The Monstera Siltepecana is an attractive trailing plant with green leaves and darker green veining. The care for this plant is simple and straightforward.
You can grow this plant as a trailing plant in a hanging basket, or train it onto a moss pole to climb. In the wild this plant will grow as an epiphytic climber and climb trees. The Monstera Siltepecana is native to Southern Mexico and Central America
This plant is in the Monstera family. You may have heard this plant referred to as the Silver Philodendron. It has no relation to the Philodendron family. It grows very similar to the Monstera Adonsonii.
The most common problems with plants in the Monstera family is root rot. This is usually because you are watering the plant too frequently. The soil for this plant needs to be light and quick draining. Generally a mix of potting soil, perlite, orchid bark, and some type of moss works best. Do not pot this plant in straight potting soil.
Always use a pot with a drainage hole for this plant. Water when the soil is dry 2 inches down.
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Because this plant is used to growing in warm humid rainforests, it will appreciate added humidity. If you live in a dry climate, consider adding a small humidifier or a pebble tray next to your plant. If the tips of the leaves are turning brown, you should try and increase the humidity .
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We have compiled a simple and printable care guide for the Siltepecana Keep reading below to learn how to care for this plant.
Monstera Siltepecana Care Guide
The Monstera Siltepecana is also referred to as the Silver Monstera plant. It has beautiful green leaves darker veining down the center and sides.
This Care Guide will teach you how to keep this houseplant happy all through the year.
Materials
- Orchid bark
- Peat moss
- Perlite
- General potting soil
- mask
- Fertilizer
Tools
- Pot (ceramic, plastic, or terra cotta)
- Potting medium (perlite, soil, peat moss, and orchid bark)
- Scissors
- Rubbing Alcohol
Instructions
Soil Preference:
- Monstera Siltepecana prefer well draining soil. The roots will rot quickly if they sit in moist soil.
- A homemade aroid soil mix of 1/2 potting soil and 1/2 peat moss or coco fiber is a good mix for monsteras
- Make sure your pot has drainage at the bottom. Do not use a pot with no drainage hole for this plant.
- A heavy soil potting mix is not recommended for Monsteras
Pot Size and Type:
- The monstera siltepecana can grow in many different kinds of pots, I like to plant mine in terra cotta pots with a drainage hole.
- Repot every second year or when roots come out the drainage holes on the pot bottom. Don't jump to a huge pot from a small one. Just go to the next size up pot.
Lighting:
- The monstera siltepecana will be happiest in moderate indirect light. It will also grow just fine in lower light conditions, but the growth will be slower.
- Some filtered sunlight from a window may be appreciated in this circumstance.
- Make sure the Monstera Siltepecana isn't sitting in constant direct sunlight. The leaves can burn.
Watering:
- Water your monstera when the soil is dry at least an inch down. These aroid plants are typically drought resistant and can withstand longer periods of dryness compared to other houseplants. Every two weeks should be fine.
- Watering is best done on a regular schedule so the plant is not over or under watered. Both can cause stress on the plant.
- In dormant winter months reduce watering to when the soil is dry.
- Never let this plant get wet feet. This plant is susceptible to root rot and fungus gnats in heavy moist soils.
How to Fertilize:
- Apply a good quality fertilizer (linked in materials) monthly through Spring and summer.
- Decrease feedings by late Fall and allow this plant to rest through the winter months.
Temperature:
- The monstera plant will do best in temperatures between 65-85 degrees F.
Pests:
- The monstera siltepecana is a hardy resilient plant. However all plants can get attacked by pests.
- Stress by longterm overwatering, poor light, extreme temperatures and soil conditions are contributors to plant stress..
- Spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, thrips and whitefly are the most common houseplant pests you will see.
- Read our post on How to get rid of aphids and other pests with our homemade pesticide soap recipe or neems oil.
- To minimize the possibility of pests be sure to check all nursery plants before bringing them home.
- Quarantine all new plants until you are sure no pests live in them.
How to Propagate:
- Cut stem in the internodal spacing using sterile scissors
- Place in water with nodes down in the water and leaf up
- After several weeks roots will grow
- Plant in soil when roots are 2-3 inches long
Notes
This plant does best when trained onto a pole or trellis so it can climb. Watch the video below of us repotting and staking our raphidophora tetrasperma for tips on repotting climbing aroids.
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If you want to learn more about the plant family Monstera you can read this article.