Monstera Dilacerata Care – The Ultimate Guide

Over the years, there have been a lot of discrepancies in the identification of monstera dilacerata, as well as its label. 

Regardless, this plant is among the rarest and the most sought-after plants amid other Monstera plants which are over forty-five in number. 

If you are someone who is into collecting rare plants, then monstera dilacerata is a great choice.

This article contains everything you need to grow a monstera dilacerata plant. The topic includes,

• Monstera Dilacerata Identification
• Monstera Dilacerata Care
• Best Place To Grow Monstera Dilacerata
• Pruning Monstera Dilacerata
• Monstera Dilacerata Propagation
• Monstera Dilacerata Toxicity
• Monstera Dilacerata Common Problems
• Lot’s more.

Let’s get started with monstera dilacerata identification.

How To Identify Monstera Dilacerata?

This amazing plant can be recognized from its structural looks. To identify this plant, you need to locate the pinnae of the leaf, study carefully, and if the pinnae seem narrow and constricted into a wedge-like shape then such plant can be identified as monstera dilacerata.

Additionally, monstera dilacerata is known for its attenuate leaves and broad fenestration. This plant is commonly compared with other monstera plants in its species. 

However, some individuals are of the opinion that monstera dilacerata is Epipremnum pinnatum or Burle Marx Flame or Bone Monstera. Regardless, in this guide, we identify this plant as Monstera Dilacerata.

This plant is not commonly found and it is restrictively distributed. M. dilacerata immature plants are most commonly found compared to adult plants. The mature plants are about two meters above the ground floor when they have sprung. 

It is important to distinguish between an undeveloped monstera dilacerata plant and one that is matured enough to bear fruits. The reason for this is that the process of care between them differs slightly.

Monstera Dilacerata Care

Plants are known for their fragileness, and M. dilacerata is not exempted from this trait. There are important factors that must be considered to prolong the continuing survival of this plant. Some of these care guides are;

Soil Requirements 

The most favorable soil type for a monstera dilacerata is organic soil. As such, the soil must consist of moisture-holding materials such as leaves, barks, wood chips; manure such as living organism excretions and; compost such as decaying plants.

This soil mix should compose about half of the soil, while the other part should comprise sands suitable for potting soil mixed with leaf molds. It is proper if the soil mix is not too condensed, but should be humus-rich. 

Temperature Requirements

As a tropical plant, the ideal temperature for such a plant is 50ºF (10°C), never less. Monstera dilacerata dwells suitably under a warm temperature. This is why it is quite demanding when nurturing such a plant in a country with a cold climate. 

To deal with this temperature, you can work out indoor gardening, outdoor gardening when warm, or you can implore the use of some facilities. For example, heat packs are used to keep plants insulated and warm, which is excellent for the winter weather.

Light Requirements

A beaming light shade is suitable for monstera dilacerata plants.

However, direct sunlight should be utterly avoided in order to protect the plant’s color and growth. 

Watering Monstera Dilacerata

Watering is one of the most important factors that must be considered to seamlessly nurture your plant into blossom and gorgeous aroid plant. 

In this light, it is essential to note that aroid plants can tolerate dryness because of their nature. But if not preserved sooner, it might lead to the plant’s death. Additionally, the watering of plants can not be too much or too little. 

The reason for this depends on the temperature, nature of the plant, humidity, climatic condition, plant size, etc. 

Therefore, you should study your plant and learn what it needs. Watering the plant between weeks won’t be such a bad plan, but must be strictly adhered to.

Humidity Requirements

As an aroid plant, Monstera Dilecrerata can be nurtured in an environment with decent humidity. And can certainly survive in an environment with high humidity which is most advantageous.

Normally, when the humidity is not right, it is difficult for plants to form water vapor or take moisture from the soil. Therefore, in order to ensure that your plant retains its moisture, you can intensify the humidity in the room in the following ways.

• Planting your M. dilacerata with pebbles on a tray.
• Nurturing your plant in a luminous washroom.
• Making use of humidifiers.
• Employing the use of terrariums.

Fertilizing Monstera Dilacerata

Fertilizers are best used when planting a genus like Monstera. You can search for the best fertilizers for your plant but when using the fertilizer, ensure that;

• The fertilizer is mixed well with water.
• You make use of organic fertilizers.
• You reduce feeding as the plant matures. And avoid feeding in a cold climate.
• For the best result, include diluted control products such as insecticides on an interval basis.

