Monstera deliciosa variegata 'Mint'

Forests of southern Mexico and Guatemala

Southern Mexico and Guatemala are home to wild Monstera deliciosa, which grows from dry forest and humid lowlands to foothill rain forest and cloud forest.

Care for fenestrated aroid roots and climbing growth

Growth and support: Provide a rigid vertical support early and keep the stem close to it. Do not bind leaf stalks, emerging leaves or aerial roots.

Ongoing care: If a shoot stays solid green or becomes almost entirely pale, cut it back to the last stem node where both green and mint tissue are visible.

Light: Choose a bright position with filtered light. Green areas contain most of the chlorophyll, while the pale mint marbling needs protection from intense direct sun.

Watering: Water when the upper layer has dried and the middle of the root ball is only lightly moist. Rewet the complete pot and let all surplus drain; avoid standing water and prolonged severe drying around the climbing stem and aerial roots.

Troubleshooting patterned leaves and climbing growth in Monstera deliciosa variegata 'Mint'

Normal leaf pattern and shape

Fine pale marbling is this plant’s established Mint pattern. Repeated very pale or greener leaves can be shortened at an earlier node carrying both green and mint tissue. Compare several later leaves before intervening; stable firm patterning does not require treatment.

Yellowing, wilt or brown edges

Roots in wet compacted mix may stop supplying water even while the pot feels damp. Remove fully dead roots and replace the collapsed substrate around the firm ones. A dry rootball can produce similar wilt. Feel below the surface and through the centre before repotting or watering heavily.

Spots, scorch or physical damage

When many leaf edges brown, inspect the rootball and review recent feeding. Damaged roots or fertiliser salts can brown several leaf edges, while scorch is usually confined to the exposed side. Wet spots or spots with pale edges that spread require isolation. Water only the substrate and allow the leaves to remain dry. Separate the plant if raised orange-brown material appears and check if it is rust.

Pest signs on leaves and nodes

A freshly opened blade carrying silver lines and dark droppings should be checked inside the folds for thrips. A clean tear touching a pole or neighbouring stem is more likely rubbing. Search nodes, leaf undersides and old leaf bases for fixed scales, cottony mealybugs and the sticky residue they produce. After visible pests are removed, inspect again for hidden young stages. Test any spray on a small patterned section before wider use.

Changes to check

Move the plant away from other aroids if an unfamiliar colour change appears together with distorted leaves, shortened growth or general decline.

Monstera deliciosa variegata ‘Mint’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Where does the name Monstera deliciosa come from?

Monstera comes from Latin monstrum or monstrosus, words for something unusual or abnormally formed, referring to the striking holes and divisions in the leaves. The Latin epithet deliciosa means delicious, referring to the edible ripe fruit.

Michel Adanson established the genus Monstera in 1763 in Familles des plantes, volume 2, page 470.

Frederik Michael Liebmann first described Monstera deliciosa in 1849 in Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra den Naturhistoriske Forening i Kjøbenhavn, volume 1, page 19.