Monstera lechleriana

Natural range and habitat of Monstera lechleriana

Monstera lechleriana occurs naturally from Panama into northern and western South America, extending south to Bolivia. In wet tropical forest it climbs tree trunks, using aerial roots to hold the stem against its support. As the plant matures, the active shoot and its larger leaves gather close to the trunk.

Caring for Monstera lechleriana

Keep, with moderate humidity and away from cold draughts. Grow it in bright filtered light with warm temperatures and moderate humidity. A chunky aroid mix should drain freely after thorough watering; let the upper portion dry before watering again and keep the root ball out of continuous saturation.

As the canopy gains weight, check that both pot and support remain stable. Feed moderately while new leaves are growing. Move to a slightly larger pot when roots crowd the current container and need more space so air still reaches the roots.

Temperature: Monstera lechleriana grows steadily at about 18–25 °C. Move it out of the coldest area before temperatures remain below 10 °C.

Support the weight of the future crown. Use a tall, stable climbing surface and secure the stem against it, keeping the leaf stalks outside the ties. Keeping the leading shoot intact helps the plant build the close-spaced mature head.

Propagation. Propagate from a healthy stem cutting that includes at least one node; an existing aerial root can help the cutting establish.

Common issues with Monstera lechleriana

• Large leaves stay widely spaced and the crown never tightens: Immaturity is possible, but weak light, poor climbing contact or root stress can also limit the mature leaf cluster. Stabilise the support and improve light gradually if the position is dim. If roots have filled the pot, move up one pot size; if the substrate has collapsed or roots are soft, refresh the root zone before cutting the leader.
• Several leaves yellow while the mix remains wet: Check drainage and the roots before watering again. Preserve roots that remain firm, clear away only soft or hollow decay, and renew the substrate with an airy mix when the root zone has broken down. Use the root rot guide if soft roots confirm rot.
• Brown edges recur across otherwise healthy leaves: if the root ball is repeatedly drying hard, shorten the interval slightly; if fertiliser residue has accumulated, flush the mix. If roots are damaged, preserve the firm roots, remove only soft or hollow decay and renew the root zone with an airy mix before changing the watering interval. The brown leaf tips guide helps separate these causes.
• Pests: New growth with silver scars and black specks points to thrips, stippling with webbing to mites, cottony clusters to mealybugs, and fixed bumps to scale. Isolate the plant and inspect the tight crown, old leaf bases and leaf undersides. Remove visible pests or badly affected material where practical, then apply a treatment labelled for the confirmed pest to the tight crown, old leaf bases and both leaf surfaces. Repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course.

Monstera lechleriana 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.

What does the name Monstera lechleriana mean?

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 epithet lechleriana honours the German botanist and plant collector Wilhelm Lechler.

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

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott first described Monstera lechleriana in 1860 in Prodromus Systematis Aroidearum, page 366.