A Touch of Tropic: Monstera Borsigiana, The Indoor Outdoor Houseplant - Absolute Gardener

A Touch of Tropic: Monstera Borsigiana, The Indoor Outdoor Houseplant

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on pinterest
Share on telegram
Share on reddit
Share on whatsapp
Monstera Borsigiana

Monstera borsigiana is a monster! This monster plant has been around for hundreds of years, and it will continue to be here for many more. Monstera borsigiana is known as the living fossil because it can grow without soil in tropical climates or indoors with proper care. In this article we will talk about monstera borsigiana origins, monstera borsigiana care guides, common problems with monsteras but also tips on how to keep them happy so they don’t become monsters!

Monstera borsigiana is a monster of a plant that can be grown both inside and outside.

What is Monstera Borsigiana?

Monstera borsigiana are part of the aralia family and are epiphytic plants that will grow on another tree, like a bromeliad – often growing only leaves or aerial roots without any soil. What makes monsteras so unusual among houseplants is its flexibility: monsteras love to be either inside or outside. It’s full name is monstera albo borsigiana.

It’s monstera foliage has a touch of tropic to it. The color is green with darkish purple streaks and stripes on the underside of the laminae, which are the leaf’s main surface area. This gives them their name monstera because they resemble monster heads or monsters lurking in the forest. The monstera borsigiana has heart shaped leaves that can grow up to 14 inches long and 12 inches wide, with the appearance of scales on them.

Monstera borsigiana are grown as houseplants because they have leathery leaves and love to be touched. They do not need a lot of sunlight. Monstera borsigiana leaves are grown in a spiral pattern that can be both attractive and confusing to humans, but is not an issue for the plant itself. They often have a monocotous root system. This means that they only grow one type of roots, in the form of a trunk.

Origins of Monstera Borsigiana Plant

There are three monstera borsigiana species: monstera deliciosa, monster iantha (monster of the Andes), and monster japonica. In 1894 Carl Borsig created a crossbreed using monster iantha and monster japanica to create an indoor/outdoor plant that could survive in low light and high humidity.

The monstera borsigiana plant is native to Central America, where it grows wild at altitudes of up to 12000ft (3660m). It can live outdoors all year round in zones nine through eleven but will require a greenhouse here in the colder regions.

This monster has been around for centuries, but it may not have the most interesting name. In fact, monstera borsigiana is commonly called monster arums, split-leaf philodendrons, monstera deliciosa borsigiana or Swiss cheese plants. The botanical names are Philodendron pertusum (monstera) and Monstera deliciosa (Swiss cheese).

Monstera Borsigiana

Monstera Borsigiana Care Guide

Monstera borsigiana, monstera plant or monster climber is an attractive, durable and easy care houseplant. Despite its name monstera has nothing to do with monsters but comes from the Spanish word monstruo meaning monster (as in monstrous). Monstera albo borsigiana care is easy as monsteras are not heavy blooming plants and all parts of monstera plant, including the leaves can be enjoyed without any worries about over watering or overwatering. Here are some care guides.

Soil

Monstera borsigiana needs to be kept in a moist environment, so it is key that you have the right soil. The type of potting mix will depend on what kind of monstera borsigiana you are growing and how much light it gets. For example, if your monstera has an average amount of light then you should use a mix that is light and porous. If monstera borsigiana has higher levels of light, then you can opt for coarser potting soil or even a mixture of clay based soil with compost.

They also like a rich, loamy mix that is moist but not soggy. The best type for monstera borsigianas is an outdoor potting mixture with peat moss and perlite mixed in evenly. Another option would be to mix in a few tablespoons of organic fertilizer with the soil.

Light

Lighting is essential for monstera borsigiana, not just to provide the necessary light levels required for a plant but also because monstera borsigiana thrives in direct sunlight. Monsteras require indirect or filtered light; too much exposure can burn their leaves and result in yellow patches on them. The monstera should be situated near a window with plenty of natural light or near an artificial fluorescent light.

A window with some sun in the morning or even early evening will work well but monsteras need their space too, so don’t crowd them! Even though monstera’s are technically considered “indoor plants,” they still require at least three hours of indirect sunlight.

Watering

The monstera is a succulent that does not need as much water and needs to be watered less than other plants. They prefer an even method of watering for the first few months then they may become more tolerant of infrequent watering. The monsteras do best if you give them regular deep soaking with warm water, followed by a thorough soak with cold water.

Do not allow monstera borsigiana to dry out between watering sessions and be sure to make up for all of those missed days with a generous amount of water when you do! Monstera borsigiana should also be watered in the morning to avoid water sitting on top of it for too long. But if you’ve been experiencing high levels of humidity in your home (or don’t have access to natural light), more frequent waterings may be required. If the monstera is wilting or drooping, the plant has likely been under-watered.

