Monstera Borsigiana Plant Care

Give a truly unique look with a touch of mystery in your home with this magnificent plant.

Yes, we can already see your confused face! Monstera Borsigiana is worthy of confusion when it comes to the name. However, it is not about caring for this exotic plant but a bit about that later. So if you want to remove the confusion from your mind, make sure to read on.

What is Monstera Borsigiana?

monstera borsigiana

While many do not resemble this plant with sprouting flowers, it does, and a lot of them do. The flower and the fruit are a delicacy in Central America, Mexico, and Panama. Yet, many people do not grow it for the flowers or fruit but for the leaves.

The Monstera Borsigiana green resembles the Monstera Deliciosa and is a variegated type from the foliage. However, one theory is correct, and that is that it is a cultivar from the Deliciosa. Yet, the plant itself also has variegated types known as the Monstera Borsigiana Albo Variegata with a white variation.

At the same time, the Monstera Borsigiana Aurea is the yellow variation.

The plant grows as a vine from the start, while the M Deliciosa only develops vines when it is older. Comparing the two, the Deliciosa has a ruffled stem where the leaf and stem connect while the Borsigiana does not. The M Borsigiana has smaller leaves and depends on the growing conditions.

However, the fact remains no matter what the confusion is, caring and loving it remains the same.

monstera borsigiana

Monstera Borsigiana Care Basics

Monstera Borsigiana Plant Care card

While you can find different variations in the species, the Monstera Borsigiana scientific name is Monstera Deliciosa Borsigiana. No matter what you call it, the upkeep of the plant is similar and only looks different in size from other minor telltale signs.

Best Potting Mix

The soil requirement is the essential part of knowing when it comes to what this plant prefers. The Monstera Borsigiana thrives in alkaline to acidic soil with a pH ranging from 7-14. Therefore, the ground needs to be rich in nutrients and well-drained.

The best soil type needs to be three-part potting soil with a two-part perlite mix with coarse horticultural sand or pumice. If you have added more perlite, you can water your plant a bit more.

Watering Needs

Monstera Borsigiana

When it comes to watering your exotic houseplant, it is not complicated. You can give it water once a week, depending on the temperature where you live. If it is scorching, you may need to water more often.

We recommend keeping it not too dry or wet by checking the soil condition. If you find the top layer dry when sticking your finger in the soil and the bottom wet, postpone it for a few days. Once the soil is dry, about two inches deep, you can water your plant.

Do not overwater, keeping the ground moist and preferably done in the morning.

Ideal Lighting

monstera borsigiana lighting 

Monstera Borsigiana care is simple when it comes to lighting as it adapts well to most lighting conditions without exposure to direct sunlight. Placing your plant in direct sunlight causes the leaves to burn, and best put close to a window in an eastward orientation. In the morning, the sun is not too bright and bearable for the plant. 

Furthermore, it grows well in shaded areas but will not grow as big or fast. So choose bright but indirect sunlight, making the plant happy. The same applies to the variegated version. Both the yellow and white blotches need chlorophyll to survive in a shady environment.

Humidity & Temperature

temperature requirement The Monstera Borsigiana thrives at a moderate temperature of 65-80 °F, and if it drops below this, it stops growing. For this reason, pick a perfect spot in your home with a steady temperature during the year. The same applies to humidity, and best not to put it close to an AC or vent as it dries the air.

You can spray your plant daily if not able to place it anywhere else. Also, keep the leaves dust-free but apply more in the Monstera Borsigiana Variegata versions.

How often should we fertilize them?

The important thing is to choose the right fertilizer for your indoor plant that is organic and in a liquid form. The solution needs to be rich in potassium, magnesium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Always follow the instructions or dilute them further to prevent harming your plant.

You can do this once a month or every two weeks using the diluted method from April through September. If you do notice the leaves turning yellow or looking burnt, lay low with the fertilization.

Propagation

You can use three methods of plant propagation with the Monstera Borsigiana. A popular way is air layering, but the slowest technique is complicated. You do this by forming roots on the mother plant using a sharp, sterilized knife to cut the stem under the node. 