Best Place To Grow Monstera Dilacerata

This is a tropical plant that emanates from an undiscovered geographical location. It took quite some time for an identifiable label to be placed on this plant. But it is commonly identified as having a pinnatifid leaf that extends to the peak of the stem.

Additionally, this plant is most times discovered in uncovered areas or dim forests. However, the best place to grow the monstera dilacerata plant is in a place with warm climatic temperature, and moderate to high humidity. 

As such, these plants are mostly found in a forest, under a shade, where they are not directly exposed to sunlight, and during rainfall, they take as much water as needed. Monstera dilacerata plants dwell suitably in places where it hardly ever falls below 50ºF (10°C).

Also, the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones make provision for ascertaining the climatic conditions of any place in the United States. This helps you to know which specific location is most suitable for a plant. 

Pruning Monstera Dilacerata

Pruning of plants such as monstera dilacerata can be done in numerous ways. The reason why pruning is done is to securely make room for new growth. Pruning removes dead cells on the plant.

First and foremost, you can prune your plant by taking away any yellowish or dry leaves that may or may not have fallen to the plant’s tray or pot. However, you need to do this in a way that would not hurt the healthy part of your plants. 

Secondly, you can prune the dead cells of your plant by trimming the vines below the leaves. You can also execute this by slightly scraping off developed growth to make room for new steaming vines.

It should be noted that this consists of trimming and picking here and there. The essence of this is to give your plant a new, healthy, and full look. Also, pests can find their way easily to your plants if they are unhealthy or filled with dead leaves or cells.

It is highly recommendable to regularly trim your plant, keep it in a bright place, and allow it to bask in its beauty.

Monstera Dilacerata Propagation

Propagating M. dilacerata can be done by trimming, in water, and layering. Regardless of which method you decide to try out, you should understand that propagating is the procedure of developing new leaves from seed, stems, cuts, etc.

For tip trimming, operating with leaf nodes(two or more) and a scissor, take the tip of a stem and cut it, but ensure that the plant is matured enough. 

You would be left with the bottom side of the bud which you are to tweak slightly. Parts, where there are no stems, would not propagate.

Afterwards, plant it back in the soil pot while keeping a node underneath the soil in the pot, maintain the suitable temperature, preserve the wet, and leave it in a bright place. In about eight weeks the trim would have settled and the stem would start taking roots.

To practice the water method, once you have done all the trimming of the stem tip with the nodes and all, the next thing to do is keep the plant in an open jar that is narrowly deep. This means the water only gets to touch the nodes and not the leaves.

Also, monstera dilacerata are known as plants that can live and survive in water. The problem lies in their growth. Once they are unable to blossom in the right way or not being able to spring up properly, the plant might wither.

Finally, the layering method involves implanting a part of the matured plant and dividing them. Place the nodes underneath the soil and wait for it to germinate in about two weeks without constant examination. 

Each propagating method helps to protect your plant and ensure a healthy production of a new leaf. Whichever method you select, ensure it is suitable for you, and then give it a try.

Monstera Dilacerata Toxicity

Beneath the evergreen and attractive leaf is a poisonous substance that is toxic to humans, pets, and other living organisms. This is why it is strongly recommended that children or pets should steer clear of monstera dilacerata.

However, M. dilacerata is not toxic to touch. But once touched with your hand and the same hand touches your mouth or tongue, it can give rise to a kind of irritation or numbness. 

Therefore, it is advisable to use gloves, or once the hand is used directly, wash immediately and avoid direct contact with any part of your body. 

Additionally, M. dilacerata has low toxicity and the reason for this is because of the low level of Calcium Oxalate Crystals in the plant. 

Calcium oxalate crystals are harmful to humans but can be curtailed if discovered early enough to prevent the illnesses that come with them. 

Therefore, one should avoid consuming the content of monstera dilacerata plants until they are ripe and edible. 

Common Problems Of Monstera Dilacerata

Plants are commonly associated with an issue or the other. As a fragile component, they are to be nurtured in a specific kind of way, and failure to do this could lead to some problems that are most times hard to get rid of. 

However, some of the common problems of monstera dilacerata are;

Leaf and Stem Rot

Although monstera dilacerata are known to be able to resist drought or dry seasons, when adequate care is not given to the plant, it could cause the plant to rot and later on wither. 

Another common reason for a plant rotting is when it is constantly overwatered. This can cause the leaves of the plant to thin out, thereby sucking out the nutrients and moisture in the plant. This is where drought stress comes into place.

Drought stress can be handled by numerous plants in distinct ways. However, drought stress can cause depletion of the leaf size, dry moisture, less water usefulness, and so on.  

