The Monstera acacoyaguensis, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is a rare and exotic monstera that has unbelievable beauty. With large, heart-shaped leaves that are green with silver veins, this monstera is sure to impress anyone who sees it.
It is a slow-growing plant, so it can be tricky to find. But if you’re lucky enough to get your hands on one, you will be amazed at its stunning beauty!
In this article, you will learn more about this plant and how you can take care of it in case you decide to have it in your house.
Read also: Ultimate Guide on How to Care for Monstera Albo Borsigiana
Quick Snippet of Monstera Acacoyaguensis
| Native Habitat | Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize |
| Size | Indoors – 4 to 6 Feet Tall; Natural Habitat – Up to 20 feet Tall |
| Leaves | Oval-shaped, glossy leaves with a leathery appearance. |
| Stems | Green and are more vine-like, different from traditional plant stems |
| Flowers | small with a yellow inflorescent colour on a spadix |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans and pets |
How to Identify Monstera Acacoyaguensis
Monstera acacoyaguensis is a species of monstera that is native to Mexico.
It is a climbing plant that can grow up to 30 feet tall.
The leaves of this plant are heart-shaped and have a deep green colour. The flowers of this plant are small and white, and they grow in clusters.
Where to Grow Monstera Acacoyaguensis
This beautiful plant is native to Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
However, it can grow outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 11b to 12.
In case your address does not fall within those hotter temperatures, you can still grow monstera acacoyaguensis indoors.
They can comfortably grow in any pot with drainage holes.
Since they are viney plants, you can also grow them in hanging baskets for a whimsical appearance.
When you grow them indoors, be sure to supply plenty of indirect light, moist and well-drained potting mix, and a temperature range of between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is important to note that this plant is not frost-tolerant, so it should be planted in an area where it will not be exposed to frost.
Monstera acacoyaguensis Care Tips
1. Light Requirements
Monstera acacoyaguensis requires indirect light in order to thrive.
In its natural habitat, it grows near the edge of forests where it receives plenty of indirect sunlight.
When growing it indoors, you can position it close to an east-facing or west-facing window for excellent results.
Please note that too much light may burn its leaves, while too little light may lead to stunted growth and yellowing of leaves.
A general rule of thumb is 1o hours of light for mature plants and 14 hours for juvenile plants every day.
2. Temperature Requirements
Being native to central and south America, this plant does well in warm temperatures.
Consider growing it in temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
They are not frost-hardy, and cold weather can summarily kill them.
3. Humidity Requirements
Monstera acacoyaguensis has a high humidity requirement of between 50% – 80%.
When the humidity around this plant drops below 50%, its leaves will start to turn yellow and dry up. And if the humidity drops below 30%, the leaves will die.
When growing them indoors, you can attain these high levels of humidity by use of a pebble tray or humidifier.
Pebble trays are simply shallow trays filled with water and pebbles. The plant is placed on top of the pebble tray, and as the water evaporates, it increases the humidity level around the plant.
4. Soil Requirements
Monstera acacoyaguensis thrives when planted in well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients.
You can come up with your own homemade soil mixture by mixing equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and sand.
The soil pH should be neutral (pH 6.5) and only use planters or pots that have drainage holes at the bottom. This allows excess water to easily drain out of the soil and helps prevent root rot.
If you choose to use traditional potting soil or peat moss, add compost manure to boost its nutrients.
In case you don’t have a compost pile or have no space for it in your yard, you can buy a kitchen composter that can conveniently sit on your kitchen countertop.
This appliance will let you recycle your food waste, reducing your overall carbon footprint and benefitting your plants.
5. Fertilizer Requirements
Monstera acacoyaguensis requires fertilizer once a month, during the summer and spring seasons, since they experience active growth during these two seasons.
Consider using water-soluble fertilizer that is designed for houseplants.
An alternative would be compost manure, which you can easily make using a kitchen countertop composter.
During the winter and fall months, when the plant is dormant, no fertilizer is necessary.
6. Watering Monstera Acacoyaguensis
Monstera acacoyaguensis needs regular watering as it prefers moist, but not soggy soil.
Typically, a once-a-week watering schedule is good for this plant.
Too much watering can end up causing root rot, and other diseases that may end up killing your plant.
You can insert your finger into the top inch of the soil to test if your plant needs watering.
If the top soil is dry, proceed to water until water runs out of the bottom of the pot’s drainage holes.
But if the soil is damp, your plant does not need any watering.
7. Repotting Monstera Acacoyaguensis
Monstera Acacoyaguensis is neither a slow grower nor a fast grower. It falls in between.
So, you don’t need to repot it very often. You can repot it once every two to three years.
