Biologist Whittaker divided all living organisms into five broad categories popularly referred to as kingdoms, namely Protista, Monera, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. All plants fall in the kingdom of Plantae. Monstera Peru, also known as Monstera karstenianum Peru, is a unique plant that belongs to the Plantae kingdom. It has gloriously wrinkled shimmering leaves that are textured and firm. This fast-growing rare plant is seen with its wrinkled, stiff, giant, and shiny dark green leaves. The purpose of this article is to provide information related to Monstera Peru care and its propagation.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Monsteroideae
- Tribe: Monstereae
- Genus: Monstera
Monstera Peru Family
The monstera genus belongs to the calla family known as Araceae. It comprises more than 60 species. A vast majority of this species is found in tropical areas of America. The title of this family is coined from the Latin word “monstrous,” meaning ‘abnormal’ or ‘huge.’ The plants of this family bear large leaves with holes and patterns so unique that they can be a pleasant addition to any household. Most of the plants of this particular family are evergreen vines that climb. These herbaceous vines climb trees with the help of their aerial roots. These are hemi epiphyte in nature, meaning they are epiphyte (climb another plant for support) while they grow their roots into the soil to help support the plant.
Monstera Kerstenianum Peru
Monstera Peru plant is more widely known as Monstera Karstenianum Peru, and only as karstenianum. Although these names are not scientific but are more popular amongst the cultivators, it is also sometimes referred to as Monstera sp. Peru plant.
Monstera Peru Growth Habitat
- Monstera Karstenianum is a fast-growing plant. With feasible conditions, its growth output would be exponential.
- Monstera sp. Peru plant is a hemi epiphyte plant in nature, meaning they are epiphyte (climb another plant for support) at the same time they grow their roots into the soil to help in supporting the plant. These roots do not grow too deeply into the soil, and therefore the plant does not rely too gravely on them.
- Monstera Peru plants are vines that climb on a tree, or if in a pot, it requires a moss or a totem or merely a stick for support. This assists in helping the plant grow in size.
- The puckered leaves have a leaf blade that is perforated in perfect symmetry. It also has a darker tone of green. The plant itself reaches the height of 35 cm and, in optimum conditions, transcends up to 6 m.
- If ingested, it can be lethal as this plant is highly toxic and must be kept at a safe distance from children and pets.
- Although some species bear edible fruits in the form of berries clustered together, these taste delicious as if pineapple and banana combined.
Mature Monstera Peru
A mature Monstera Peru plant can obtain a height of 6 meters through optimum care and conditions. The large leathery leaves are approximately 2 inches apart, and a mature leaf of the plant can grow up to 9 cm in length. However, to obtain the required growth at the maturity period, it is essential to ensure the required care is given to the plant and suitable conditions.
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Monstera Peru Care
Monstera sp Peru is not a high maintenance plant. It can germinate pretty well once some basic requirements are met and general monstera Peru care is considered for its wellbeing.
Water Requirement
Monstera karstenianum is a low-maintenance plant. To begin with, it does not require to be watered daily. Watering it once or twice a week will be sufficient. Waterlogging would result in the discoloration of leaves. Therefore, to avoid the beautiful Monstera Peru variegated plant from withering, water it occasionally.
Monstera Peru Soil Requirement
Light and free drainage soil is the prime requirement of Monstera Peru variegated plants. It can survive in acidic soil as well, with PH levels ranging from 5 to 7.5. Readymade soil mixture such as Barky Beaver mulch and soil mixture will also help grow the karstenianum.
Monstera Peru Humidity Requirement
Karstenianum can thrive in practically any environment. However, since it is native to tropical regions of America and precisely originated from rainforests, it loves humidity. Humidity levels can be monitored in the environment, and droppings can be artificially increased to levels desirable by the plant.
If the humidity level in the environment is unsuitable for the plant, you can follow the steps below to artificially increase the humidity level.
- Gently mist the leaves.
- Keep bowls of water near the plant. This would be the cheapest way to increase humidity in the environment.
- A beautiful yet efficient way is to place a water-filled tray with pebbles under the pot to provide it with the necessary humidity.
- The most expensive yet very effective way is to install a humidifier in the living space where the plant is kept.
