Monstera Subpinnata: What it is + How to Care For It

topview image of monstera subpinnata

The Monstera subpinnata is an attractive and appealing Monstera variety that grows well in many situations. Understanding Monstera subpinnata care can help you grow and propagate this planet and improve your indoor or outdoor garden.


Intro

Monstera plants provide a unique array of different looks and styles that can transform your garden in many ways.

For example, Monstera subpinnata, an Ecuadorian implant, can reach 30-feet tall in the wild and tops out at about six feet indoors, as long as regularly trim it. Their leaves are about one foot long and eight inches wide, making them a fascinating and attractive vine plant option for those who want one.

One of the best things about this plant is its ease of growing. If you've taken care of any Monstera plants or similar house plants, you should have no trouble with this variety of Monstera plants. However, you will need to understand how to care for a potted plant, whether this plant needs bright indirect light or direct sunlight, and what you can do to prevent stunted growth with this planet.


Monstera Subpinnata Plant Care Overview

Monstera subpinnata in a pot

In this section, you'll learn things about general Monstera subpinnata care. You'll know what to do about soggy soil and how to maintain this plant's leaves. Other steps include whether patio and indoor containers work for this plant, how to spot yellowing leaves, and much more.

You'll also learn how to start healthy growth with this plant and how well a stem cutting grows into beautiful plants in your patio zone.


Monstera Subpinnata Care

When starting your Monstera subpinnata care, it is essential to follow these steps when in a potted juvenile state and beyond. Beyond that, you also need to focus on Monstera subpinnata ground cover indoors and outdoors and decide whether bright indirect sunlight is best for your plant. You also need to know about stem cutting and how things like neem oil help this plant stay healthy.



Position and Humidity

A hand holding thermometer

A healthy Monstera subpinnata is a tropical plant similar to other Monstera species. As a result, it typically needs careful positioning, lighting, and humidity to grow properly.

They generally do best in bright indirect sunlight that mimics a rainforest canopy. Most Monstera species thrive in these canopy settings, which is true of the Monstera subpinnata. As a result, it is typically great to place this plant in moist soil in hanging baskets near an east-facing window. Here, the sun you get before 10 a.m.

This light is best for this species because it can encourage growth over a few weeks and help your favorite hanging planter grow. You can also tend to aerial roots more efficiently this way, ensuring that you don't run into root rot.

While south- or west-facing windows might work in a pinch, you must put your plant a few feet away so that the bright indirect light doesn't damage its leaves. That's because the UV rays will be more intense afternoon and could damage this plant. Monstera subpinnata care may also include a full-spectrum lamp that brings UV rays to your plant throughout the day.

As for humidity, these plants require regular moisture in a space with humidity over 50%. Therefore, misting the plant regularly is a good idea to place it on a humidity tray.

These growing conditions should stimulate this plant's growth rate by emulating its natural habitat in a few weeks. However, paying attention to other factors beyond indirect sunlight is essential because this plant requires far more than great water and light to thrive.


Temperature

temperature monitor attached on a wall

The Monstera subpinnata is a tropical plant, and your Monstera subpinnata care requires you to keep their temperatures between 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Never let these plants get below 60, or they might suffer.

However, indirect sunlight can help, as can a heater blowing indirectly on the plant to avoid drying out its leaves and to keep it humid and healthy.


Watering

Hand spraying water on a monstera plant

Most Monstera subpinnata plants grow best in reasonably damp but not saturated soil. Soggy soil might cause root rot, a common plant disease that can cause many long-term health issues with your plants.

A skilled Monstera subpinnata care method focuses on providing bright indirect sunlight for your Monstera subpinnata plant and keeping it in a properly wet state.

It's not a bad idea to add some drainage holes to your plant in the early spring before they start sprouting. Doing so helps make it easier to water your plant daily, if necessary. Well-draining soil also helps to improve this plant's health and may even provide faster growth for any plants brought indoors for the winter.

Typically, you want to water your Monstera subpinnata when the top few soil inches are dry to the touch. If you don't have a moisture meter, buy one and press it into well-draining soil around your plant. When the meter reads between three to four, you need to water your Monstera subpinnata to help it grow. This unique meter can also measure light levels and soil pH, significantly benefiting Monstera subpinnata care for serious plant growers.

