Monstera Deliciosa vs Monstera Adansonii
Deliciosa grows large with split edges; adansonii stays a small-leaved vine with holes inside the leaf. Adansonii is the one for a hanging basket.
Monstera Adansonii needs medium indirect light (3/5) - near a bright window, out of direct sun. Monstera Deliciosa wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves. Monstera Deliciosa reaches 90-180+ cm (3-6+ ft) and belongs on the floor. Monstera Adansonii tops out around 30-90 cm (1-3 ft), so it suits a side table or plant stand.
What they share: both are toxic to cats and dogs, both are rated easy, both take moderate watering and both are happy in the same humidity.
Choose
Monstera Deliciosa if…
- ✓you have a bright window to give it (bright indirect light)
- ✓you want a floor-filling plant (90-180+ cm (3-6+ ft))
- ✓the look is what you are after: The Monstera Deliciosa is famous for its stunning split leaves and easy care. A statement plant that can grow quite large.
Choose
Monstera Adansonii if…
- ✓your spot is the dimmer of the two - it manages on medium indirect light
- ✓shelf space is what you have (30-90 cm (1-3 ft))
- ✓the look is what you are after: Smaller monstera with many holes in leaves. Can trail or climb.
Monstera Deliciosa vs Monstera Adansonii: side by side
| Attribute |
Monstera Deliciosa
|
Monstera Adansonii
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Foliage | Trailing |
| Difficulty | easy | easy |
| Light | ●●●●○ 4/5 Bright indirect light |
●●●○○ 3/5 Medium indirect light |
| Water | ●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
| Humidity | ●●●●○ 4/5 Above average |
●●●●○ 4/5 Above average |
| Pet safe | Toxic to cats and dogs | Toxic to cats and dogs |
| Mature size | Large 90-180+ cm (3-6+ ft) |
Medium 30-90 cm (1-3 ft) |
| Growth rate | Fast | Fast |
| Air purifying | Yes | Yes |
| Native to | Central America | Central America |
Key differences between Monstera Deliciosa and Monstera Adansonii
Monstera Adansonii copes with less light
Monstera Adansonii needs medium indirect light (3/5) - near a bright window, out of direct sun. Monstera Deliciosa wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
Monstera Deliciosa is the bigger plant
Monstera Deliciosa reaches 90-180+ cm (3-6+ ft) and belongs on the floor. Monstera Adansonii tops out around 30-90 cm (1-3 ft), so it suits a side table or plant stand.
Different plant types: foliage vs trailing
Monstera Deliciosa is a foliage plant and Monstera Adansonii is a trailing plant, so they fill different jobs in a room even when their care overlaps.
How to tell Monstera Deliciosa and Monstera Adansonii apart
Same genus, different habit. Deliciosa gets large and architectural, with leaves that split at the edges as the plant matures. Adansonii stays vining and small-leaved, with holes fully enclosed inside the leaf rather than cut in from the margin. Adansonii is the one for a hanging basket or a pole on a shelf.
Care at a glance
Monstera Deliciosa
Swiss Cheese Plant, Split-Leaf Philodendron
The Monstera Deliciosa is famous for its stunning split leaves and easy care. A statement plant that can grow quite large.
Care in one line: Bright indirect light, water when top inch dry, mist occasionally.
Full Monstera Deliciosa care guide →
Monstera Adansonii
Swiss Cheese Vine, Five Holes Plant
Smaller monstera with many holes in leaves. Can trail or climb.
Care in one line: Bright indirect light, keep moist, loves to climb.
Full Monstera Adansonii care guide →Monstera Deliciosa vs Monstera Adansonii: common questions
What is the difference between Monstera Deliciosa and Monstera Adansonii? +
Same genus, different habit. Deliciosa gets large and architectural, with leaves that split at the edges as the plant matures. Adansonii stays vining and small-leaved, with holes fully enclosed inside the leaf rather than cut in from the margin. Adansonii is the one for a hanging basket or a pole on a shelf. On care, monstera Adansonii needs medium indirect light (3/5) - near a bright window, out of direct sun. Monstera Deliciosa wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
Which is easier to care for, Monstera Deliciosa or Monstera Adansonii? +
Neither - both are rated easy. The practical difference is monstera adansonii copes with less light.
Is Monstera Deliciosa or Monstera Adansonii safe for cats and dogs? +
Neither. Monstera Deliciosa is toxic to cats and dogs and Monstera Adansonii is toxic to cats and dogs. Both need a spot pets cannot reach.
Which needs less light, Monstera Deliciosa or Monstera Adansonii? +
Monstera Adansonii. It scores 3/5 for light and near a bright window, out of direct sun. Monstera Deliciosa scores 4/5 and beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
Which needs more water, Monstera Deliciosa or Monstera Adansonii? +
Neither - both score 3/5. For each one, water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly weekly.
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