Millennials’ love of houseplants has been reignited through social media. One plant in particular has achieved fame—at least on Instagram. Huge, glossy, dark green leaves with intriguing perforations that don’t even suggest carelessness quickly bring to mind a tropical rainforest. It’s a delicious Monstera plant. Or is it a philodendron with split leaves?
The tropical monstera, as it is commonly known, is a native of Mexico and is mostly valued for its fruit (hence the scientific name). However, it also does well as a houseplant: It can grow remarkably big, tolerates moderate levels of sunlight, and doesn’t require much water.
This plant has several different names, some of which refer to its attractive foliage and others to its excellent fruit (“fruit salad plant” and “monster fruit”). If the conditions are right, those leaves grow holes. One monstrous term for the holes is “Swiss cheese plant.” Split-leaf philodendron is an additional.
If you enjoy gardening, you’re probably already familiar with several of the flowering plants of the philodendron genus, such as the peace lily. Technically speaking, the monstera isn’t even a philodendron.
The arum family, a much bigger group of plants that also contains the perennially well-liked pothos, one of the nicest and simplest houseplants in the world, comprises both monstera and true philodendrons. The requirements for water, light, and climate are identical among all of these plants, and they all contain calcium oxalate, which makes them poisonous to both people and animals. Numerous of these plants feature unusually shaped leaves, such as those with lacy fingers, wide lobes, heart-shaped leaves, or vivid pink veins. Even though the monstera isn’t a philodendron, it undoubtedly behaves and looks like one.
This is where things become challenging. The names split-leaf philodendron refer to two actual philodendron species, Philodendron bipinnatifidum and Philodendron selloum. Despite being wholly different species from monstera, these two plants sometimes share the same moniker. It’s no wonder we’re perplexed!
It might be difficult to name plants because they can have completely different names depending on where you are or who is describing them. Even the names of common plants can vary by generation and locale. You should probably start reviewing your Latin names!
Are philodendron and monstera the same thing?
Actually belonging to a distinct plant family, monsteras are cultivated for their fruit in Mexico and Costa Rica. The enormous, tasty fruit that they produce gives the plant its name, Monstera deliciosa. Their leaves grow enormously, so the term “monster fruit, and can be rather spectacular, with almost-white variegation patterns.
The same family as pothos includes trailing vines called philodendrons. Actually, philodendron’s translation is “love tree, possibly due to their leaves’ heart-shaped design. Their leaves develop much more like a pothos and never become as large as monstera leaves.
And this is when it becomes complicated. There are two actual split-leaf philodendron species, however they don’t have as as striking of leaves as the monstera deliciosa.
Is a Monstera a Philodendron?
No! A philodendron is more closely linked to the pothos, the most popular houseplant in the world, even though they both belong to the same broader family. The peace lily and monsteras are more linked to one another.
Philodendrons make excellent hanging plants since they are somewhat simpler to grow and trail down from their containers like vines. Variegated types of them are easier to grow, more widely available, and less expensive.
Monsteras don’t grow well as hanging plants and require a little more light than philodendrons, at least if you want the dramatic split-leaf pattern on their leaves. In fact, a monstera that lacks adequate light and loses its divided leaves resembles a philodendron quite a bit.
Monstera vs. Split-Leaf Philodendron: Which Should I Buy?
I’m a huge fan of indoor plants, so both! Each houseplant enthusiast should have both in their collection, along with your fiddle leaf fig and ferns, as they are actually quite different. Put your philodendron in a hanging container next to a pothos in a dimly lit area. It will flourish in practically any situation and slowly enlarge like a vine.
Place your monstera in more light and watch out for over-watering. (Read our comprehensive guide to watering monsteras here.)
Watch out for signs of leaf drop, yellowing, or losing the split-leaf pattern on its leaves. Give your plant additional light if you notice these issues. (Click here to view the Monstera Leaf Care Ultimate Guide.)
No matter which houseplant you decide to buy—a monstera, a philodendron, or both—make sure to give it enough of sunlight, not too much water, and weekly attention.
Is a Swiss cheese plant the same as a split-leaf philodendron?
People regularly mix up the terms monstera and philodendron and frequently do so. In fact, it’s not unusual to encounter Monstera in your neighborhood nursery or plant store that has been mislabeled as a split-leaf Philodendron. Even the internet can’t seem to agree because some threads and blogs on plant care say Monstera and split-leaf Philodendron are the same plant while others say they’re not, and searching for pictures doesn’t seem to help either. You are not the only one who is uncertain about whether a Monstera is a variety of Philodendron.
Is a Split-Leaf Philodendron the same as a Monstera Deliciosa? They are not the same plant, though. Monsteras and split-leaf Philodendrons are of a separate genus and species, while belonging to the same scientific class, order, and family, and even though they may resemble one another, especially when they are young.
