How to Repot or Transplant Monstera Mint

The Monstera Mint is a rare and very expensive plant that was recently sold at auction at a whopping price of  $1000 Nope, that is not a typo, nor did it overdo the zeros. That’s a high price of $15k. Of course, this was to an ordinary plant.

As you can see, the Monstera Mint is a subspecies of the Monstera deliciosa. As such, it has similar shaped leaves with the exception of the unique light green variegations.

That one is a subspecies of the Monstera adansonii. As such, you’ll see that its leaves resemble the shape of the Adansonii plant.The Monstera adansonii Mint is also called the Monstera adansonii Indonesia or the variegated Adansonii Indonesia. So, if you hear Monstera Indonesia or something like that, it is referring to the Variegated Adansonii Mint plant not this oneIn contrast the Monstera Mint resembles the shape of the Deliciosa plant.

Yes, I know, confusing. Unfortunately, that’s how the plant names are. In any case, the Monstera Mint is very rare and sought after as shown by its expensive price at auction because of its very unique light green variegations. Like the Monstera Aura, the have very distinct colors that you don’t find anywhere else.

Monstera Mint Plant Care

Light Requirements

Like other variegated monstera, the Monstera Mint thrives on bright, indirect light. In general, it needs more light than other species which have solid green leaf colors. That’s because its light green variegations do not absorb sunlight, nor do they participate in photosynthesis like the non-variegated parts of the leaves do. Therefore, to compensate, the plant needs more light to grow and develop its beautiful foliage.

That said, avoid direct sunlight as it can burn its leaves. The only exception if direct sun from an eastern exposure which is very gentle. Beyond that it can only take 2 hours or so of the sun’s rays and not on a consistent basis.

Note that if you do happen to leave the plant in this condition, don’t worry as it will survive. But the leaves can be affected (making them look dull and lose its variegations). If that happens, just prune the leaves. Then move the plant somewhere with less intense light.

Similarly, because of its variegations, the Monstera Mint has lower tolerance to low light. Again, it can live happily is less light. But the threshold before you see its variegations turn more solid green is lower. It will also produce fewer, smaller foliage and grow slower overall in this environment.

Temperature

The ideal temperature of the Monstera Mint variegated version is between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Although the plant can tolerate a wider range of between 55 to 95 degrees if needed without any problems. That said, it will grow faster in its ideal range and will let you focus more on other aspects of care. However, because it is native to tropical environments, it is not used to the cold. And this is where you want to take extra precautions.

Keep it away from locations where the climate can drop to under 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Below this level it will have a harder time coping. The lower the temperature gets and the longer it stays there, the more issues can happen.

Therefore, avoid sudden temperature fluctuations and watch out for drops in nighttime temperatures which can go as low as 15 degrees less than that during the day. Air conditioners, vents and cold drafts from open windows are also no-no’s. Outsides, the plant is hardy to USDA Zones 9 to 11. There you can keep it outside the entire year without any problems. But in colder locales, it is best to keep the Mint Monstera as a houseplant and take it out for vacations during summers.

Humidity

The ideal humidity for your Monstera Mint is 60% and higher. It is used to this kind of conditions and will grow best if you’re able to give it something similar.

In general, the higher the humidity, the happier it will be.

However, it is not a fan of dry air. Although it will do perfectly well with humidity of 40% or higher. So try to keep things at that levels. It will likewise tolerate a little lower than that.

But past a certain point, you’ll see the leaf tips get dry and crispy. Some browning can also happen.

This means that humidity has gotten too low.

Thus, when this happens consider some humidity boosting measures like:

• Misting the plant a few times a week
• Using a humidifier
• Grouping it with other plants
• Placing it on a pebble tray
• Giving it a shower once a week or so

Monstera Mint Potting Soil

In addition to proper watering, it is important to provide your Monstera Mint with good drainage.

This comes in two forms:

• Well-draining soil
• A pot with drainage holesThe best type of soil for your Variegated Monstera Mint is well-draining soil that is loose and airy. This will allow air to get through the roots to prevent root rot.The reason or this is that roots need a balance of water and oxygen to stay healthy.This is why overwatering is an issue. If a plant has too much water or the soil is waterlogged, the roots will be drowning in moisture. This will prevent them from breathing fresh air, much like you can’t breathe when you’re holding your breath underwater. So, after a while, they’ll be deprived of oxygen. This oxygen deprivation is what leads to root rot (and not the overwatering itself). That excess water is what causes the rotting result.That is why well-draining, well-aerated soil is important. In contrast avoid soils that retain a lot of water.The good news is, you have many options here. These are some that I’ve tested and used successfully.
  • Aroid mix – if your local nursery makes them, you can use that. If not you can combine organic potting mix, orchid bark and perlite. Then add in some charcoal for good measure.
  • 60% peat moss (or coco coir) + 20% perlite + 20% compost
  • 50% potting soil + 50% coco fiber
  • 50% potting soil + 50% orchid bark
  • 50% potting soi + 50% peat moss

  Try them and customize as needed based on how your plant responds. Remember, each home environment is different and how much sun, water and other factors you give your plant will make it grow differently from other similar Monstera Mints elsewhere.