You then place moist sphagnum moss wrapped with plastic around the incision and node. Do not do this too tight as you need to check the growth and water it. It can take up to six weeks before you have new roots to replant in a pot.

The other form of propagation is cutting which is very successful. You cut in the stem below the node and remove the lower leaves leaving at least three younger ones on the cutting. As the plant roots easily, you can put them in soil or a glass container with filtered water.

After six weeks, your new plant is ready to place in the ground.

monstera propagation

The last method is using separation to get more than one plant which is best done with repotting.

Growth Zone

Photo Credit: USDA Agricultural Research Service

If you live in zones 10 or 11, you can grow your plant outside. 

This is a tropical plant and a climber in nature so they can grow more than 2 meters in their natural habitat ( tropical rainforest ). Indoor cultivation with indirect light, average temperature, and moderate watering can grow not more than 2 meters. 

Potting and Repotting

As with any plant you have in the home, the Monstera Borsigiana needs repotting done once every two years. The best pot to use is at least two inches wider than the container it is in, as with all tropical plants, it’s best to water your plant at least half an hour before the time.

Examine the roots before removing them from the pot and never press the soil in but water it to seep through to the roots. It may become a bit droopy but give it some time to accustom itself to the new environment. You can also place a ladder or trellis for it to climb.

Now is also the best time to use the separation propagation before placing it in a new container. Using a sterilized pair of shears, you can cut the roots into two or more plants but do not cut the stems.

Monstera Borsigiana Varieties and Similar Plant

These hemi-epiphytes plants including the Deliciosa have the same structural holes or fenestrations on their leaves that make them stand out among the rest of the plant kingdom. For the Monstera Borsigiana, you can find different varieties available.

Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

rhaphidophora tetrasperma

The mini Monstera, looks similar to the Borsigiana and Deliciosa. However, the Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma vs. Monstera Borsigiana has differences. While both have heart-shaped leaves, the Monstera is bigger, reaching up to two feet long, and the forerunner grows up to a foot long.

Furthermore, the Monstera Borsigiana fruit is edible compared to the mini Monstera.

Monstera Borsigiana Albo Variegata

Monstera Borsigiana Albo Variegated in the pot

This one looks similar to the Borsigiana. The main difference is the white-green leaves and they are rare yet expensive plants.

Monstera Borsigiana Aurea

Is another similar plant and is a yellow-variegated Monstera plant. Furthermore, it is known as the Marmorata or Yellow Variegated Monstera.  

Monstera Borsigiana Diseases & Pests

You want your monster plants to be healthy and happy, but there are times they do not always look their best. Here are some solutions to causes you may find along your way.

Yellow leaves may be getting too much sunlight or overwatering. Always check your plant and the soil to determine the cause. If your plant gets optimal light requirements and there is no overwatering, it may need fertilizing.

Brown spots or tips on the leaf edges mean the humidity in the room is not correct. You can wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or use a spray bottle to mist the leaves. It can also be from too much sun exposure as it causes sunburn. Alternatively, it can have bacteria and needs treatment with a bactericide.

No holes or slits in the leaves can be that the plant is still young or lacks nutrients and light.

The pest that can affect the plant indoors is mites or scales and is cured using Neem oil or soap to clean the leaves. You can prevent this from happening by spraying the leaves with water regularly.

Grasshoppers are the main culprit for outdoor plants. However, you can bring it inside and do some Monstera Borsigiana fenestration by removing the damaged leaves.

Root rot is a different thing entirely and is caused by overwatering. Use a fungicide when you notice this happening and remove the infected roots as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

The only difference is that the Borsigiana grows faster and has a smaller size.

The Borsigiana does not have a wrinkle where the stem meets the mature leaf compared to the Deliciosa.

There are 48 different Monstera species, with only a few available in your local nursery.

You can find the plant in your local nursery or at chain home improvement stores. Make sure you get the correct plant check for ruffles on the stem to know that it is a Deliciosa and not a Borsigiana. You can shop with Plantly for high-quality house plants and hassle-free delivery.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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