Monstera Siltepecana (from Monstera family) is widely famous for its uniquely attractive leaves. Many households prefer keeping Silver Monstera to make the interior more appealing. While decorative goals remain a common reason for people liking Monstera Siltepecana, its growing practices also attract many plant lovers. Today, we will look into the Monstera Siltepecana vs. El Salvador differences to help you choose your desired variety.
Monstera Siltepecana Plant
Monstera Siltepecana is a popular plant in its family. Known for its strong vines and climbing habit, this lovely Monstera is native to South and Central America (Mexico, Costa Rica, Columbia, etc.). While some Monsteras show a different growing behavior, the juvenile form of leaves requires a medium to climb to nurture fully.
If not given climbing support (and bright indirect sunlight), the juvenile leaves hang down (from the pot). While the juvenile form is a terrestrial plant, the mature form becomes an epiphyte. If you get it for your home, you may get a hanging basket (pot) or strong support to propagate Monstera Siltepecana.
You may ensure getting information about the variety you choose (taking care of roots, stems, and other parts).
Monstera Siltepecana El Salvador (Silver Monstera)
Monstera El Salvador is a rare variety of Silver Monstera. Mostly found in Central America and the Ecuadorian lands, this variety of the plant matures faster than its regular form. You may notice the dark veins in the leaves when planting them in your house. Moreover, this beautiful but rare variety of Silver Monstera grows more compactly than the standard variety.
Another feature that may help you distinguish El Salvador from the standard Siltepecana is its leaf size. The leaves of Monstera El Salvador grow larger than Monstera Siltepecana.
Some households like to keep their Monstera El Salvador indoors. In such scenarios, providing plant support (moss pole or sphagnum moss) may not be feasible. As the plant matures, most plant owners prefer a hanging basket to allow the plant’s leaves to hang outside the pot. While the standard variety is relatively easy to find, El Salvador can give you a tough search time.
Monstera Siltepecana vs El Salvador Comparison
The above information can help you know the primary difference between the two Monstera Siltepecana types. If we narrow down the details, the two types have various similarities and differences. We will go through both to help you choose your desired type.
Monstera Siltepecana vs El Salvador Similarities
Here are the Monstera Siltepecana and El Salvador similarities.
Soil
Both Silver Monstera varieties require a well-drained potting mix. They need airy soil to nurture properly. Many plant owners commit the error of waterlogging. Such soil hinders the movement of nutrients and air supply to the plant’s roots.
Typically, a potting mix rich in perlite, orchid bark, or coco coir can be ideal for nourishment. It allows the plant to exchange the air and remove excess water (from a drainage hole). You can choose plant pots with more drainage holes to suit your plant.
Humidity
Monstera Siltepecana and Monstera El Salvador require humid environments to nurture. Like most Monsteras, this variety of tropical plants needs a humid and warm space in the growing season. When growing indoor plants, you may place them in your bathroom or other (high humidity). You can also use a humidifier to achieve the desired level (in low humidity during the growing season).
Under ideal growing conditions, Monstera Siltepecana humidity promotes healthy plant growth. Such conditions (high humidity) are easy to achieve indoors. However, growing Siltepecana in external spaces may be challenging.
Sunlight
Another similarity between the two varieties is how they handle brighter light. Both plants require indirect light to grow. Brighter light determines how large the leaves will grow. The Monstera Siltepecana light is crucial for its nourishment. Low light encourages the growth of small Monstera leaves.
The aerial roots attach to neighboring plants (a tree trunk) and grow larger leaves. Climbing support allows them to get more indirect light, helping them to grow and prevent problems like root rot.
Temperature
Monstera Siltepecana and El Salvador grow under the same temperature conditions. While El Salvador has faster growth and larger leaves, it requires warm weather to propagate.
The ideal temperature range for healthy plant nourishment is between 60 and 90 degrees (Fahrenheit). Achieving such a temperature can be relatively easy when growing the plant indoors.
Toxicity
Both varieties of Silver Monstera are toxic to animals like cats or dogs. The Monstera Siltepecana toxic behavior is due to the presence of Calcium Oxalate crystals which cause irritation to lips, mouth, tongue, and digestive tract.
If you plan to keep it as one of your indoor plants, you may keep your pets away from the plant to avoid problems (with roots).
Common Pests
Both Monstera Siltepecana types are sensitive to some pests and common diseases. When you plant them indoors or in the backyard, you may pay close attention to the plant’s behavior to determine pest interactions.
The common pests include aphids, mealybugs, scales, and spider mites. You can use Neem oil or similar products (insecticidal soaps) on the affected section to get rid of pests.
Monstera Siltepecana El Salvador and its standard sibling also share a few common diseases. Root rot, leaf spot, and powdery mildew are among the most reported problems. Various factors (underwatered leaves, intense direct sunlight, fungus, etc.) may lead to diseased Monstera Siltepecana El Salvador.
Pruning
When it comes down to stem cuttings and pruning, both varieties show similar behavior regarding pruning methods and instruments. In some cases, you may be able to remove the dead silvery green leaves of your Monstera with a gentle pluck.
