Monstera adansonii vs. Philodendron is a comparison between two beautiful indoor plants common among homeowners and gardeners. You can hardly tell these plants apart when young because of their stunning, almost similar foliage, which is why they are popular. However, there are notable differences that will help you choose well.
Find out how these plants identify and decide the best, so read on and learn about them in this article.
| Features | Monstera adansonii | Philodendron |
| Leaf color | Broad, evergreen, glossy, and showy leaves | Small, green, velvety leaves. |
| Leaf shape | Heart and oval-shaped leaves with holes | Deep-cut, heart-shaped and round leaves with no holes |
| Plant size | Six to eight feet tall with a width of two feet | Grows one to three feet in height and one to six feet in width |
| Flowers | Small, green-white flowers | No flowers |
| Fruits | White edible berries | It doesn’t bear fruits |
| Stem | Thick, long, sprawling stem | Greenish brown stem |
Contents
What Are the Differences Between Monstera Adansonii and Philodendron?
The difference between Monstera adansonii and Philodendron is they are different plant genera. Monstera adansonii is taller and can grow up to eight feet with heart-shaped leaves, having little white and green flowers. Whereas Philodendron is three feet tall with rounded leaves that don’t have holes and don’t have flowers.
You can also differentiate the two plants through their leaf size, structure, and texture. While both are evergreen and showy, those of Monstera are glossy and have holes, while Philodendrons’ foliage are deeply cut or split without holes and has a velvety look. Also, Monsteras have smooth flat leaves, while Philodendron foliage is ruffled, so physically, you could see that they are plants with variations in how they look.
Other key differences are visible when the plant matures, and for this, you can hardly compare Baby Monstera vs. Philodendron because they have similar features. For example, mature Monsteras produce tiny, beautiful green-white flowers that later bear white edible berries. If you like watching plants bloom, you won’t experience it with philodendrons when you like to also know about the difference in maintaining them through philodendron vs monster care.
Exploring Features, Care Guide, And Uses of Monstera Adansonii
Monstera Adansonii is a plant that is best grown indoors. It has heart-shaped and glossy leaves that have holes in them as they grow; they may have little flowers blooming. Since they are native to Central America, they often grow requiring a humid environment just like their original region.
It is also called the Swiss cheese plant, thanks to its leaves that resemble Swiss cheese. This plant is famously known for the holes that it has in them, and for such a reason, they tend to add a tropical aesthetic to the place where they are located indoors.
Monstera adansonii is closely related to Monstera deliciosa, and the two share the name Swiss-cheese plant because of their split leaf. The plant’s leaf shape, size, and texture are why it is popular among gardeners because it looks close to the monster obliqua plant.
Besides, these plants are easy to care for. They can stay for days without watering and require average tropical temperatures and indirect sunlight to grow healthy leaves. Monstera care tips are also few and easy to follow, so be assured of having a happy and healthy plant.
– Leaf Texture and Color
The Swiss cheese plant has dark green, heart-shaped foliage with a glossy surface. The shiny texture is due to the concentration of chloroplasts in the upper layers to help the flower trap sunlight. Besides that, this glossy texture enhances the beauty of this plant, hence its popularity.
Another reason homeowners and gardeners choose these plants over other plants is because they are always green. This keeps the home and office aesthetically pleasing, especially if you invest in variegated monster plants.
However, how you care for the plant will affect its leaf color. For example, leaves turning yellow and having brown spots indicate overwatering a Monstera. Too much water causes root rot, reducing the nutrients and oxygen reaching the leaves. They will later start to turn yellow, droop, and die; unfortunately, you cannot reverse this damage.
But you can stop the damage from spreading to other leaves by easing the watering. You should trim the yellow leaves and remove the dead or gray roots to be able to reserve the . Ensure you replant the flower in new soil and pour little water a few days apart.
– Leaf Size and Shape
Monsteras have broad evergreen leaves, making them showy and easy to spot. The foliage can mature to a height of up to six inches long and six inches wide, with a heart-shaped, oval, or round shape. The giant leaves capture sunlight effectively for photosynthesis.
Another distinctive feature of the monstera adansonii is its dissected leaf blade with perforations. The holes develop more as the plant grows, and the primary purpose of the perforation is to filter sunlight. The young Monstera does not have distinctive holes, making it hard to distinguish from philodendrons.
The perforations also help the plant to resist high winds by allowing the breeze to pass through them. Monstera adansonii keeps the full edges, so the holes in the leaves don’t extend to the edges to make indentations, which is a difference you will notice in Monstera deliciosa vs. Monstera adansonii.
– Flowers And Fruits
The joy of having a monster plant is seeing their plants bloom. If this describes you, monsteras are an excellent choice because they bloom beautiful white-green flowers. However, you must be patient with the flowering because it happens after two to three years wheen the right care is being given to it.
The flowers are small with a tiny hint of purple, making them visually appealing and noticeable to visitors. Outdoor-grown monsteras are likely to bloom earlier than home-grown ones because they are exposed to the most optimal climatic conditions and this is who they will expend their growth and bloom. These flowers mature to produce delicious fruits like the monstera deliciosa.
The plant’s growth habit is climbing. Monsteras have aerial roots, which help them to attach to other trees’ barks and spread to other areas. The vines can also climb walls and make a good scene when planted on a hanging basket. And when they start flowering, you will have more beautiful scenery.
– Light Needs
Philodendron adansonii care is easy because it is not demanding on the light requirements. The plant can survive in indirect bright sunlight, meaning you can keep it in a corner and leave it to thrive. Because it grows under the large canopy in the tropical forest, the indirect light is enough.
