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Monstera 'Monkey Mask'

An evergreen climber, grown in temperate areas as a greenhouse, conservatory or house plant, and is up to 1m high, with elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, rich green leaves, up to about 20cm long, each with several perforations; flowers are borne on a spadix up to 3.5cm long, and followed by white fruits 5-8mm across, but plants grown in containers rarely produce flowers or fruit

Synonyms

Monstera adansonii 'Monkey Mask'
Monstera obliqua 'Monkey Mask'

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Plant nurseries
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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1B

Botanical details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing, Trailing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Monstera are evergreen climbing shrubs with aerial roots, and usually ovate leaves which are often pinnately cut or lobed; arum-like flowerheads with white spathes arise from the leaf axils on mature plants
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

In cooler climates, grow in a warm greenhouse or as houseplant (minimum 10-15ºC) in a draught-free position, in moist but well-drained, peat-free, loam-based potting compost, in bright indirect light with moderate to high humidity; sponge the leaves to keep them free of dust and dirt, and water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month in the growing season, but water sparingly in winter; it can use its aerial roots to climb if given support, for example on a moss-covered pole; in warmer climates, grow outdoors in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. See houseplant cultivation and Monstera for further information

Propagation

Propagate by internodal softwood cuttings, by tip cuttings with one leaf attached, or by leaf cuttings, all with bottom heat in a sandy propagating mix in summer; or by air-layering in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

Pruning group 11 (climbers) in spring, if it is necessary to keep plant restricted within the space available

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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