Monstera Peru Care & Propagation

Learn about growing the gorgeous Monstera Peru as a houseplant.

All about growing the gorgeous Monstera Peru!

The Monstera Karstenianum, more commonly known as the Monstera Peru or “green galaxy” monstera, is a gorgeous plant that looks like a Monstera but sometimes acts more like a succulent. It doesn’t grow very large, and has vibrant glossy, green, deeply veined leaves that feel leathery to the touch.

The more mature the plant gets, the deeper and darker the veins will get, appearing like an intricate carving. Unlike the Monstera Deliciosa and Monstera Adansonii, this variety doesn’t develop holes or fenestrations (splits) in the leaves.

Monstera Peru origins

Monstera Peru got its name from a rumor that it originated in Peru. Pretty straightforward. Many nurseries, however, list its place of origin as Venezuela. There’s a good chance it came from Venezuela, seeing as there are millions of hectares of the Amazon rainforest there. 

Monstera Peru is native to subtropical, jungle environments. A hemiepiphyte, this plant lives part of its life in nature independently and the other part growing atop other plants and trees. And it’s almost as if this plant was designed to be a houseplant; it is low-maintenance, doesn’t require much special attention, and looks stunning.

How much light does it need?

Light is an important part of Monstera Peru care. Like most tropical plants, it enjoys bright, indirect light. Remember that in nature they grow under the dense rainforest canopy, so the bright light is filtered by the time it gets to them. A north-facing window will give it enough sunlight without scorching the leaves. 

However, it can tolerate a couple hours of direct sunlight in the morning. I have mine in a south-facing window, but I will likely move it this summer when the days get longer and brighter. Too much bright direct light will damage it. But too little light can lead to leggy or unsightly growth.

If you don’t have a bright enough spot for your plant in your home, you can invest in a full-spectrum LED grow light. I have a number of grow lights around my home to supplement darker areas that I still want to grow plants—see the second photo below.

How much water does it need?

As a jungle plant, it will not do well with dry, crumbly soil, nor with soggy soil. The trick is finding the balance! You can expect to have to water it about twice a week while it is actively growing in the spring and summer.

It’s essential to allow the top few inches of the soil to dry out between waterings. Stick your finger into the soil about an inch or two deep to assess moisture levels before watering. If the soil feels dry at this depth, it’s time to water.

When watering, ensure that you thoroughly moisten the entire root ball. Water until excess water drains out from the bottom of the pot, indicating that the soil is adequately saturated. Allow any excess water to drain away completely to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

I love watering my plants in the sink for this reason. I can also use my handheld sink sprayer to rinse off all of the foliage. These leaves have deep veining that can collect a lot of dust, and it’s hard to wipe them off by hand.

What is the best soil?

The soil you use will also affect its watering requirements. If you choose well-draining soil, you can water your Monstera Peru more often without worrying that it’ll remain saturated for too long. Monstera Peru requires moist, rich soil with good drainage. 

A light, barky, soil mixture will work just fine. If you want to make your own, you can use compost, mulch, perlite, and shredded bark, coco coir, or fine moss. For most of my similar plants, I use a high-quality indoor potting soil with orchid bark and some coco coir added in. Occasionally some extra perlite. And worm castings for extra nutrients!

The one thing you have to watch out for is compacted soil. You have to keep its soil loose to allow oxygen to pass through to the roots, otherwise it’ll “choke” your Monstera Peru, stunting its growth. If you notice your soil beginning to easily cake and shrink, even with watering, it’s probably not the best soil for your plant. 

Temperature & humidity

All monsteras thrive in warm temperatures, so keeping your plant indoors won’t be an issue. Their ideal temperature range is 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which is pretty warm. Our house gets pretty cold in the winter, and it’s fine—it just doesn’t grow as quickly or need as much water.

Sudden drops or spikes in temperature will shock the plant and could damage it permanently. The Monstera Peru is not frost tolerant at all, and it could die. Keep it away from cold windows and drafts.

Monstera Peru loves humidity. It may require more humidity than the average home has, so you might have to artificially increase the humidity if you notice browning edges or tips. That is probably a sign that your air is too dry. Consider adding a humidifier.

Propagating a Monstera Peru

Propagating your Monstera Karstenianum with stem cuttings might be a little tricky the first time you do it, but don’t let that stop you. Make sure the plant you’re taking a cutting from is healthy and that you’re doing this during springtime.

Choose a stem that is about 8 inches long and has several leaf nodes. Cut just below a node and remove only the bottom leaves. Then wait for the cut to callus over. Leave the cutting in a warm place for a few days.

In the meantime, prepare a pot with fresh potting soil mixed with a little fertilizer to kickstart the process. Then, plant the stem cutting about 4 inches deep in the soil. Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. You can expect roots to develop in about 3 to 4 weeks.

Propagating a cutting in moss

You can also try to root a Monstera Peru cutting in moist sphagnum moss and perlite instead. That way you can monitor root development. To do this, mix sphagnum moss and perlite together. Squeeze out all of the excess water so the moss is just damp, not soaking wet.

Put the plants in the mixture and keep humidity high, either by covering the propagation with a plastic baggie or putting it in a plastic propagation box. Air the cutting and mixture out every day days and monitor to signs of rot. Once you have root growth, you can transfer to soil.

Is this plant toxic?

Monsteras in general are unfortunately toxic to pets, and that includes Monstera Peru. They contain calcium oxalates that can lead to swelling, burning, vomiting, and a variety of gastrointestinal issues. Keep your monsteras away from your pets or in a glass-enclosed cabinet if your kitties are leaf munchers. See my post on pet-safe houseplants for more.

In conclusion…

Taking care of the Monstera Peru is straightforward once you understand its needs. It thrives with bright, indirect light, occasional watering, and regular humidity. Proper care encourages the growth of its unique, glossy leaves.

Have you tried growing Monstera Peru? Let me know how it went in the comments if you have any other tips, and happy planting!

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