Direct bright sun burns the delicate leaves and can cause them to turn color. Therefore, don’t hang the plant in an area directly hit by the sun. You can also expose it to the low-intensity morning sun and let it rest in the shade for the rest of the day.
– Watering Requirements
Monsteras are happier when the owner can find a balance of moisture and dryness. The plant prefers moist but not soaked soil and will show ugly signs of dryness. Before watering, always test the soil moisture by sticking a finger into the ground for about an inch deep; this is a simple way to keep the plant properly watered.
Avoid overwatering the Monstera at all costs, and this is because too much water causes root rot, resulting in the leaves turning yellow, and reversing this issue will take a great deal of time, and at times, it is impossible. On the other hand, when there is too little water can also cause the plant to start drying, leaving an unpleasant sight.
– Temperature And Humidity
The Swiss cheese plant grows in the tropical, and providing them with a climate resembling the jungle is wise. The plant does well in high temperatures, so if you can find a room with plenty of heat, that would be perfect. However, don’t let the temperatures exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit, or they will scorch the plant.
You should also protect it from drafts and too-low temperatures. Keep it away from broken windows and cold rooms like the bathroom unless it is warm and well-lit. You can mimic the jungle’s temperatures during winter by using a furnace and trying to increase the warmth surrounding it.
You also need high humidity to keep your cheese plant happy. Maintaining humidity levels above 50 percent will be ideal. If you find it challenging to achieve the required percentage, boost the humidity levels by misting the plant or using a humidifier.
Avoid leaving water on the leaves when misting because they become a breeding zone for pests and infections. Alternatively, you can increase humidity naturally by growing the plants closer together.
– Uses
Homeowners prefer Monsteras to other plants because of their aesthetic benefits. The climbing plant can brighten a dull home or office corner while purifying air pollutants, and if you want to see it grow even better you can provide support like adding a moss pole. The plants are also packed with vitamins B and C, a remedy for cough and fever, which are great benefits.
Exploring Features, Care Guide, And Uses of Philodendron
The philodendron plant is a beautiful foliage flower that grows in the humid tropical forests in South America. This plant is one that can grow three feet in height and six in width; however, it never bears fruit or flowers when it’s growing.
The common philodendrons are heartleaf philodendrons, split-leaf philodendrons, and climbing philodendrons. They are common among gardeners because of their easy maintenance and the beautiful small green velvety leaves. On another note, most varieties do not flower, so this might not be a perfect flowering plant if you fancy gorgeous blooms, as they would also look different from the Thai constellation variation of the same plant.
– Leaf Texture and Color
Most plant growers choose a philodendron over other plants because of the beautiful leaves. They are tiny, green, and have a velvety look. The upper surface is shiny, making them attractive and easily noticeable, but the underneath is light green.
Philodendron leaves stay green all year unless there is water deficiency or overwatering. Other types of this plant with their varieties have coppery, red, and purplish leaves with parallel veins.
– Leaf Size and Shape
Although philodendron leaves are smaller, they don’t go unnoticed. They are famous for their deep slits, which form several marginated lobes without perforations. In fact, you can compare Monstera vs. Philodendron by looking at the leaves, as there are also ones that resemble closely with their leaf shape, and this is why it can be known as Philodendron Swiss cheese plant.
Another beauty of philodendron leaves is their shape. They have a heart shape, hence their name; heartleaf yet it is steady with its green and brown colored stems. However, the leaf shape also varies depending on the philodendron species and the plant size.
– Water Requirements
Philodendrons are easy to care for plants because they don’t require constant irrigation. However, you must keep them happy by following a proper watering schedule to ensure moist soil.
Underwatering and overwatering philodendrons can cause a disaster like a leaf drooping, yellowing, and root rot. One way to know whether to water the soil is if the topsoil has dried. Ensure the container is perforated to allow extra water to exit from the drainage holes so they don’t stay in the roots.
– Temperature And Humidity
Philodendrons grow in tropical forests, so they do well in areas as warm as the tropics. Provide temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the plant growing. If kept indoors, protect the plants from drafts by keeping them away from broken windows and open doors.
If your rooms are cold, heat them with a heater, but don’t put the plant too close to the device to avoid scorching the leaves. You can keep your outdoor-grown philodendrons inside the house to prevent freezing temperatures during winter because, in this range, the plant will not be growing in such a healthy way.
These plants also appreciate high humidity, like that of the tropics. If your home does not have enough moisture, boost the levels using a humidifier. You can also use mist the plant with water to keep the leaves wet but wipe the leaves to avoid infections.
– Sunlight
Philodendrons grow well in partial or indirect sunlight. This is because they grow underneath a canopy in the forest, so they get filtered sun. You should keep them away from spots that receive direct sunlight in the house to avoid scorching the leaves.
Also, avoid placing the plant in a dark room because too little light causes leggy growth. You can bring the plant out to get the morning sun. It is less intense and safe.
– Uses
You will also consider how these plants are perfect ones for increasing the home’s aesthetics. They stay green all year and have beautiful leaf variegation. These plants also give their owners an easy time because they are easy to care for.
Besides, philodendron split leaf plants improve the home’s air quality through gaseous exchange. They suck carbon dioxide and release oxygen to the room, improving sleep and reducing stress.
Conclusion
Philodendron and monster plants belong to the same family but differ, as seen in this review. First, monsteras have huge green and glossy leaves with holes, while Philodendron’s foliage is tiny, with a velvety green top and deep slit.
However, there is no significant difference between Philodendron vs. Monstera care, so you can’t use maintenance requirements to compare them. If you are torn between the two, choose monstera adansonii if you like flowers, although combined, you would have the philodendron adansonii laniata which is also a beautiful variation. However, if you want a beautiful plant with small leaves, Philodendron will be a perfect choice.
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