  The other aspect of drainage is to make sure you sue a container with drainage holes at the bottom. This will allow any excess water from the soil to exit the pot (and not just pool at the bottom)

  Fertilizer

  The most important thing about nutrition for your Monstera Deliciosa Mint is that it gets fertilizer. It is not picky about what kind. As such, the key is to make sure it gets plant food.

  You can use a balanced houseplant fertilizer (20-20-20 N-P-K ratio) or an all-purpose fertilizer. These work really well for monstera.

  You want to avoid low quality or cheap products as these tend to leave more salt in the soil. Also, don’t give the plant more food that it needs or with more frequency.

  It is a light feeder despite is large size. Therefore, too much is worse that not giving it any nutrients.

  During the spring and summer, fertilize your Monstera Mint once monthly at half strength. With a liquid formulation, just add more water to dilute it. Then pour the fertilizer mix into the soil.

  Don’t feed it during fall and winter.

   

  Pruning

  With proper care, the Monstera Mint Variegated will grow to about 8 to 10 feet indoors with proper care. Of course, how big it eventually gets will depend on how you pot it, whether you let it climb, the amount of sun you give it and how much you prune.

  Not everyone wants a plant that big in their living room or homes.

  Similarly, you may prefer a shorter, fuller one compared to a taller climber.

  This is where pruning comes in.

  • If you want to let it grow taller and produce larger leaves, place a pole and let the plant climb up. You can then trim any outliers or stems that get too long towards the sides.
  • If you prefer a shorter plant that’s bushier, prune the top part and allow it to fill up and grow towards the sides a bit more.

  In most cases, a happy Variegated Monstera Mint will also produce aerial roots. You can let the roots grow if you want since the plant uses them to get more oxygen and water from the air. This helps in dry periods. And you get mist them if you live in low humidity areas.

  But if you don’t like how they look you can likewise cut them off. This does not harm the plant

  How to Propagate Monstera Mint

  Propagating your Monstera Mint is fairly easy. And there are a few ways that work really well.

  The most common is stem propagation or through stem cuttings. If you have a big plant and want to reduce its size, you can divide it as well to 2 or more smaller Mint Monsteras.

  Here’s how to propagate your Monstera Mint from stem cuttings.

  • Look for healthy stems with at least a few leaves on it.
  • Once you’ve found a suitable candidate, take a stem cutting. Make sure that the segment you’re getting has at least one node. Without it, your stem cutting won’t propagate.
  • If you can get one stem cutting with aerial roots, even better.
  • Cut the stem under the node (and air roots). Use a sterile cutting tool to avoid passing any infections to the plant.
  • You can do water propagation or soil propagation depending on your preference.

  If you choose to propagate in water:

  • Place the stem cutting in a glass container filled with water. Keep the node submerged and remove any leaves that end up in the liquid.
  • If the cutting has aerial roots put those into the water as well. These will root the fasted and you’ll see white parts of new roots come out as early as 3 to 5 days.
  • Keep the cutting in bright, indirect light and change it as it gets murky.
  • It will take 3 to 4 weeks for the roots to develop. And you should see quite a few by this time.
  • Wait until the roots are between 2-4 inches long then pot up the cutting in coil.

  If you choose to propagate your Monstera Mint in soil:

  • Place the stem cutting in a container with well-draining soil.
  • You can dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone before you do this.
  • Again, make sure the node is buried In the soil. Remove any low leaves that end up in the soil.
  • If your cutting has aerial roots, you have a few choices. You can cut them off, position then so they’re out of the soil or just lay then on the soil.
  • Aerial roots are less useful in soil propagation than they are in water propagation because they don’t usually root it soil (in some cases they will). But having a stem cutting with them increases the propagation success rates and will let the plant root faster and grow shoots and leaves sooner as well.
  • Place the cutting in the same bright and warm environment as the water propagated cutting.
  • It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for the cutting to root and establish itself in the soil.

