Is your Monstera a deliciosa or adansonii? To know which variety is your plant, you have to identify one from another through their discerning features. This article will help by showing the difference and similarities between the two.
Monstera deliciosa is different from an adansonii in growing habit, plant height, and price. There are also significant differences in the perforations, size, as well as edges of the leaf. Meanwhile, these two plants are identical in some aspects as can be seen in their stem structure, roots system, and propagation.
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Differences Between the Monstera Deliciosa and Adansonii
Do not be misled by the numerous false advertisements out there, whether intentional or not. Here are a few factors that will help you recognize the Monstera adansonii and deliciosa.
Size of the Leaf
One of the most significant differences that separate a Monstera deliciosa from adansonii is the size of the leaves.
In general, adansonii has comparably smaller leaves versus the deliciosa. The ovate leaves of adansonii can only grow 25 to 70 cm (10 to 30 in) in length.
While its lamina roughly expands to a width that is ranging from 15 to 45 cm (6 to 18 in) wide.
Meanwhile, deliciosa stands out with glossy and green leaves that seem gigantic most of the time.
Its leaves typically emerge with the dimensions of 25-90 cm (10-35 in) long and 25-70 cm (10-30 in) wide. Leaves can even reach 100 cm (40 in) or more in its natural habitat.
Keep in mind that the leaf size varies under certain circumstances. Thus, plant leaves may appear big in favored conditions with adequate water, sunlight, and fertilizer. Otherwise, leaves may emerge smaller.
Hole in the Leaves
A second distinguishing feature is the holes between the Monstera deliciosa and adansonii. The holes from these two varieties have contrasting sizes, shapes, and numbers. (Source: International Aroid Society)
The perforations on adansonii tend to be a bit narrow with varying shapes that are generally elliptical.
Though smaller, the series of holes occurs more frequently on each side of the leaf midrib. One leaf of adansonii can acquire as many as 8 to 16 holes.
Deliciosa, on the other hand, has quite larger perforations that measure 0.5 to 0.8 cm long.
These holes are generally semi-round and oblong in appearance. Moreover, the deliciosa has fewer holes, which ranges from 1 to 5 on each side of a leaf.
So, if a Monstera has a cluster of thin and whole incisions, you can pretty much be certain that it’s an adansonii.
Meanwhile, if your plant has a less impressive number of holes, it seems that you have deliciosa.
Just keep in mind that the perforations in the leaves develop as the Monstera matures. So, a younger plant might appear almost uncut during its juvenile stage.
Edges of the Leaves
Apart from the size and the holes of the leaves, the edges of the Monstera deliciosa and adansonii leaves are also unalike.
Adansonii is like those typical plants with smooth edges. Moreover, its leaves will give a straight and uninterrupted path, if you trace it at both sides.
This is different from the deliciosa. Since deliciosa has perforations existing in between the primary leaf veins that extend near the midrib to the edges, there will be gaps. Though smooth, the leaf boundary will appear irregular and lopsided.
Geniculum
The most unique feature that only the Monstera deliciosa has lies in its geniculum. Geniculum refers to the part of the plant that joins a leaf to a petiole or stem.
Once the deliciosa grows and reaches semi- or full maturity, it will develop ruffles.
Both the sides of the upper leaf base will become wavy and intricate. This curvy feature is like a plant muscle that provides flexibility, for an instance, to move along the wind.
In contrast to deliciosa, adansonii will never develop a wrinkly geniculum, may it be during their initial or mature stage. The joint that connects its petiole to a leaf will always be straight and sleek.
Growth Habit
The growth habit of Monstera may also help you distinguish a deliciosa from adansonii.
A monstera deliciosa has a sprawling growth habit. This plant tends to crawl profusely and expand its stems along with their place. They climb slowly but they tend to vine eventually.
Compared to deliciosa, adansonii has a more trailing quality. This makes them remarkable as the favorite Monstera in hanging baskets because they extend and hang down. They also loosely grow over a surface that makes them a good pick in training around a stand.
If your plant has a vining characteristic and droops toward the ground, you probably have an adansonii. Meanwhile, you may be growing a deliciosa at home if your plant loves to creep horizontally.
Plant Height
If the plant in your home looks cute and petite, there is a high possibility that you own a Monstera adansonii.
An adansonii vines with a length that is only ranging from 2 to 6 meters (7 to 20 feet). This is by far smaller than the deliciosa that can reach 9 meters (30 feet). The deliciosa may even reach a taller height in its natural habitat. (Source: University of Florida)
But you have to remember that plant growth and development may vary depending on certain factors.
So, comparing two plants grown under a similar time and conditions may be a better way to establish the differences.
Price
If you didn’t pay several bucks for your plant, you probably own a Monstera adansonii.
Deliciosa, compared to an adansonii, is much pricey. The market sells deliciosa in amounts ranging from 20$ to 100$. This price may even soar up depending on the plant size and number of leaves.
You can browse Amazon and try to discern the deliciosa from adansonii, and vice versa, just by looking at the prices.