When watering your plant during the spring and summer months, slowly pour water on top of the soil until it just starts to drain out the bottom. Empty these drainage trays as soon as possible or let your plant drain out in a bathtub or sink to improve your Monstera subpinnata care.

You may need to add more water during the winter months when there's low light or if you have plants on the northern end of your home. Actively growing plants may also need high humidity and more light, though this may vary depending on the months you're growing.

Summer months often have higher heat, and your Monstera subpinnata may require more water and light. Pay attention to your plant's foliage, especially during spring and summer, and change your watering schedule accordingly. Also, plan for lower light conditions in spring and later fall, during which the Monstera subpinnata may still thrive.

Typically, you don't water your Monster subpinnata unless your soil dries out quickly. It should be done every 7-10 days, as this plant's growth and roots do well with this water.

While actively growing plants may need high humidity and more water, most do not. If you notice that your plant dries out too quickly, you are either watering too lightly, or your soil is too loose. Ensure water drains out the bottom of the tray, and if it doesn't or your plant stays damp for longer than 10 days, aerate the soil. Otherwise, you might get root rot in the spring and summer, affecting your plant's health and causing a high risk of potential death.


Soil

gardener putting soil

Your Monstera subpinnata plant needs rich soil with a neutral pH that blends well with other foliage in which your plant grows. For example, cactus soil with peat moss and perlite works well for your soil. However, some people may also like other aroids instead.

Finding the right soil type may also require caring for your roots and growth and adding fertilizer and high organic matter to your soil and your Monstera subpinnata. Use your moisture checker to gauge the pH level of your soil and pour it right into your pot to get started. Let the roots spread out a bit when you plant your Monstera to ensure its growth helps both lower leaves and older leaves thrive easily.


Fertilizing

gardener putting compost fertilizer

Your Monstera subpinnata is a hungry beast and can eat up all the nutrients in your potting mix soil in a handful of weeks! This growth rate makes the Monstera one of the hungrier home foliage options on the market. However, you can usually find a pretty good fertilizer on the market that should help your Monstera subpinnata thrive.

These plant foods often contain an N-P-K ratio of 5-2-3, which is excellent for their roots and stem development. It also helps leaves grow smoothly and efficiently. It is also good to use a fertilizer with every spring and summer watering and doing so on every other watering in the fall.

Give your Monstera subpinnata a brief break in the winter because it's not growing and may need time to rest before growing again in the warm seasons. An excellent compost made through Lomi is a perfect option for home fertilizer because it lets you create rich dirt at whatever mixture you want.

 

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Repotting

One thing that you'll quickly find with the Monstera subpinnata is that it is a rapidly growing plant that probably needs to get repotted every year. Its rooting hormone tends to be very active throughout its life, mainly if the soil stays damp for this plant most of the time. Thankfully, repotting is typically relatively easy as long as you continue to go up a pot size every year and use a damp cloth to help care for mature leaves and browning leaves during the transfer.

gardening gloves and pots

The new pot should be at least 2-3 inches bigger in diameter than the previous pot to provide maximum growing room for your mature leaves and other plants near the Monstera. Ensure to refresh the soil with every repotting, paying careful attention to the state the soil stays in during transfer. If it gets clumpy and awkward, you might need more aeration to minimize the risk of damp soil and a high risk of rotting roots.

Start by tipping the pot to its side and pulling the plant out with your fingers. Next, massage the root ball to break the old soil and remove as much as possible before repotting your Monstera subpinnata. Put a few inches of soil in the pot bottom and place the Monstera subpinnata in the center. Fill the rest of the sides with soil and water it thoroughly, seeing how well it drains. Aerate the soil if the water doesn't drain and then add some more dirt to the top to cover settling over the years.


How to Propagate Monstera Subpinnata

closeup of roots use for propagation

Propagating Monster subpinnata lets you add new plants to your home or garden and provides many fun and unique advantages.

If you're interested in propagating this plant and aren't sure what to do, consider the steps below to ensure you don't experience problems with your potting mix, leave color, or other common concerns.


Monstera Subpinnata Runner

A hand holding a pot of Monstera Subpinnata

Runners might give your Monstera subpinnata a somewhat messy look, but they also provide a significant benefit: they can be used for propagation!

