Cut leaves Monstera pinnatipartita

Credit: Emily Franzen

Monstera pinnatipartita cut foliage

Credit: Skjold Sondergarrd

Whole leaf blades Monstera Pinnatipartia

Credit: Zoltan Stekkelpak

Whole leaves Monstera pinnatipartita

Credit: Harrier

Inflorescence Monstera pinnatipartita

Credit: Damon Salveo

Monstera pinnatipartita, a Monstera with pinnate leaves

Walking through a tropical forest in Costa Rica or Bolivia, have you come across Monstera with yellow leaves and others with pinnate leaves? It's probably the same variety: Monstera pinnatipartita. This plant of the Araceae family has the particularity of changing appearance throughout its life!

How to recognize Monstera pinnatipartita?

Monstera pinnatipartita is an epiphytic or hemiepiphytic plant with a climbing habit. In the wild, it grows by clinging to trees without parasitizing them. In pots, it needs a support on which to anchor its aerial roots.

It can reach a height of three meters and a spread of two in the open ground. It grows more modestly in pots and indoors. It grows to no more than two meters high and one meter wide.

The leaves change appearance as they grow. Young, leathery, lanceolate blades are green and yellow. As they grow, the yellow disappears. The leaf turns a brilliant green and develops fenestrations. But the metamorphosis doesn't stop there! On older blades, the fenestrations become deeper, reaching the midrib. The leaf then becomes pinnate, as in ferns.

Monstera pinnatipartita rarely flowers when grown indoors. But, unlike Monstera 'Burle Marx Flame', its flowering has already been observed. The inflorescence consists of a white spathe surrounding a yellow spadix.

The plant is toxic to animals and humans. Its sap contains calcium oxalate crystals, a substance that triggers digestive and nervous system disorders when ingested, and skin irritation on contact.

Our maintenance tips

Monstera pinnatipartita are not difficult to care for. Regular watering, a little moisture, a pot optimized for drainage and a little fertilizer are all that's needed.

Watering

Keep the soil slightly moist. Water only when the substrate is dry on the surface, for one or two centimeters.

Water with non-calcareous water at room temperature, without soaking the soil.

Thirty minutes after watering, empty any stagnant water from the cup. This will keep the roots dry and prevent them from rotting.

Spray

Mist foliage to increase humidity and repel pests. Always spray with rainwater. Tap water is too hard and leaves white marks on the leaves.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Monstera pinnatipartita to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Re-pot your Monstera pinnatipartita to give it more space. Choose a pierced terracotta or plastic pot that will allow it to continue growing.

At the bottom, place a draining potting soil and then transplant your plant. Pack the rootball to prevent it from becoming too airy.

Monstera pinnatipartita like to climb. You can support their development by providing them with a stake to hang on.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Use a liquid fertilizer for green plants mixed with water.

Cleaning

Photosynthesis is slowed down by dust accumulating on the leaves. To help your Monstera pinnatipartita make the most of its exposure, clean the foliage with a clean, damp cloth.

Dusting also helps prevent pest attacks.

Pinch

Pinch your Monstera pinnatipartita during its growing season.

Monstera pinnatipartita don't cut themselves. But you can pinch the ends of the stems to densify the plant and create new branches.

Your Monstera pinnatipartita is toxic. Wear gloves during the operation to avoid skin rashes.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Select a healthy stem. Take a portion of about ten centimetres with at least one leaf and one aerial root.

Always use a clean instrument to prevent the spread of disease, and a sharp one to facilitate healing.

Immerse your cutting in a clear glass filled with clear water at room temperature. Make sure the nodes are submerged: they are the ones that will give rise to the roots.

Choose a bright spot, away from direct sunlight and draughts.

Don't forget to change the water regularly to keep it clean.

Diseases / Threats

Information

Family	Araceae - Araceae
Type	Monstera - Monstera
Species	Monstera pinnatipartita - Monstera pinnatipartita
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Clay soil Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Climber Interior Herbaceous
Tags	Fritillary Toxic
Origins	Central America South America
Hardiness (USDA)	11b
Leaf color
Flower colors