Monstera Peru or Green Galaxy (Monstera Karstenianum) is a unique plant in that it looks like a Monstera but acts more like a succulent.
While native to the jungles of Peru, this plant was meant to be a houseplant. It’s low maintenance, doesn’t require any special attention, and looks stunning in your home.
Similar to other Monstera varieties, Peru is a climbing plant. But unlike the Monstera Deliciosa or Monstera Borsigiana, Peru doesn’t produce the fenestrated (split leaves).
The Monstera Peru is a compact indoor plant with vibrant, glossy, green leaves that feel leathery to the touch. The leaves almost feel like braille. You’ll also find a gorgeous deep green veining on the leaves.
So, how do you take care of Monstera Peru?
Monstera Peru Care
Here are the basics of Monstera Peru care, which we will go over in much more detail in this article.
- Soil: Well-aerated that drains quickly
- Pot: Pot with adequate drainage holes is important
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Be very careful not to overwater
- Humidity: Moderate humidity (50-70%)
- Pruning: As needed to achieve desired look and size
Soil
The best soil for Monstera Peru is a light, barky, soil mixture.
We recommend a high-quality indoor potting soil with orchid bark, and peat moss added. For bonus points, you can also add some perlite and worm casings.
To make it easy on yourself, you can purchase a potting mix specially designed for Monstera. However, they are more expensive than a DIY soil mix.
| Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Premium Monstera Potting Soil - Quick Drain Potting Soil for Monstera Deliciosa/Swiss Cheese Plant |
$29.97 |
Buy on Amazon |
Fertilizer
To fertilize your Monstera Peru, you should use a slow-release fertilizer.
We recommend a fertilizer that is a balanced NPK with a good level of magnesium in it. Use one with organic nitrogen sources as the plant more easily uses those.
If you use a fertilizer that isn’t slow-release, be sure not to overdo it. This plant can easily be over-fertilized with a liquid fertilizer.
Fertilize less in the winter. When your plant is dormant, salt from the fertilizer builds up in your plant’s soil. The build-up of salt will burn your plant.
Pot
The Monstera Peru is easy-going when it comes to what pot or planter type you can use. They can be planted in a hanging basket and look fabulous if they’re dangling down from a tall shelf.
Planting your Peru in a floor pot or container (with good drainage, of course) will be a real treat when you add a moss pole or other structure for it to climb.
Read our detailed guide: Moss Pole for Plants | What They Are and Why You Need One
You Might Also Like: Moss Pole vs. Jute Pole
Does Monstera Peru Like To Be Root Bound?
No, the Monstera Peru (Monstera Karstenianum) does not like to be root bound. When rootbound, this plant won’t get the water and nutrients that it needs to thrive. Your young plant may need to be repotted after the first year. After that, the M. Peru are low-maintenance plants and do not require repotting frequently. You may only need to repot every three years or so.
When you do repot your plant, the new pot should only be slightly larger. If the roots have too much room, it could hinder your plant’s growth.
Sun/Light Requirements
How much light does a Monstera Peru need? Like most tropical plants, light is an integral part of Monstera Peru. They grow under the dense rainforest canopy in nature, so the bright light is filtered when it gets to them.
While this plant can handle a couple of hours of direct sunlight in the morning, too much bright direct light will damage it. Additionally, the more sunlight it gets, the more you’ll have to water it.
Pro tip: The more light your Monstera Peru gets, the more humidity it will need.
A north-facing window will give it more sunlight without scorching its leaves.
How to Water Monstera Peru
Monstera Peru has thick leaves that store water (much like the leaves of a succulent). It won’t need to be watered as often as other Monstera plants. This plant doesn’t like to sit in soggy soil.
As a general rule, you can expect to water your Monstera Peru twice a week while it is actively growing in the spring and summer.
Before you water, always check that the top 2 inches of soil are completely dry. If you’re not comfortable using your fingers, then use a moisture meter. Water your pant when your moisture meter reads 2-3.
The M. Peru isn’t prone to root rot like some other plants, but you are overwatering if its leaves turn yellow and drop. Pay attention to these signs and scale back your watering before it’s too late.
Pro Tip: Monstera Peru’s thick leaves store water, so you definitely don’t want to overwater.