These runners look like extra stems or vines from the primary growth segment on the parent plant and can be easily removed and planted. The easiest step here is to cut off these nodes and put them in the appropriate potting mix. Then, care for them as you would any other Monstera, including a vine stake in the ground around which the plant can grow and stem.

Other people may prefer air layering the runner by cutting a small scratch into the stem near the node and then wrapping the wound in sphagnum moss. Wrapping this cut in plastic wrap and securing it with a string or twist tie should help this runner build up roots and make it easier to pot elsewhere.


Pests, Diseases, and Other Common Problems


Spider Mites

red spider mites

Spider mites are tiny reddish-brown pests that live on your leaves and cause severe damage to their joints.

If you see discolored or browning leaves on your plants, you can wash the plant with water, use neem oil, or carefully spread rubbing alcohol mixed at one cup of alcohol with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and water to kill these pests but not your plants.


Mealybugs

A mealybug on a leaf

Small white bugs on your Monstera plants are mealybugs sucking sap from your plants and causing drooping leaves and other problems.

The rubbing alcohol solution mentioned previously helps kill these bugs quite quickly. To kill them, please put it in a spray bottle and spray the whole plant, including the stem and the bottom of the leaves.


Scale Insects

Scale insects on a branch

Scale insects can also damage your Monstera and typically cause yellowish leaves and white spots on leaves. Use insecticidal soaps and neem oil to get rid of them. Cut off infected areas to help stop the spread.


Bacterial Leaf Spot

Leaves with bacterial leaf spot

Bacterial leaf spots can cause brown spots with yellow halos and quickly spread. You may need a specialized treatment method to destroy this bacteria, including plant-based antibacterial compounds that help break apart these growths.


Anthracnose

Anthracnose all over the leaves

These fungal diseases cause damage to your plants and are typically treated by using various anti-fungal soaps or even rubbing alcohol. That compound is always good to have around when you're growing plants, so mix up a big container of it to store.


Root Rot

closeup of a plant with root rot

Root rot occurs when too much water collects around your Monstera's roots. Typically, this issue starts when planters aren't careful with aerating their dirt or don't get a well-draining option. Water should flow out the bottom of your train every time you water. If not, aerate the soil.


Yellowing, Curling, and Drooping of Leaves

A monstera yellow leaf

Yellowing, curling, and drooping leaves often occur when your plant has too much or too little water. Ensure that your water is draining correctly, and give your plant some freshwater if the dirt is dry. They may also occur due to other problems, like root rot.


FAQs


Is Monstera Subpinnata Rare?

Is Monstera subpinnata rare? Not really. While you might not find them easily in some plant shops, it should be fairly easy to find them online in a multitude of Monstera plant stores.


What's the Difference Between Monstera Subpinnata and Monstera Pinnatipartita?

Though these two plants look fairly similar when they're young, the mature leaves of the pinnatipartita don't separate like fingers or separate leaflets. That's the easiest way to tell them apart.


Where Can You Grow This Plant?

You can grow this plant indoors near a good source of light and in an area where the temperature reaches at least 65-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Grow only outdoors if you never get frost.


Is Monster Subpinnata Toxic to Humans and Pets?

Monstera subpinnata does produce a sticky sap that can be toxic to people and pets. Keep your animals away from this plant, especially if they enjoy chewing on leaves.


Does Monstera Subpinnata Purify the Air?

Like any plant, a Monstera subpinnata will gradually improve air quality by creating more oxygen by processing carbon dioxide. They don't purify the air of contaminants like cigar smoke, though.


How Often Does Monstera Subpinnata Grow?

Monstera subpinnata grows continually through the warm months, including summer and spring, but also grows during the fall with proper fertilization and care. They go dormant in the winter and stop growing.


Do I Need to Mist My Monstera Subpinnata?

Misting your Monstera subpinnata is an excellent idea because they typically need a humidity level of 90% to grow the best. Misting helps keep them wet in areas where you can't maintain that humidity.


Taking Great Care of Your Plants

When you follow these simple steps, you can minimize the risk of spider mites, keep your leaf color string, and avoid browning leaves on your Monstera subpinnata.

You'll also know what to do when your leaves turn yellow and what steps to take when propagating this plant.

Don't forget to seriously consider Lomi as a compost solution for this plant, as it may provide the blend that you want with minimal challenge.