Similarities Between Monstera Deliciosa and Adansonii
In this section, we are going to tackle some of the similar features between a Monstera deliciosa and adansonii. Unsurprisingly, these two have identical characteristics because they both belong to the same aroid family of plants.
Stem Structure
Though Monstera adansonii and deliciosa do not have the same height, their stems have resemblances.
Deliciosa is similar to adansonii as they both have one long stem that develops numerous nodes. Both of them do not grow stolons unlike the other Monstera varieties such as obliqua. Stolons are runners that emerge from a stem, take new roots, and grow fresh plants.
The Monstera deliciosa and adansonii just continually grow and develop new petioles through the nodes. These round-like spots that appear green or brown exist along the stem.
Aside from that, you’ll interestingly find that the gaps existing between the nodes of deliciosa and adansonii measure almost the same.
Each internode of deliciosa measures 4 to 10 cm (1.5 to 4 in) long. This is not by far different from the node spaces of an adansonii with 3 to 10 cm (1 to 4 in) length.
In short, the deliciosa and adansonii both grow new stalks just along their stem. Moreover, their vines exhibit similar appearances, with peduncles that are a bit distant from one another.
Root System
Another feature that is identical to both the Monstera deliciosa and adansonii is their root structure.
Monstera deliciosa and adansonii have an aerial root system. This kind of root that emerges from a location of plant stem is above the surface of a growing medium or soil.
Like the other roots, it has similar functions such as absorbing water, dissolving minerals, as well as storing food.
But apart from the basic purposes, aerial roots give the plant the ability to attach and anchor to certain things like a tree, wall, or stack.
This is the reason why the Monstera can vine, with roots that eventually become partially or fully exposed to the air. These roots help them stabilize and keep them from falling.
Roots develop with age of these plants. So, you may only notice the aerial roots coming out from both monstera deliciosa, and adansonii, as they age and flourish.
Propagation
Originating from the same genus, you can propagate both the Monstera deliciosa and adansonii in similar ways.
You can grow new Monstera in a couple of ways. These methods include those by seeds, suckers, tissue culture, and stem cuttings.
Doing the most common way, which is stem cutting, of growing new Monstera is easy. Initially you need to find a node.
Then, snip the stem that includes this node at once with a clear and sharp shear. Then, place this cutting in a glass jar filled with clean water.
In a few weeks or so, you’ll gradually see a few roots that are emerging out of the stem. Now, you have successfully propagated your Monstera.
Growing Requirements
In the following lines, you will know some of the basic yet most important plant care tips for the Monstera. You will also notice that the growing requirement for both the deliciosa and adansonii is similar.
Soil
Monstera thrives best in a well-draining potting mix. Both the deliciosa and adansonii like a growing medium that drains water just right yet still hold a considerable amount of moisture.
Adding organic amendments, such as cured manures or compost clippings, will also boost plant growth and development.
Container
Pick a container that is 2 to 4 inches bigger in diameter than the compact mass found in the plant roots. This pot will reduce the risks of root bounding that may interrupt the plant nutrient uptake.
Likewise, this will prevent overwatering that can lead to root rot. Furthermore, repot the Monstera once it outgrows its pot, which is usually manifested in the roots that creep out of the drainage holes.
Light
A place that is receiving partial sunlight is the best spot to grow Monstera. Even though they can tolerate direct sunlight, do not leave them for more than 6 hours outdoors as they might acquire sunburns.
In addition, never keep your Monstera in dark places as poor lighting conditions will interrupt photosynthesis process.
Water
Monstera belongs to the group of plants that craves water only in a medium amount. So, allow 2 to 3 inches of soil from the topmost layer to dry before watering again.
You have to be extra careful not to overwater either your Monstera deliciosa or adansonii. This is because they are prone to root disease, especially during winter.
Pruning
Aside from improving plant aesthetics, pruning also promotes the health of Monstera. Using sterile shears or scissors, remove the dead, damaged, and infested parts of the plant.
While late spring and early summer are the preferred time to prune Monstera, you can still trim them any time of the year, as necessary.
Temperature
Monstera prefers an average warm temperature that is ranging from 60ºF to 80º (16ºC to 27ºC). Be careful not to keep them in too hot places as some of the plant processes like transpiration might malfunction.
The same goes for the places with cold temperatures that drop below 45ºF (7ºC), plants may acquire cold damage and frost injury. In the worst scenario, your monstera can die.
Key Takeaways
Here are the condensed three factors that you must know about Monstera. These will mainly revolve around their growing requirements, similarities as well as differences.
- While deliciosa and adansonii are both from the genus of Monstera, they are different. These differences manifest in some of their features that include leaf size and edges, perforations, geniculum, growth habit, plant height, as well as the price.
- Monstera deliciosa and adansonii also have identical attributes such as stem structure, root system, and ways of propagation. This is because they belong to the same genus of the aroid family.
- The growing requirements of the Monstera deliciosa and adansonii are similar for most of the time. For flourishing growth, they should receive a sufficient amount of water and light. The right soil, container, temperature, and pruning will also promote plant growth.