Monstera siltepecana (Silver Monstera)

Botanical & Common Names
- Botanical name: Monstera Siltepecana
- Common names: Silver Monstera

Background & Origin
The Monstera siltepecana is quite a rare and fascinating plant. Native to tropical areas in Central America and Mexico this is an epiphytic plant. In it juvenile stage the leave have a lance shape that are dark green with silver markings but as the mature they can develop fenestrations and lose the silver to become dark green, completely changing the way it looks.


Care Level
- Care level: Easy
- Suitable for beginners: Yes!

What It Loves
- Bright indirect sunlight
- A consistent watering routine
- Some humidity

What It Dislikes
- Overwatering or sitting in soggy soil
- Cold draughts
- Prolonged direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves

Best Rooms for This Plant
- Living rooms
- Bathroom
- Kitchens
- Bedrooms

Growth Potential
- Typical height indoors: Up 30-50 cm tall with time
- Typical spread: Up to 30-50 cm wide
- Growth rate: Fast during spring and summer
- Pruning required: Occasional, to manage size or old foliage

Care difficulty: Very hardy and easy to care for.

Light requirements: Prefer bright indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause the leaves to burn.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Water thoroughly but allow this plant to dry out mostly between waterings.

Humidity: Can do well in normal household conditions but will enjoy some humidity. Grouping humidity-loving plants together can help, as can placing pots of a wet pebble tray. You can mist the area around the foliage although this will only increase humidity temporarily. Humidifiers, kitchens, bathrooms are also beneficial to increase humidity.

Feeding: can be fed in the growing season during spring and summer every 2 weeks, but refrain from feeding in winter.

Toxicity: Toxic to pets and humans if eaten.

Repotting: Repot once a year to encourage further growth or when it has outgrown its current pot.