   

  How to Repot or Transplant Monstera Mint

  To help your Monstera Mint variegated keep growing, you’ll need to repot once it gets root bound.  This will let it keep getting bigger.

  Obviously, as the plant gets larger moving it will take more work, especially if it has long stems, large leaves and lots of aerial roots Therefore, be careful and take your time when unpotting and repotting so as not to damage the plant in the process.

  The Monstera Mint has an extensive root system which makes it useful to give it enough space to grow. Thus, once you see roots coming out from the bottom of the drainage holes or the surface of the soil (sometimes they’ll creep out from the crevices between the soil and pot too), it is time to repot.

  The best time to do so is early spring

  Move it to a container that is one size larger (2-3 inches wider in diameter).

  How to Propagate Monstera Mint

  Propagating your Monstera Mint is fairly easy. And there are a few ways that work really well.

  The most common is stem propagation or through stem cuttings. If you have a big plant and want to reduce its size, you can divide it as well to 2 or more smaller Mint Monsteras.

  Here’s how to propagate your Monstera Mint from stem cuttings.

  • Look for healthy stems with at least a few leaves on it.
  • Once you’ve found a suitable candidate, take a stem cutting. Make sure that the segment you’re getting has at least one node. Without it, your stem cutting won’t propagate.
  • If you can get one stem cutting with aerial roots, even better.
  • Cut the stem under the node (and air roots). Use a sterile cutting tool to avoid passing any infections to the plant.
  • You can do water propagation or soil propagation depending on your preference.

  If you choose to propagate in water:

  • Place the stem cutting in a glass container filled with water. Keep the node submerged and remove any leaves that end up in the liquid.
  • If the cutting has aerial roots put those into the water as well. These will root the fasted and you’ll see white parts of new roots come out as early as 3 to 5 days.
  • Keep the cutting in bright, indirect light and change it as it gets murky.
  • It will take 3 to 4 weeks for the roots to develop. And you should see quite a few by this time.
  • Wait until the roots are between 2-4 inches long then pot up the cutting in coil.

  If you choose to propagate your Monstera Mint in soil:

  • Place the stem cutting in a container with well-draining soil.
  • You can dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone before you do this.
  • Again, make sure the node is buried In the soil. Remove any low leaves that end up in the soil.
  • If your cutting has aerial roots, you have a few choices. You can cut them off, position then so they’re out of the soil or just lay then on the soil.
  • Aerial roots are less useful in soil propagation than they are in water propagation because they don’t usually root it soil (in some cases they will). But having a stem cutting with them increases the propagation success rates and will let the plant root faster and grow shoots and leaves sooner as well.
  • Place the cutting in the same bright and warm environment as the water propagated cutting.
  • It will take about 4 to 6 weeks for the cutting to root and establish itself in the soil.

   

  How to Repot or Transplant Monstera Mint

  To help your Monstera Mint variegated keep growing, you’ll need to repot once it gets root bound.  This will let it keep getting bigger. Obviously, as the plant gets larger moving it will take more work, especially if it has long stems, large leaves and lots of aerial roots. Therefore, be careful and take your time when unpotting and repotting so as not to damage the plant in the process.

  The Monstera Mint has an extensive root system which makes it useful to give it enough space to grow. Thus, once you see roots coming out from the bottom of the drainage holes or the surface of the soil (sometimes they’ll creep out from the crevices between the soil and pot too), it is time to repot. The best time to do so is early spring Move it to a container that is one size larger (2-3 inches wider in diameter).

  Pests

  Mites, mealybugs and scale insects are the most bothersome pests that may attack your Mint Monstera. While they’re easy to deal with, they’re still a hassle.

  That said, it is very important to spot them as early as possible. Then treat immediately once you discover they are there.

  They are easy to get rid of when there are few. And you can pick them off if you want since they are not harmful to people.

  But as they grow in number (which they do rather quickly), they’ll steal more of your plant’s sap which si where the water and nutrients are. Therefore, they rob it of its sustenance.

  Use neem oil or insecticidal soap spray to get rid of them.

   

  Diseases

  With diseases, root rot is the biggest one to look out for. This is caused by overwatering the soil. And in doing so for long periods or regularly, the roots will eventually rot. This can severely hamper your plant’s ability to survive because as more roots get rotted, it is less able to draw water and nutrients from the soil (no matter how much you water or fertilize the soil). Once too many roots are damaged, the plant won’t be able to get enough drink or nutrients to support itself. This is why overwatering is the #1 cause of plant death. Therefore, try to stay on the dry side.