Humidity
While your Monstera Peru will do just fine with average room humidity. Being a tropical plant, though, your plant will really thrive in humid places. If you see yellowing leaves, your plant probably isn’t getting enough humidity.
What’s the ideal humidity for a Monstera Peru? 50-70% humidity.
If you notice brown edges or brown tips on your leaves, you will want to increase the humidity near your plant artificially. You can try to increase humidity by placing a pebble tray with water near your plant or by grouping plants together.
The best and most consistent way to add humidity to your plants is with a plant humidifier.
We have two fantastic articles detailing humidifiers for plants:
Best Humidifier for Plants
How to Use a Humidifier for Plants
Pro Tip: An inexpensive hygrometer is a wise investment in testing the humidity level in your home and adjusting it accordingly for your plants.
Temperature
Monsteras thrive in warm temperatures and hate the cold. Their ideal temperature range is 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are cold in your home, they are cold too. Don’t keep your plant near a drafty door or window.
Pruning
Prune your Monstera Peru as needed to maintain the look you desire. If you feel like the stems and leaves are looking messy, go ahead and cut it back.
Prune off any leaves that are sick or dying. Prune off any vines that are leggy or damaged. Doing so will improve your plant’s appearance and encourage more growth. Damaged, diseased, or dead leaves use energy that your plant could otherwise use for new growth. Sick and dying leaves and vines also attract pests.
Use clean pruning shears and cut just above the area you’d like to remove. Always prune just above the leaf node to allow your plant to continue growing. If you’re pruning a healthy vine, it’ll make an excellent candidate for propagation.
Dusting
How Do I Dust My Monstera Peru? Leaves on this plant can be large and textured, which can lead to dust collecting on them.
If your M. Peru is ready to be watered anyway, go ahead and put it in your shower. A shower will allow you to rinse off the leaves at the same time you water your plant.
You can also use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the leaves. As a bonus, spritz some neem oil on your cloth while you wipe. Neem oil is excellent for preventing pests.
You’ll probably need to dust your pant a couple of times a week, especially in the winter, if you want to keep your plant dust-free and looking shiny.
Not only will dusting keep your plant looking nice, but dust particles can also hinder your plant’s growth in a bad way. Dust particles can accumulate on the textured leaves blocking the stomata and restricting photosynthesis. That’s very scientific, but all you need to know is that you should dust for your plant’s health.
Common Monstera Peru Issues
Brown and Crispy Leaves
Your Monstera Peru (Monstera Karstenianum) will need more humidity than your home probably has. If you notice the leaves develop browning edges or tips, you might have to increase the humidity near your plant with a plant humidifier.
Yellow Leaves
Why is my Monstera Peru turning yellow? Your plant is likely overwatered or may need more light. These issues are related. If your plant is not receiving enough light, it’s more likely that you will overwater it because it doesn’t need as much water. If your plant is getting a lot of light, it will need more water.
Leaves Look Faded
If leaves are looking faded, your Monstera Peru is probably getting too much direct sunlight. The M. Peru is fairly flexible with the amount of light it can handle. It likes indirect light and can’t tolerate much direct sun. Too much sun can give it a washed-out, sun-bleached appearance and even scorch the leaves. If you see this, move your plant away from the window a few feet, find a window that doesn’t receive direct sunlight, or add a sheer curtain to your window.
Dropping Leaves
If your Monstera Peru is dropping leaves, you are probably overwatering. Dropping leaves can also be caused by a lack of bright enough, indirect sunlight. Place your plant in a sunnier spot and do so quickly! Severe underwatering can also cause leaves to drop. If underwatering is the cause, you will notice other signs of stress before it starts dropping leaves.
Leaves Curling
Why are my Monstera Peru leaves curling? Curling leaves are a common sign of underwatering. The leaves of the M. Peru should be flat. If you see them starting to curl, you need to water more often.
Spider Mites
The most common pest of the Monstera Peru is spider mites. Spider mites feed on the sap in your plant. That sap is vital to your plant as it carries water and nutrients throughout the plant.
To get rid of spider mites:
- Use a mixture of alcohol and water to remove and kill visible spider mites.
- Dilute 1 cup of alcohol in 30 oz of water and pour this solution into the spray bottle.
- Spray both sides of the leaves well and wipe them off with a paper towel.