If you want to prune your Monstera plant to encourage nourishment, you may use sharp cutting instruments to prune deep green leaves.
Propagation
Propagating Monstera Siltepecana and its rare sibling isn’t difficult and requires using the same method. The process involves stem cutting and vine cutting closer to the node top. When cutting the vine, you may ensure to include one (or more) leaves, aerial roots, and a node.
Both varieties require using an aroid mix (preferably orchid bark) or clear water mediums for propagation. Moreover, using disinfected blades and sharp knives can help you in the propagation process.
Monstera Siltepecana vs El Salvador Difference
If the similarities between Monstera Siltepecana and Monstera El Salvador surprise you, let us walk you through some of the differences between the two varieties before you get one for your home.
Taxonomy
The top difference between these rare varieties of ‘The Swiss cheese plant’ is their taxonomy. Monstera Siltepecana and Monstera Siltepecana El Salvador have a different taxonomy. Although both varieties are similar in most regards, their origin differs.
Monstera El Salvador grows near Mexico, while its regular sibling grows in various parts of South and Central America.
Growing Habits
The two varieties also differ in their growing habits. If you plant Monstera Siltepecana in one pot and Monstera El Salvador in another, you may notice that the regular type grows darker leaves on the moss pole. The leaves of the regular type are also distant from each other as compared to El Salvador.
The beautiful climbing plant grows more silvery green leaves in the rare variety. You may notice the Monstera Siltepecana El Salvador leaves to be more compact and brighter. More importantly, they are larger than the (relatively) smaller leaves of the standard variety. Furthermore, El Salvador leaves grow to their maximum potential (dark green veins and silvery leaves) before climbing the moss pole entirely.
Leaf Shape
Although both varieties have similarly shaped leaves, the standard type has relatively smaller leaves with dark green veins. On the contrary, the silvery green leaves of Monstera El Salvador are comparatively larger.
You may clearly notice the silvery shade with dense green veins in El Salvador. Many households prefer this rare variety of the Monstera Siltepecana plant due to its more attractive leaves.
Fenestrations
Generally, Monstera Siltepecana does not have many noticeable fenestrations. You may notice the same trend in its rare sibling. While valid, the difference in growing habits of both types may show slight variation in the fenestrations of both plants. As the plant gets mature leaves, the standard variety may show smaller fenestrations. On the contrary, Monstera El Salvador can have slightly more prominent fenestrations.
Leaf Appearance
The leaves of both Monstera Siltepecana varieties are the most contrasting feature between the two plants. Monstera Siltepecana has darker and relatively smaller leaves, whereas the silver monstera leaves are brighter, have a silvery pattern, and are larger in size.
Stems
If you look closely, the Monstera Siltepecana stem is darker than the Monstera El Salvador. Moreover, the compact leaves in El Salvador allow the nodes to be more closely distant than those of the standard variety.
Fruits and Flowers
When it comes down to fruits and flowers, both Monstera Siltepecana varieties do not have edible fruits. They may flower when grown in the wild, but indoor plants do not grow flowers either.
Growth Rate
If you observe the growth rate of both varieties, you may notice that El Salvador grows faster than its sibling. It is one of the reasons behind its much larger leaves and compact growth. On the other side, the standard Monstera Siltepecana grows relatively slower. However, its growth is much faster than other Monstera plants.
Price
The price of the two varieties is another contrasting factor when reviewing the Monstera Siltepecana vs. El Salvador comparison. While both varieties are rare to find, El Salvador costs more than the regular type due to its limited availability. You may check the prices of both to compare the difference.
Petiole
The petiole of a plant (generally) depends on the leaf size and shape. If you closely look at the standard Monstera Siltepecana, you may find its petiole relatively darker and thinner than El Salvador. While the difference is insignificant, it is one of the differences between the two types.
Dry Leaves
Generally, the leaves of Monstera Siltepecana are soft due to their moisture intake. While valid, you may notice the darker leaves of the standard variety to be slightly drier than the silvery leaves of El Salvador. Here, it is worth remembering that you may rarely notice the dryness on either plant’s leaves.
Native Habitat
The native habitat of Monstera Siltepecana is South and Central America. This plant grows in humid and hot environments with sufficient bright indirect sunlight. While Monstera Siltepecana El Salvador grows under similar conditions, its native habitat is Mexico and its surrounding lands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monstera Siltepecana and El Salvador the same?
Monstera Siltepecana and Monstera Siltepecana El Salvador are different varieties of the same plant. The former has relatively darker (green) leaves in a smaller size. On the contrary, the leaves of El Salvador are much larger and silvery. Moreover, Monstera Siltepecana El Salvador grows faster than its regular form.
Is Monstera Siltepecana rare?
Monstera Siltepecana is a rare variety in the Monstera genus. However, it is affordable at most nurseries due to its rising popularity.
Is Monstera Siltepecana a type of philodendron?
Technically, Monstera Siltepecana is not a philodendron due to its different genus. However, both plant types belong to the arum family.
Where can I buy Monstera El Salvador?
If you want to buy Monstera El Salvador, you may explore nurseries in your area or search online to place your order at some credible plant store websites.
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.
