In this article, we’ll tell you everything there is to know about differentiating between the Monstera obliqua and adansonii.
Monstera Obliqua vs Adansonii
The Monstera obliqua is a rare plant that is native to the regions of Central America and South America America. The obliqua plant is famous for its fenestrated leaves and is one of the most in-demand indoor plants.
Some common names for the obliqua include:
·      Hurricane plant
·      Philodendron obliqua
·      Window leaf plant
·      Mexican Bread Fruit
·      Unicorn plant
Monstera adansonii is an evergreen plant native to the rainforests of America. It has also been seen on certain islands of Westindies and is commonly found near river valleys.
The Monstera adansonii plant is often referred to as the Five Holes Plant, the Monkey Mask, or the Monstera friedrichsthalii due to its unique fenestrations.
One of the most common Monstera varieties that are mistaken for the adansonii and obliqua are Monstera deliciosa (the swiss cheese plant), Monstera siltepacana, Monstera borsigiana, and most other forms of Monstera.
Similarities
The Monstera obliqua and adansonii share many similar characteristics that make it difficult to differentiate between the two. Some of these similarities are mentioned below.
Classification
The Monstera obliqua and adansonii belong to the same order, Alsmatales and the Araceae family.
They are also part of the same genus Monstera and share similar USDA hardiness zones of 12 to 13.
Root System
Both Monstera plants have aerial roots, also called adventitious roots. These roots are responsible for the epiphytic characteristics of the Monstera plants.
Leaf Color
The two plants share similar foliage. The juvenile obliqua is challenging to distinguish from a juvenile adansonii due to its light green color. As the plants mature, they grow dark green leaves.
Toxicity
The Monstera obliqua and the adansonii are toxic for humans and pets. This is because they contain oxalate crystals that can cause stomach pain, fever, vomiting, and other problems.
The sap of the Monsteras can irritate the eye and skin if it comes in contact and if ingested and cause irritation in the throat and mouth.
Care Conditions
The Monstera obliqua and adansonii are tropical plants with similar care conditions, so you won’t have to worry about taking care of the two separately. Some of these conditions are mentioned below.
Light
In their natural habitat, the plants are accustomed to receiving filtered sunlight as the rainforest consists of large trees that cover most of the area.
Hence, these plants do well in indirect light, and too much direct sunlight might harm the plants.
You can place the Monstera near an east or south-facing window or in a room that does not receive direct light. Generally, six to eight hours of indirect lighting are suitable for the plant.
You can also place them in direct sunlight when the sun isn’t as harsh, such as in the early morning or the late evening sun, and they will grow well in such bright natural light.
The plant is receiving too much sunlight if the leaves start to turn brown or start to wilt. It would help if you were careful with how much exposure you give to the two varieties.
Watering
These plants only need to be watered once every two weeks. Overwatering the Monstera could lead to root rot, and underwatering could result in wilting of the plant.
Generally, the best way to know when to water your Monstera is to feel the top two inches of the soil with your fingertip to check if it is dry.
An indicator of underwatering is when your Monstera leaves start to wilt, and an indicator of overwatering is when you see yellow leaves on your Monstera.
Temperature and Humidity
The Monstera obliqua and adansonii are native to tropical rainforests and are accustomed to high humidity levels. They do well at humidity levels of around 65% to 80%.
You can maintain such humidity levels by misting the plant regularly, using a humidifier, or placing a pebble tray under the pot.
The adansonii and Monstera obliqua grow well at a temperature between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You can place the Monstera pot near the kitchen or the washroom, where the temperature and humidity levels are high.
Soil and Potting Mix
The two varieties require well-aerated soil with adequate drainage. A constricted soil restricts the growth of new roots, and poor drainage can result in over-watering. Additionally, they grow well in pH levels of 5-7.
Generally, a potting mix with coco coir, peat moss, or perlite is a good choice for your Monstera plant.
Fertilizer
While they grow well independently, and fertilizers are not obligatory for their growth, if you want to speed up your Monstera’s development or thick stems, you can add a liquid fertilizer with equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Such fertilizers are suitable for the healthy growth of the Monstera varieties.
However, most pot mixes come with fertilizers already added, so you need to be careful about adding more. Adding too much fertilizer can cause the roots to become backed up, resulting in low water intake.
Add fertilizers only during the growing periods of Monstera (summer and spring) and avoid adding any during the winter.
Repotting and Propagation
The Monstera species are generally quick growers and grow to massive heights. Not just their stems but their roots grow tremendously as well.
