Monstera Adansonii – Philodendron Monkey Mask

Monstera Adansonii

COMMON NAME: Philodendron Monkey Mask

A cute name for a cute plant and so called due to the (vague?) resemblance of the leaves to that of a cheeky monkey.

A close relative of the Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa), the Philodendron Monkey Mask is often also referred to as Philodendron or Monstera Obliqua, however a true Obliqua is more hole than leaf and nowhere near as attractive as this little chap.

Monstera adansonii is easy to care for so long as it has moist, warm conditions. The plant has a vining habit and often grows entwined in and around itself, with new leaves and vines sometimes growing through the holes in existing leaves. This can lead to leaves tearing which gives the plant a shabby chic rather that pristine appeal.

Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but will tolerate moderate shade. Avoid direct sunlight.

Water: Water when the soil has started to dry out.

Temperature: Monstera like warm conditions from 18-27°C. Anything lower than this will reduce the plant’s growth rate. It will tolerate 12°C and above but avoid cold draughts.

Humidity: Happy with average to high humidity levels. Cannot cope in dry air situations.

Feed: Feed once a month with a balanced fertiliser during the growing period.

Care Tips: Wipe the leaves occasionally to remove accumulated dust. Leaves do tear and bruise easily, giving the plant a rugged, worn appearance rather than a pristine look. Remove any damaged leaves as necessary.

Areca Palm – Special Ceramic Pot

Areca palm (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) is one of the most widely used palms for bright interiors. It features feathery, arching fronds, each with up to 100 leaflets. These big, bold plants command attention.
It is hard to believe that the areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) was once an endangered species. Drive down almost any street in a warm climate, and you are likely to see dozens of these tall, attractive, clumping palms that look a lot like bamboo. The palms have smooth, sometimes golden trunks that are reminiscent of bamboo clumps. Their fronds are narrow and full, almost like bamboo leaves. When grown outdoors, they are often used as a privacy screen. These palms also are grown indoors as houseplants. They are best planted in the spring, and they have a slow to moderate growth rate.

Light

Outdoors, these plants like bright, filtered sunlight, but they also can tolerate full sun. Ideally, they should have protection from the strong afternoon sun, as too severe of light can scorch the foliage. Indoors, areca palms do best with bright light exposure from a south- or west-facing window.

Soil

For potted indoor plants, a well-draining, peat-based potting mix is perfect. Outdoor specimens do best with a rich, slightly acidic soil that has very good drainage. Amending with sand and peat moss might be necessary to improve porousness and lower the pH of the soil.

Water

Like many palms, areca palms like moist soil, but they are sensitive to overwatering and cannot tolerate being waterlogged or sitting in a water-saturated potting mix. So let the soil or potting mix dry out slightly between waterings. Areca palms also are sensitive to fluoridated water, so use distilled water or collected rainwater.1

Temperature and Humidity

Indoors or outdoors, this plant does best in average temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It will do fine planted in the garden in regions where outdoor temperatures don’t dip below about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. When grown as an indoor plant, keep the leaves away from cold windows, air conditioners, and heat sources. And if you place potted plants outside during the summer, be sure to bring them in before temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Sudden cold bursts can cause dark spots on the leaves. Furthermore, high humidity is essential to keeping an areca palm looking its best. The plant will acclimate to normal indoor humidity. But if the air is too dry, it is common for the leaf tips to turn brown.

Fertilizer

The areca palm is a heavy feeder and requires fertilizing from spring to early fall with a liquid fertilizer, following label instructions. Do not feed during the late fall and winter when the plant is dormant.

Pachira Multi Head

Pachira is an incredible indoor plant, with decisively modern appeal.

Name – Pachira
Family – Bombacaceae
Type – tree, indoor plant

Height –

• 32 to 64 feet (10 to 20 m) in its natural environment
• 6 ½ feet (2 meters) as an indoor plant

Exposure – abundant indirect light
Soil – soil mix
Foliage – evergreen
Flowering – January to December