Temperature

Monstera thrives in temperatures ranging from 65°F to 85°F (18.33C-29.44C). Temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can cause monstera borsigiana leaves to turn brown and die back, while high heat will weaken the plant’s tissue and lead to wilting. If monstera is kept at too cool a temperature, monstera borsigiana leaves will turn yellow and drop.

It is best to keep monstera borsigiana at room temperature. If monstera borsigiana can’t be kept in the house, it should be put outside during the day and brought inside when night falls or if cold weather comes around.

Humidity

Monstera BorsigianaHumidity is monstera borsigiana’s best friend. They love it when the air surrounding their leaves feels moist and humid, as this helps maintain a stable balance of gases in the plant’s environment which facilitates photosynthesis.

However, if you live in an especially dry region (especially during winter) or have trouble keeping moisture in the air around monstera plants, then you might want to invest in a humidifier. This will create an environment that is better suited for monsteras and can help prevent dryness of leaves during extended periods of time without watering.

Humidity also helps protect monstera borsigianas from molds and fungus which are common issues that arise when plants are stored in low-humidity environments.

But monstera borsigianas don’t just need humid air surrounding them, they also require a humidity level of around 50%. This is because their natural habitat has an extremely high rate of moisture content in the air which monsteras thrive off and enjoy very much.

If monstera borsigiana leaves start to wilt, this is a sign that the plant needs more water and has too high of a level of air humidity. The best way to fix this problem is by gradually reducing the amount of moisture in the surrounding area without exposing them directly to sunlight as monsteras are sensitive plants and can burn easily.

The best way to maintain monsteras’ moisture levels is by misting them every day or two with water until just before the surface of their soil becomes dry to the touch.

Fertiliser

Fertiliser is a staple of monstera borsigiana care. A healthy monstera borsigiana needs a nutrient rich soil to thrive in its pot or container. For this, use an organic fertiliser that has nitrogen as its dominant ingredient and phosphorus and potassium for the secondary ingredients with minor amounts of other minerals like calcium which monstera borsigiana needs to stay strong.

Tropical monsteras are also very picky about the fertiliser they want and need for optimal health, so it is best to consult a plant expert at your local gardening store. They will be able to help you find what monstera fertilizer is best suited for this type of plant.

Some monstera borsigiana plants are grown using hydroponics – which is a method of growing the plant without soil. Hydroponic monsteras need their own form of nourishment and care, so consult with your local gardening store for more information on the best fertilisers to use.

Toxicity

The monstera borsigiana is not toxic to humans, but it does contain substances thought by some people to be carcinogenic. However, the monstera borsigiana’s sap contains a steroid called beta-sitosterol which has been found in studies to have anti-cancer effects when consumed orally. A study of the sap of monstera borsigiana found that the plant’s leaves and fruit contains protease, which may be effective in harming cancer cells.

A study conducted by The University of Sydney showed that some substances called cardenolides can have a side effect on humans if they are consumed. These compounds were extracted from the monstera borsigiana and given to lab mice, which were then found with an increase of white blood cells.

Pruning

Monsteras are usually slow growing plants, but when they grow too large for the space you have allotted to them and become unruly or unattractive, it’s time to prune. Pruning monsteras can be a little tricky because unlike other houseplants monstera leaves don’t die off at the end of the season.

Here are some monstera pruning tips for you:

  • Prune monsteras in early winter when they’re dormant to get rid of any dead or dying leaves and branches that will become a problem next year. It’s easier to see what needs removing this way than at other times, so it’ll save you a lot of time and effort.
  • Cut monstera leaves at the base in one clean swipe with good, sharp pruning shears to make them easier for your fingers to pinch. Be careful not to cut too far into the stem because it will leave an ugly scar on the monstera’s bark that might never heal properly.
  • Remove monstera leaves that are touching the pot. This will prevent rot and disease from spreading to other monsteras nearby.
  • Trim back any monstera branches or leaves that are touching a window, door, wall or ceiling by cutting them off at their point of contact with these surfaces so they don’t grow into it and cause problems.
  • If monstera leaves are touching a light or electrical cord, trim them off at the base where they meet it to prevent fire hazards.

Monsteras need pruning because of how their roots grow. They’re not like most other plants that only have one set of deep feeder roots feeding from the bottom trunk and up to the top. Monstera roots grow in every direction, which is why monsteras are so good at growing up and out of their container no matter what you put them into or how much soil they’re planted in.

Propagation and Growth

Propagation monstera borsigiana is the process of multiplying monstera borsigianas from a single plant. It can be done by either taking cuttings or air layering (see below for instructions on how to do this) monstera borsigs.