A fully mature Monstera needs to be repotted once every two or three years, while a juvenile Monstera needs to be repotted more frequently.
When repotting, choose a pot with a larger diameter than the previous one. Generally, a clay pot is a good choice for Monstera as they have good water retention abilities.
Ensure that your pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent the water from collecting.
Both Monsteras are propagated similarly. To propagate the Monstera, cut off a part of the stem using sterile shears. Cut the stem at the node and ensure that it includes at least one leaf.
You can propagate them in water or the soil. Place the stem cutting in water, ensuring the leaf is not submerged.
Once roots emerge (around two to three weeks later), move the cutting to the potting mix, or you can place the stem cuttings directly in the potting mix, with the node placed in the pot.
Differences
Despite their similarities, there are many differences between the Monstera obliqua and adansonii. Some of these differences are mentioned below.
Fenestration
The Monstera genus is famous for its fenestrations; holes in the leaves. However, the fenestrations differ in the plants.
The leaves do not develop these fenestrations at the juvenile stage and are hard to tell apart. However, as mature plants, the fenestrations become unique differentiating characteristics.
The adansonii Monstera plant possesses longer, narrower and fewer holes. Additionally, the adansonii leaves have smaller holes across the surface. The adansonii is more leaf than hole in the mature stage.
The obliqua Monstera plant leaves are larger and have wider leaf holes. Obliqua holes are known to be larger than any other Monstera species. Due to these holes, the Monstera obliqua has delicate leaves that can take damage under high winds.
Leaf Size and Structure
The difference in leaf size is a clear giveaway of whether you are dealing with an adansonii or an obliqua plant.
The obliqua leaves are shorter in size than the adansonii leaves. The obliqua leaves measure between 25 centimeters to almost 9 inches. The adansonii leaves are larger and measure between 20 to 30 inches.
However, that does not mean that the obliqua is small. The smallest species of Monstera is the Monstera minima, whose leaves measure between 10-25 centimeters.
The leaf edges of the Monstera adansonii are straight, while the Monstera obliqua leaf edges curve slightly. The slightly wavy edges help differentiate the Monster obliqua.
Additionally, the leaf of the adansonii are thicker than the leaves of the obliqua plant, and it has a leathery and rough texture. In contrast, the obliqua has a smooth texture with paper-thin leaves.
Growth Rate
While all Monstera tends to grow quickly, there is a distinct difference in the speed of their growth.
The adansonii is a fast grower even amongst the Monstera genus and grows several feet in a month.
The obliqua is a slow grower, which is why it is a rare plant. The rare obliqua takes several years to grow, the same amount that the Monstera will grow in a month. The Monstera obliqua will grow on the forest floor for several months before climbing a tree.
Stolons
Stolons, also called runners, are stems that grow horizontally and have nodes that develop several adventitious roots. Stolons are commonly seen in the strawberry plant and rarely in other plants.
The true Monstera obliqua is one such specie that possesses stolons, while the adansonii does not.
Important to Know about Monstera Adansonii and Obliqua
Before purchasing either the real obliqua or the real adansonii, you need to know why they would be a good fit.
The real Monstera obliqua is an extremely rare plant with 90% holes and 10% leaves; however, this is mainly true for the mature Peruvian forms. Some forms of the obliqua also have little or no holes in them.
The Monstera obliqua grows extremely slowly, so you won’t have to worry about repotting or running out of space. Such characteristics of the Monstera obliqua make it highly sought after by plant collectors.
These rare plants are hard to find in plant nurseries, and most obliqua plants are somewhat expensive, even more so if you want to purchase a variegated Monstera obliqua plant.
On the other hand, the Monstera adansonii is a faster grower, so you won’t have to wait long for them to mature and develop desirable characteristics. Additionally, these species are much less expensive and easier to find.
Adansonii types include round form and narrow form, giving you a range of choices in the species.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.     Why is Monstera obliqua called the rare Monstera obliqua?
The botanical unicorn known as Monstera obliqua is most commonly found in Peru. It is a slow grower, so there aren’t as many true obliqua species as other species. Variegated forms of the same species are considered even rarer.
2.     Can I treat a diseased Monstera plant?
You can treat the Monstera using fungicidal, antimicrobial, pesticide soaps, and spray.
My name is Daniel Elrod, and I have been houseplant love ever since I was 17. I love how much joy they bring to any room in the home. I’ve always been amazed at how a few pots of flowing leaves can turn a drab and sterile office into an inviting place where people love to work at.