Brown Scale
Brown scales also feed on sap. Brown scales can kill your Monstera Peru if the infestation gets out of control. For most of their short life, brown scales don’t move. They are very small and look like flat brown spots scattered under the leaves of your plant.
Brown scales can be challenging to get rid of. You can use alcohol or neem oil on a swab and apply it to all areas of the brown scale. Be diligent. It could take several applications before you see results.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs have a waxy outer coating and are covered in a white cottony substance. Mealybugs hide under leaves and suck sap from them rather than the stem.
Mealybugs eat the sap, and when it passes through their digestive system, it comes out as a honeydew secretion. This sticky honeydew often causes a black sooty mold on your plant.
Getting rid of mealybugs is reasonably straightforward. To get rid of small infestations, use 70% isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab to rid your plant of small pest infestations.
For larger infestations, use insecticidal soap. It’s an all-natural pesticide that kills pests.
FAQ’s: Monstera Peru
A few years ago, you’d have to search far and wide for a Monstera Peru. Nowadays, we wouldn’t call this plant “rare.” While Monstera Peru isn’t one of the more common Monstera varieties, they are easy to find online.
The Monstera Peru plant can grow quite quickly with the proper light and water. It will send out long, trailing vines much like a pothos or small philodendron variety. The plant’s stems grow quickly, up to two feet per year, with leaves that reach up to four inches wide.
Because M. Peru is a smaller species of Monstera with smaller leaves won’t take over your home like a Monstera Deliciosa would if left unchecked.
Overall, this is an excellent plant for most homes and won’t grow so large that it overwhelms a room.
The Monstera Peru is a climbing (vining) plant that will take advantage of any nearby supports. In its natural environment, it will climb nearly 20 feet up a tree! As a houseplant, Monstera Peru enjoys a moss pole or trellis it can wrap around.
Monstera Peru (also known as Monstera Karstenianum) is unique in that it doesn’t produce fenestrated leaves like other Monsteras. Instead, this smaller variety has small, rounded, somewhat leathery leaves that are puckered and ridged.
Although it is rare, a Monstera Peru can occasionally be found with green-white variegation.
Monstera Peru plant is widely known as Monstera Karstenianum Peru or as just Karstenianum. These names are not scientific but are usually what the plant is called among cultivators. The plant is also sometimes called Monstera sp. Peru plant.
Confusingly, the plant is actually classified as a Philodendron.
Keep Monstera Peru away from cats, dogs, other pets, and children because it is highly toxic if ingested. Monstera plants contain calcium oxalates that can lead to swelling, burning, vomiting, and various gastrointestinal issues.
Plants Similar to Monstera Peru
Monstera Peru vs Pinnatipartita
Monstera Pinnatipartita plants have stiff and glossy leaves. They are more flat, where the leaves of the Monstera Peru are bumpier and almost feel like braille. The Pinnatipartita will develop fenestrations as it matures, whereas Peru will not. The Pinnatipartita leaves are slightly longer and wider.
Related Post: Monstera Pinnatipartita Care Guide
Monstera Peru vs Siltepecana
Monstera Peru and Monstera Siltepecana (Silver Monstera) are often mistaken for one another or mislabeled. They are both small plants with similarly sized leaves. As the name, Silver Monstera would imply, Siltepecana leaves have a more silvery sheen, and the M. Peru is often a darker green.
Siltepecana sometimes produces fenestrated leaves while M. Peru typically doesn’t. The leaves of Monstera Peru are much bumpier and more puckered than Silver Monstera. The Peru leaves are more rounded, while Siltepecana leaves have more of a point at the end.
Where to Buy Monstera Peru
Sometimes you will find this plant in the garden center of big box home improvement stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot and possibly in smaller local nurseries.
The Monstera Peru is sometimes labeled Marble Planet Pothos and Epipremnum Marble Planet so look for those labels.
Online retailer Costa Farms calls this plant Monstera Green Galaxy.
Monstera Peru is pretty easy to find online, especially from large sites like Etsy and Amazon.
Final Thoughts on Monstera Peru Care
If you’re looking for a plant that’s really pretty, easy to grow and will add a unique texture to your plant collection, this is it!
Some items we discussed that will help you care for this unique plant and keep it growing strong:
Good luck growing your Monstera Peru and making it part of your cozy, fresh, and green home!