  • Cut off healthy leaves from monstera borsigiana
  • Take a pencil and make an incision into the monstera borsigiana stem. Cut at least two inches below where the leaves are attached to monster but, no more than three feet deep (you can measure this by using a ruler)
  • Remove any other debris that is in your pot with monstera borsigiana and make sure it is moist.
  • Cut monstera borsigiana from the pot so that you can place about a quarter inch of soil in your container with monster care, taking not to break any roots
  • Cover monstera’s stem with dirt up until where the leaves are (but do not cover too much)
  • Place your monstera borsigiana back in the pot and cover it with dirt. Water monstercare by pouring water around monster, not on top of monster
  • After a few months, you should have new roots sprouting from the bottom of your monster plant. This is when to transplant into a bigger container if desired

Repotting

It’s time for monstera borsigiana repotting! But what does that mean? This guide will cover all you need to know about monstera borsigiana repotting.

  • It is recommended to repot in the springtime, when it’s safe and warm outside
  • Cut off any dead monstera borsigiana leaves with a sharp scissors
  • Remove the monstera borsigiana from its container and lay it on a table or other flat surface to inspect for any rotting roots, which should be cut off at the base of the monstera borsigiana. This will ensure new healthy monstera borosiiana roots will grow
  • Fill the monstera borsigiana container with a potting mix, poking holes in the soil to ensure drainage. You can also add some bark chunks or charcoal pieces for added filtration if you desire. Make sure there is enough space between monstera borsigiana’s root ball and the edge of the container
  • Water monstera borsigiana until moist, and place it in its new pot. Add more soil if necessary to fill up any gaps around monstera borsigiana’s root ball. Firmly pack down for drainage before watering again
  • Place monstera borsigiana back in a sunny spot, water it thoroughly and wait for monstera borsigiana to adjust before watering again
  • Enjoy your new monstera borsigiana!

Plant Disease

The monstera borsigiana is a vulnerable plant and can be very susceptible to infection by fungus or bacteria. When the roots are weakened, it becomes easier for the pathogen to attack them from below. One common problem with monstera borsigiana is that when they become pot-bound (too much root tissue in relation to the volume of soil), they are more likely to develop root rot.

Signs include wilting leaves, spots on the leaf surface and underside, circular patches that become darker as time goes by and an onion-like odor from the roots. The monstera borsigiana can also be affected by red spider mites which will cause webbing in between leaves and on the underside of leaves.

There are many ways to prevent monstera borsigiana from getting sick including regular watering, fertilizing (especially when growing in containers), air circulation, humidity control and pruning which can also be a way to reduce its size.

Monstera Borsigiana

Monstera Albo Borsigiana vs Deliciosa

Monstera Borsigiana is a monstera deliciosa. Monstera Albo Borsigiana originates in the Caribbean and can be found up to sea level while monstera deliciosas are better known as tropical foliage plants that thrive at higher elevations such as mountain regions. Monstera deliciosa has thicker leaves with a greenish hue while monstera borsigianas have leaves that are white and narrower.

Additionally monstera deliciosa has silver spots on its underside, monstera borsigiana albo does not. Monstera Alba Borsigiana is the original name but was changed to Deliciosa for marketing purposes in North America due to monstera deliciosa popularity in the region.

In summary monstera borsigianas are an indoor plant that is better suited for areas with higher elevations such as sea level and monstera deliciosas are outdoor plants best grown at lower levels below sea level.

Monstera Borsigiana Variegated

Monstera BorsigianaThe variegated monstera borsigiana, also know as monstera delicioso or monster of the Andes, is a beautiful indoor-outdoor plant. It has thick leaves covered in white stripes with green centers and veins which are often used for table decorations in Latin America. With its wide range of temperature tolerances and tolerance for light, variegated monstera albo borsigiana is perfect for almost any home.

As with all the monstera varieties, monstera borsigiana variegata can be grown in pots or containers that do not need to have drainage holes and may even grow on top of water (only submerge up to a quarter of the plant).

With monstera borsigiana variegated, you need to be careful with watering. It needs a lot of water but too much will cause root rot and leaf loss. When it comes time for monstera borsigiano variegated care in autumn, prepare its soil by adding organic material like compost or shredded leaves. This will provide nutrients for the monstera borsigiano variegated and help it to prepare for winter dormancy as well as protect the roots from freezing temperatures. You may find monstera albo borsigiana for sale at a local nursery.

Common Issues with Monstera Borsigiana

Monstera borsigiana is a vine monster that can grow up to 50 feet at the equator, but will stay small and compact indoors. As such, it quickly outgrows its pot which leads to root rot. The best solution for monstera borsigiana care guides who have this problem is repotting monstera borsigiana regularly. A larger pot will allow the monstera to grow and stay healthy.