Although the phrases are sometimes used interchangeably, the two plants are not the same in terms of science. Knowing the differences between split-leaf Philodendrons and Monsteras may help you better understand plant taxonomy and may prevent you from inadvertently buying the incorrect houseplant. Read on to discover the similarities and differences between monsteras and philodendrons.
A philodendron is a Swiss cheese plant, right?
Cut Leaf, Monstera Delicias, or Swiss Cheese Plant A big, showy houseplant with striking leaves is the philodendron. A mature leaf’s length can reach almost three feet, and its margins have deep, crooked incisions. This easy-to-grow house plant gets its common name from holes that form in the leaf. The huge leafed plant is given interest by the holes, which are endearingly uneven. The leaves are a lustrous, dark green color.
Despite having heart-shaped leaves that resemble the familiar heart-leaf philodendron, immature Monstera deliciosa is not a philodendron.
Since many years, Swiss Cheese Plants have been a well-liked indoor specimen that add a lovely tropical touch and can lighten a corner in a big room or workplace. The vibrant green leaves give a space with muted decor a splash of color.
Monstera deiciosa, a native of the rain forests of Central America, cannot endure temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Stay away from chilly drafts.
What kind of philodendron is Monstera Adansonii?
Some plants might be difficult to distinguish, even for seasoned plant aficionados. This might be the case since some plants, such those with leaves in the shape of hearts, have similar names to others. Even some garden centers mistakenly name Monstera adansonii and Philodendron, two plants that are frequently confused with one another.
Are Philodendron and Monstera adansonii the same plant? No. Monstera adansonii and Philodendron are two separate plants, despite the fact that some individuals mistakenly use these names to refer to the same thing. Despite this, some plants do share some traits and are connected in several ways.
How do you tell these plants apart if they are distinct yet related and appear alike? Read on for practical advice and some scientific details to help you comprehend the similarities and differences between Monstera adansonii and Philodendron plants. What came first? visiting the science class!
Monstera is a type of plant, right?
Native to Central America, monstera is a genus of evergreen tropical vines and shrubs. Their common name, Swiss Cheese Plant, originated from their well-known natural leaf-holes. Fenestrations, the name for the Monstera’s leaf holes, are thought to optimize the amount of sunlight that reaches the forest floor by spreading the leaf out wider while using fewer leaf cells to support it.
Are philodendrons pothos?
The scientific discipline of taxonomy is involved with categorizing groupings of biological creatures. It is used to provide names to plants and animals as well as to categorize them into genera and families. When it comes to plants, taxonomy mostly focuses on botanical nomenclature.
The genera of pothos and philodendrons are two independent and distinct plant species. While philodendron belongs to the Philodendron genus, pothos is a member of the Epipremnum genus. Pothos and philodendron are members of the same plant family, the aroid plant family, so they indeed have a common ancestor (Araceae).
What characterizes a philodendron plant?
The leaves are often big and imposing, frequently deeply cut or lobed, and may or may not be pinnate. There are many different conceivable shapes for them, including oval and spear-shaped. On the stem, the leaves are borne alternately. Philodendrons are known for having a variety of leaves on the same plant, which is one of its characteristics. Instead, they have leaves that are either juvenile or adult, which can differ greatly from one another. Early in the plant’s life, the leaves of seedling philodendrons are often heart-shaped. But once it has developed through the seedling stage, the leaves will take on the size and shape of a typical juvenile leaf. The philodendron begins developing adult leaves later on in its life cycle, a process known as metamorphosis. [8] The majority of philodendrons undergo transformation gradually; juvenile and adult leaves don’t vary noticeably right away. [9] Adult leaves can have a drastically different shape from juvenile leaves in addition to being normally much larger. In reality, these variations have historically presented significant taxonomic challenges, leading to the misclassification of juvenile and adult plants as separate species.
There are several different factors that might cause leaves to change into adult leaves. The plant’s height is one potential cause. The juvenile-type leaves of secondary hemiepiphytes are displayed as they ascend a tree from the dark forest floor. When they are tall enough, they start to produce leaves of the adult variety. When they grow high enough in the canopy, the light becomes intense enough for the larger adult leaves to be useful. The smaller juvenile leaves are employed for the darker forest floor where light is limited. In the primary hemiepiphytes, there is another potential trigger. The aerial roots of these philodendrons usually point downward. The plant will start absorbing nutrients from the soil that it had been deficient in once its roots had reached the ground below. [10] As a result, the plant will rapidly change into its adult leaves and substantially expand in size. The fact that philodendron leaves frequently differ significantly in size and shape even amongst plants of the same species is another characteristic of this genus. Because there are so many conceivable leaf shapes, it is frequently challenging to distinguish between morphogenesis and spontaneous variations.