Monstera Peru Light Requirements
Monstera Peru can endure at least 3 hours of direct sun as it has thick leaves. Too much exposure to direct light can naturally burn the leaves. It grows best in exposure to bright indirect light.
Temperature Requirement
Monstera Peru is a tropical plant. Thus, the plant admires warm temperatures ranging between 16 to 25 °C (degree Celsius) temperatures. Lower temperatures might not be suitable for your Monstera Peru plant.
Fertilizer Requirement
Monstera plants can be fertilized once a month during spring and summer with a mild fertilizer in low quantity. Whereas, in winters, it is best to allow the plant to rest to steer clear of any salt buildup in the soil that can harm the plant’s foliage and burn its leaves.
Pot Requirement
Monstera sp Peru can be potted in a regular pot with the additional support of a totem or a moss as these are climbers. However, these can be planted in a hanging basket as they would look spectacular dangling down from a suspended basket.
Repotting
As mentioned earlier, these are low-maintenance plants and do not require repotting frequently. Therefore, repot them when the need arises, which can be estimated to be somewhere after three years.
Cleaning Requirement
With sudden variation in climate and steadily increasing unpredictability of global warming brings new challenges and threats to the environment. The Monstera plant has unique leaves that are crinkled or puckered and require a little bit of care from your end. In dusty weather, dust particles would accumulate on the textured leaves blocking the stomata. This would hinder the process of photosynthesis and eventually impact the growth of the plant adversely. Gently mist and wipe the leaves two to three times a week to curtail this situation, especially during dusty weather.
Air Pressure
Monstera sp. Peru is not a deeply rooted plant. Hence, it cannot withstand strong drafts of air even from the air conditioner. Intense air pressure can quickly destroy the feeble plant.
Monstera Kerstenianum Plant Toxicity
Not everything that grows from the ground is edible. This goes perfectly for Monstera and its other family members as they are toxic and must not be ingested. They can be the cause of allergic reactions in the throat and eyes if contacted. Therefore, children, especially babies and toddlers, and pets, must not be close to this plant.
Monstera Peru Propagation
It can be a slightly complex task for beginner plant enthusiasts when it comes to Monstera Peru propagation. If you’ve failed the propagation of this gorgeous plant in the first few attempts, don’t let those failed attempts hold you back as you’ve landed on the perfect guide.
Propagation Season
It dwells well in a warm environment being a tropical plant; therefore, winter months will not be feasible for its propagation. The perfect time for its propagation would be right at the beginning of spring, which is March.
Method
You can propagate the variegated plant into the water as well as in soil. Thus, follow the steps below to propagate Monstera Peru according to your preference.
How to Propagate Monstera Peru in Water
- Cut a stem from a healthy mother plant with the help of clean scissors.
- Place the stem, which is long enough to have nodes, and submerge it in a round bowl of water till the root system develops.
- Transfer them into the soil and place them in a warm, humid environment.
Propagation in Soil
- Take sharp and clean scissors to cut the stem, about 10 cm long, from a healthy mother plant.
- Make sure that the aerial roots or the nodes are visible on the stem that you chose.
- Now expose the stem from the bottom by plucking the leaves, leaving a few on the upper side of the stem.
- Plant the stem a few inches deep into a pot. 2 to 3 inches would be ideal. Make sure the soil is moist.
- Place the plant in a place with indirect sunlight.
- Water the plant once a week or adjust the frequency by monitoring the condition of the soil.
- After a couple of weeks, shoots will appear, indicating that the process of propagation is successful.
Conclusion
Tropical plant Monstera is a sight with its corrugated, large, shiny, stiff, and dark green leaves. They are hemi epiphyte in nature, meaning they are epiphyte (climb another plant for support). At the same time, they grow their roots into the soil to help in supporting the plant. These are low maintenance, easy to grow plants that can be a statement piece in the serene space.
Karstenianum is a highly toxic plant; thus, it must not be within reach of pets and children to avoid any severe problems caused by ingestion. You can pot the plant with the support of a totem, which would help it to climb. Being tropical plants, they admire a warm environment. However, they must not be kept in direct sunlight for more than 3 hours. They appreciate indirect light from the sun and high levels of humidity. To keep the leaves healthy, mist them and wipe them with a damp cloth on dusty days to keep the stomata from clogging with dust mites and particles. A little care will keep the plant healthy and your home well maintained.