Monstera’s leaves can also get a buildup of dust, which leads to brown spots on new leaves or greenish leaf coloration as seen in monsteras with light colored leaves such as “Pantin.” To combat monstera borsigiana care guides with this problem, simply wipe the leaves down with a damp cloth. This will remove any dust buildup that is affecting your monstera’s health and also help prevent future problems.

The other main issue monsteras face are aphids which cause white spots on the monstera leafs, as well as other monstera plants. If monsteras are infested with aphids, they should be sprayed with a mixture of one part soap and two parts water to eliminate them from your monstera’s plant family.

Tips for Keeping Monstera Borsigiana Happy

Monstera borsigiana is a beautiful and hearty plant for inside or outside that requires little attention to maintain its beauty. By providing monstera borsigiana with the proper spot in bright light, moist soil and adequate waterings, monsteras will thrive indoors as well as out while bringing life and color into any space.

  • It needs a lot of light, but not direct sunlight because it can be too harsh on monsteras that have delicate foliage. A bright window will work well as long as the leaves don’t touch the glass.
  • It needs moist soil and should be watered thoroughly every day or two, but not constantly soaked
  • Monstera borsigiana has a hard time with acidic soils so it’s best to use an alkaline fertilizer like Milorganite (though monsteras are happy in either condition)
  • Monstera borsigiana needs to be fertilized yearly in the fall and they have a tendency to get leaf tip burn if exposed to fertilizer too close.

Monstera Borsigiana Frequently Asked Questions

Monstera BorsigianaWhat is the difference between Monstera deliciosa and Borsigiana?

Monstera deliciosa is the Latin name for monstera borsigiana. It can be a bit difficult to tell between monstera deliciosas and monstera borsigianas, but they are different plants that belong in separate generuses. The easiest way to tell them apart is by examining their leaves: monsteras have a heart-shaped leaf while monstera borsigianas have a more roundish shape.

Monstera deliciosas and monstera borsigianas both live in tropical climates, but monstera deliciosas are found at higher altitudes than monstera borigsiana which prefer lower elevations. These plants also differ in appearance: monstera deliciosas are more red than monstera borsigianas.

It is not recommended to mix monstera deliciosas and monstera borsigianas in the same pot since they have different needs for light, humidity, temperature, soil type, water quantity and frequency. It is best to keep monstera deliciosas and monstera borsigianas separate since they prefer different environments.

Is there a Monstera Borsigiana?

Yes, monstera borsigiana is a tropical plant in the arum family. This indoor outdoor houseplant originates from Mexico and Central America.

How do you plant Monstera Borsigiana?

If you want to get one for your home, there are two ways of planting it: in the ground outdoors OR in pot indoors. You can buy monstera borsigiana plants from nurseries – but they are expensive!

Why is Monstera so expensive?

Monstera cost can range anywhere from $150-$400 depending on the size and quality. The monstera plant is native to Central America, with many species found in Mexico and Costa Rica. They are considered one of the most expensive plants because monsteras grow so slowly (only two leaves per year), typically take a few years to reach their mature size, and because monsteras are native to tropical climates.

Can I make my Monstera variegated?

A monstera borsigiana can be variegated by the leaves being in different colors. The leaf color is determined by genetics and it cannot change so to get a monstera with an interesting pattern of colors, you would have to start from scratch.

What monstera borsigiana will do is change its color over time. It starts out green, then slowly turns brown and eventually becomes a yellowish gold. You can get monstera that are variegated by having the leaves turn colors when they hit different places in their life cycle. This effect does not last forever so monsteras are usually sold with green leaves.

How do you know if you are a Monstera?

Monsteras have thick, leathery leaves with sharp edges and veins that are raised up from the surface of the leaf. They also sport some pretty cool looking patterns on their leaves and they give off this really great smell when you break one open. The monstera is a monster in more ways than one.

Conclusion

Monstera borsigiana care is not a difficult task to take on, but it does require some work and patience in order for monsteras to grow successfully. If you want your monstera plants to thrive while indoors or outside of their natural environment then make sure they have the right humidity levels, adequate amounts of water (check the soil to make sure) and plenty of sunlight.

Monstera borsigiana is a monster of the houseplant world! This monster has been around for centuries and still remains beloved to many. What monstera borsigiania lacks in height, it makes up for with its wide leaves that can grow over two feet long. This monstera borsigiana is a beautiful and environmentally friendly houseplant. It requires very little care, which makes it perfect for a busy person like yourself. If you’re looking to get one for your home, this beauty is available via Amazon. 

Garden favourites:

Absolute Gardener is a reader-supported site. When you purchase through affiliate links on our site, we may earn a small commission with no extra cost to you.

Scroll to Top