Why are monstrousas so well-liked?
One of the most well-liked indoor plants in the world, Monstera deliciosa grows quickly and requires little maintenance. Variegated forms of this plant can fetch prices in the hundreds of dollars, and its striking, punctured leaves are frequently seen on everything from posters to pillow slips.
Monstera uses aerial roots to climb trees in the Central American jungle where it lives in order to reach the forest canopy. Josh Gray and Clare Keleher Gray’s ability to climb signifies a change in their surroundings. The duo works in a crucial koala habitat in the hinterland of the Gold Coast.
“According to Gray, who works for Envite, an organization that promotes ecological restoration, invasive weeds are the second biggest threat to our biosphere after land destruction.
Small roots and rapid development enable the Australian giants Toona ciliata (Australian red cedar), Eucalyptus grandis (flooded gum), and Eucalyptus tereticornis to be reached by Monstera (forest red gum). Koalas and other animals primarily eat from these trees. “Koalas cannot obtain food when a tree is completely covered in something that has the potential to change the environment, such as monstera, according to Gray.
Keleher Gray, a bush regenerator, observes the connection between pests and potted plants on the sites where she works. “I work with individual landowners that want to promote the regrowth of natural vegetation. They aim for more than just aesthetic beauty in their gardens. They want them to serve as wildlife habitats.
Her methods of management include painting vines with pesticide and scraping the roots of vines “With monstera, there is a problem with the climbing vines’ small size and aerial roots. Their small leaves make it difficult to treat them without also damaging the host tree.
Fortunately, monstera infestations are still regarded as localized events for the time being.
What is Monstera deliciosa’s common name?
A species of flowering plant known as Monstera deliciosa, often known as the Swiss cheese plant[2] or split-leaf philodendron[3], is indigenous to the tropical woods of southern Mexico and Panama.
[4] It has been brought to many tropical regions, and in Hawaii, the Seychelles, Ascension Island, and the Society Islands, it has become a mildly invasive species. It is extensively cultivated as a houseplant in temperate regions.
The allied species of Monstera adansonii, which belong to the same genus, are also referred to by the common name “Swiss cheese plant.”
[5] Even though neither plant belongs to the genus Philodendron, the popular name “split-leaf philodendron” is also applied to the species Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum. [3]
What distinguishes the Swiss cheese plant from the Monstera?
This is when things start to get a little tricky! Monstera is the name of the plant genus, however numerous different species of Monstera share the common name “Swiss cheese plant.” Monstera deliciosa, which has long-lobed leaves and elongated holes, is the most common species (though young leaves may not have these holes). Another related plant, Monstera epipremnoides, has essentially identical appearance, with the exception that its leaves have long slashes rather than holes along the edges. And Monstera adansonii has leaves with holes in the shape of hearts. Whichever species you choose to purchase, they are all lovely, low-maintenance plants with comparable requirements.
What kind of plant resembles a philodendron?
When it’s a pothos, a philodendron ceases to be a philodendron (which is the common name for the genus Epipremnum).
We decided it was time to clear up any confusion about the similarities and differences between these two low-maintenance vines because they are frequently confused with one another.
On slender, flexible stems, philodendron vine-forming species (which is also the name of their genus) develop leaves with a heart-like structure.
The plant below is called pothos and has bigger, waxy leaves that frequently have golden, white, or yellow patterns. ‘Marble Queen,’ ‘Neon,’ and ‘Pearls and Jade’ are a few popular kinds. Find out about the variety of leaves and hues of pothos.
Of course, there are always a few plant species that appear to defy description. Consider a Satin or Silver pothos, for instance. Despite being named pothos, the lovely plants actually come from a separate species called Scindapsus. They have silvery foliage with heart-shaped patterns that initially give them a philodendron-like appearance.
Pothos and philodendrons share requirements in addition to similar appearances. Both species can tolerate low light levels but prefer indirect, strong light. Trim the plants back if they begin to get too lanky and water them when the soil surface seems dry to the touch. New leaves and more compact development will be encouraged by this.
For food, neither plant requires a lot. They’ll be content if you give them a small amount of houseplant fertilizer once or twice a year. Philodendron and pothos can also be trained to climb a support coated in bark, or you can plant them in hanging baskets and let their long vines dangle over the side to form a colorful curtain.
Benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene are just a few examples of the household pollutants that philodendrons and pothos silently remove from the air in your home. According to NASA studies, putting one plant per 100 square feet of living or working area is the most effective approach to purify the air.
Even though there may not be much of a difference between pothos and philodendron, it’s still fun to know the difference when you are shopping at the garden center. Or perhaps during a conversation lull at your upcoming dinner party!