Bacterial leaf spot diseases

These are dark brown spots that are located on the yellowish part of the leaf. These dark spots are usually similar to each other. If proper treatment is not done fast, the brown spot can become so brittle to the extent that it dries out and drops.

To treat this kind of bacterial infestation on your plant, it is recommendable to try cutting the affected area. You have to do this carefully and be mind-conscious because you are dealing with bacteria. They definitely can not be seen but can be bad for your health.

In the light of these circumstances, you either cut the affected area or use chemical products. This should be your last option because the chemical can go as far as killing your plant completely. Therefore, this depends on the severity of the case.

Unsplittled Plants

What is a Monstera plant without the split? This mostly has to do with the fertilization and lightning technique. However, before diving into that method, try to wait a few days and check out if the split of the new leaf would still come up.

And if not, you may try putting the plant in a bright room where the plant can grow toward the plant, but with no direct contact with the sun. In addition to this, you can aid the growth of the plant by fertilizing and watering.

Pest Infestation 

Monstera dilacerata plants are tropical plants and do not attract so many pests, but this does not avoid the natural circumstance of coming across a pest on your plant. Pests are more often attracted to unhealthy leaves than healthy leaves. 

The most common pests for M. dilacerata leaves are mealybugs and spider mites. However, this pest can be avoided by simply keeping your plant clean and healthy. 

With the right amount of sunshine, and the right amount of cleanliness, and fertilization, you can avoid pest infestation.

However, if you notice pests on your plant, depending on its severity, you can wash up the plant with a hose or something that can wash down the pests. You can also remove and burn the affected area to avoid further spread. 

Dry Edges

Another problem associated with monstera dilacerata plants is the capability to form dry and brittle dark edges. This only means that the plant is exposed to too much light or there is a low amount of water in the plant.

Regardless, trim off the edges and make your plant happy by making a slight shade or watering it more.

Yellow leaves

Yellow leaves may be in two parts; at the surrounding of the other good plant or along the leaf edges (Chlorosis). Yellow leaves in monstera dilacerata may be caused by overwatering or underwatering.  

To determine which option is causing the plant’s yellow nature, feel the leaf, if it is soggy then overwater; and if it is dry, then underwater. 

Either way, you can fix this problem by removing the affected area and reducing the water content, drying it up, or watering the plant. This depends on the issue at hand.

Additionally, if the yellowish part does not cover the whole part of the leaf, this may be a fungus disease. For example, Anthracnose causes a yellowish part of a plant and leaves a dark brown mark on the leaf.

This fungal disease can cause a reduction of the plant’s nutrients thereby leaving it dry, brittle, and susceptible to death. 

To treat Anthracnose, you need to remove the affected part of the plant. Afterwards, you are to spray the plant with fungicides made out of copper. As a chemical, it could cause harm to the entirety of your plant, so you need to be very careful.

In sum, you can prevent Anthracnose by imploring the use of health transplants, watering the plant, preventing matured fruits from coming in contact with the soil, etc.

Wrapping Up 

The varying sides of the care guide are to give an explicit and detailed narrative on the dicentra plant. This plant is a variety of the Monstera plants and most of these plants are distinguishable but quite similar. 

Getting a M. dilacerata plant may be difficult for you because it is rare, but not impossible. I would implore you to get this alluring, captivating, and stunning plant. The plant can also be used for interior or exterior decoration.

The structure and captivating nature of the plant make it undoubtedly useful as a decorative tool. In your garden, you can cultivate the plant and place it in a clean and perfect place where it can rightly lean on the sunshade. 

However, always consider the distinct factors essential to be reviewed if you are thinking of growing a monstera dilacerata plant. 

The process of taking care of the monstera dilacerata plant is straightforward. It depends more on your knowledge of the subject matter and the place of growth. 

In any case, the ultimate guide is here to help with that issue. I hope the article helps you nurture your Monstera dilacerata into a healthy and blossomed plant.

Sources

To back up the information we provide in our articles, the Plantials team only uses high-quality sources published in peer-reviewed university or scientific research journals.

1. A Revision Of Monstera, Harvard University Herbaria
2. The Genus Epipremnum Schott (Araceae-Monsteroideae-Monstereae) In West And Central Malesia, Naturals Journals & Series
3. Typification Of Scindapsus Dilaceratus (Araceae), Missouri Botanical Garden Journal
4. A Review Of Epipremnum (Araceae) In Cultivation, Malesiana Tropicals