holes in the Leaves

Monstera attracts people due to its leaves that seem intentionally cut by some delicate hands. Even though all Monstera exhibits this characteristic, you can still notice some differences among each variety.

Monstera adansonii features green leaves with a series of thin holes. These perforations have varying size and shape, but they are usually emerging in a flattened circle or ellipse.

Additionally, full or whole holes is the defining attribute of an adansonii that separates it from the epipremnoides. 

Though Monstera epipremnoides also has holey leaves, the incisions are comparably much larger. The holes occurring in different sizes are often oblong in appearance.

Moreover, the perforations usually extend from near the midrib up to and through the leaf edges. 

In short words, you are taking care of a Monstera adansonii if your plant has leaves with a group of narrow and unbroken holes.

If the leaves of your plant have a pinnatifid look (having broken or separated leaf margin/boundary as with a feather), you are otherwise growing an epipremnoides.

And speaking of holes, you might be wondering if they have vital roles or just for the aesthetics of the plants.

Knowing that Monstera is originally thriving in the rainforest, they use these perforations to cope with environmental extremes like rainfall and strong wind. 

Also, the leaves change as the plant matures. Thus, the foliage of your Monstera might appear entire and almost uncut during its growing phase.

But perforated leaves will eventually grow once your plant reaches its full maturity. 

Foliage Color and Texture

There are also slight differences between the foliage color as well as the texture of Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides. 

Monstera adansonii catches the public’s attention through its leaves that are in a deep and dark shade of green. Looking at them usually gives off the same vibe when you are viewing the fresh and newly growing grass. 

This is in contrast with the foliage color of epipremnoides. The leaves of Monstera epipremnoides emerge in a much lighter tone of green with a yellowish touch.

Though this is the case, this plant will still look gorgeous at home as its foliage is much shiny and glossy. 

Both the Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides have leaves that produce a waxy feel once you touch them.

However, epipremnoides appears to have a thicker and leatherier texture, reportedly. 

You May Also Enjoy: Why Are My monstera adansonii Leaves Turning Yellow? (And Solutions)

Leaf Size

Another attribute that can help you distinguish a Monstera adansonii from epipremnoides, or vice versa, is the size of the leaves. 

Monstera epipremnoides tend to have larger leaf foliage versus the adansonii, in general.

The epipremnoides leaves that sprout in an alternating manner grow up to 13 to 21 inches (33 to 53 cm) long and 13 inches (33 cm) wide. (Source: NC State University)

In some instances, it might seem that the leaves are larger or smaller. Do not be confused, keep in mind that certain factors affect the development of foliage. 

Thus, a Monstera may produce healthier and flourishing leaves if it’s living in a well-conditioned environment.

Furthermore, plants that have grown older usually produce more pronounced leaves than the ones that just started growing. 

Growing Habit

Monstera is known for its vining habit. 

A vine depicts a form of growth based on a long stem that usually twine and wrap around any stuff they reach. Not needing to develop sturdy stems, the vine allows the plant to use its energy for fast growth instead. 

Though these two Monstera have a vining growth habit, adansonii has a more trailing characteristic.

This makes them an excellent choice where people like the effect of pretty and drooping vines.

Adansonii can give a wonderful accent to just any background by putting them on hanging baskets or just letting them extend over a surface.

If you notice that either of your Monstera grows too slow, check whether the plant has bounded roots.

Roots that are creeping out of the drainage holes is a common sign. Repotting and giving amendments to your plant may help alleviate this problem. 

Price

If you didn’t pay a hundred bucks for your plant, you can be pretty much certain that it’s a Monstera adansonii.

Prices of plants may vary significantly according to the place you are living. But, epipremnoides is usually much more expensive, with an amount ranging from $100 to 200$.

The price can even skyrocket more if it’s from a reputable seller or famous store. 

Browsing the Amazon will show you that finding epipremnoides is somehow difficult because of its rarity.

This incident contributes to the consequence of epipremnoides being much pricey compared to the adansonii. 

You May Also Enjoy: Monstera Deliciosa Vs Adansonii (Differences and Similarities)

Similarities Between Monstera Adansonii and Epipremnoides

Check out this list of similarities between Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides to further familiarize yourself with each plant. They have several resemblances because these two have a close relationship. 

Petiole

The petiole is the part of the plant, connected from the vine, that holds the blade of a foliage leaf. For Monstera, their petioles are slender and quite round. 

There are no differences between the leaf stalk appearance and texture of Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides.

Just like the other common plants, their petioles are usually green. You’ll also notice that they have a smooth and even texture if you touch them. 

Additionally, the petiole length of Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides are somewhat similar.

A leafstalk of adansonii grows from 8 to 24 inches (20 cm to 60 cm) long. This is not by far different from epipremnoides with a span of 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm). 

Both the petiole from these Monstera species appear shorter than the leaf it carries. The petioles also tend to vaginate in the base of the lamina.

The formation of the wing sheath at the part where it meets the vine is evident to both plants. 

Root System

Both the Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides have aerial roots. 

Aerial roots are the type that supports a plant in the air. It has another name of adventitious roots because the roots arise sporadically from its usual location, which is the ground. 

Having these kinds of roots is the reason why Monstera can adapt to almost any surrounding. They can widely creep along or mobile up their growing medium. 

Be artistic and grow your Monstera, either adansonii or epipremnoides, somewhere it can use its roots and thrive abundantly. 

Stem Structure

Generally, Monstera plants have a similar stem structure. 

For Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides, their stem is that one long vine that elongates and cling by aerial roots.

It is thick and usually green in color. Apart from that, there’s no other special feature as their stems are not aromatic as well. 

Neither Monstera adansonii nor epipremnoides grow stolon. Stolons refer to the horizontal branch that produces new plants with roots (as in strawberry).

So, if your Monstera grows one, you are dealing with another species or variety. 

The leaves of both the Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides unfurl directly from the vine.

There are nodes along the vine, and these are the spots where the petioles, which hold the leaves, sprout. 

Key Takeaway

Check out these condensed facts about Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides. 

• Contrary to what many believe, Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides are different from one another. They have contrasting features that include taxonomy, growth habit, and price. There are also slight differences in the size, color, texture, as well as perforations of the leaves. 
• Being under the same family of aroids, Monstera adansonii and epipremnoides have many resemblances. These similarities can be seen in their root system, petiole, as well as stem structure.  

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