Here are the tools you’ll need for repotting:
- Distilled water
- Pruning shears
- Potting soil
- A pot – 2 to 3 inches larger than the current pot
Steps to follow:
1. Wait until the plant has finished blooming and has set some new leaves.
2. Then, gently remove it from its pot and shake off the old potting mix.
3. Cut away any dead roots and replant them in a pot that is only slightly bigger than the old one.
4. Use a good-quality potting mix that is rich in organic matter.
5. Water the repotted plant until water runs out of the drainage holes.
6. Care for the plant as you normally would.
8. Pruning Monstera Acacoyaguensis
This plant does not require pruning. Nonetheless, you can prune it to get rid of dead or damaged leaves.
Pruning should only be done in the summer or spring months. This will promote bloom and new growth while enhancing air circulation.
To prune monstera acacoyaguensis, start by locating the branch you want to cut.
Make sure to cut just above a leaf node, as this will help the plant heal quickly.
Cut away any dead or damaged leaves, then use sharp scissors to cut the branch off at the desired length.
Finally, seal the cut with a sealant or tree wound dressing to help prevent infection.
9. Propagating Monstera Acacoyaguensis
The Swiss Cheese Plant is easy to propagate by cutting.
While you can propagate this plant at any time of the year, the most suitable time to do it is in late summer or early fall.
As you propagate the plant, only take new growth and cut at the leaf node.
Moreover, choose only healthy stem cutting when propagating.
The tools you’ll need include the following:
- Clear jars
- Plastic bag
- Clean pruning shears
- Distilled water
- Well-drained potting soil
- Pots with drainage holes
Steps to follow:
1. Use the pruning shear to cut new growth off the plant at the leaf node.
2. Get rid of all the leaves from the cutting, except for the two leaves at the bottom.
3. Put the cutting side down into the glass jar full of distilled water.
4. Position the jars in indirect bright light, ensuring the temperature around the cutting remains between 70 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Using a plastic bag, cover the cuttings and their jars to help retain humidity around the young plants.
6. Replace the water in the jars at least every other day. Ensure you cover the jars after replacing the water. Do this until the cuttings root.
7. Plant the cuttings in a pot filled with well-drained soil once their roots get to a few inches long.
8. Care for your new plants as you would for mature plants.
10. Pests That Attack Monstera Acacoyaguensis
There are a few pests that can cause problems for monstera acacoyaguensis plants. The most common are mealybugs, scales, and spider mites.
Mealybugs are small, soft-bodied insects that secrete a waxy substance. They can cause leaves to yellow and drop off the plant. They can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Scales are small, hard-bodied insects that attach themselves to leaves and stems. They can cause leaves to yellow and drop off the plant. They can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
Spider mites are tiny, spider-like creatures that suck sap from leaves. They can cause leaves to yellow and drop off the plant. They can be treated with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil.
11. Diseases That Attack Monstera Acacoyaguensis
Diseases that can affect monstera acacoyaguensis include:
- Fusarium oxysporum
- Verticillium dahliae
- Phytophthora palmivora
Fusarium oxysporum is a fungal pathogen that can cause wilt and death in monstera acacoyaguensis. Symptoms of this disease include wilting of the leaves and yellowing and browning of the tissue. The fungus can also infect the roots, causing them to rot.
Verticillium dahliae is a soil-borne fungus that can cause a variety of diseases in plants, including wilt, root rot, and leaf blight. This fungus is particularly harmful to monstera acacoyaguensis and can cause significant damage to the plant.
Phytophthora palmivora is another fungus that can cause wilting and death in monstera acacoyaguensis. This fungus attacks the roots of the plant, causing them to rot and die. Symptoms of this disease include wilting of the leaves and yellowing and browning of the tissue. The fungus can also infect the stems, causing them to rot.
If you suspect that your plant is infected with any of these diseases, it is essential to seek professional help immediately in order to save your plant.
Why Are the Leaves of Monstera Acacoyaguensis Turning Yellow?
Your Monstera leaves turning yellow means the plant was exposed to too much direct sunlight.
When exposed to too much light, the chlorophyll in your plant starts to break down.
As the yellowing continues, the leaves will finally end up dropping.
Also, the leaves of your plant may turn yellow when they are not getting enough nutrients.
Why are the Leaves of Monstera acacoyaguensis Turning Brown?
When your plant gets exposed to too much heat, its leaves will begin turning brown.
This can be a result of the plant sitting too close to an object emitting too much heat, such as a heating vent or television set.
Also, brown leaves could be a result of too much watering.
How to Prevent Root Rot in Monstera acacoyaguensis
You can prevent root rot in your plant by growing it in light and well-drained soil.
Additionally, you can avoid over-watering it and only water it when necessary.
Root rot is mainly caused by too much water and poorly drained soil.
The best remedy for this is to use pots with drainage holes and well-drained soil while only watering when necessary.
Why is my Monstera acacoyaguensis Wilting?
Wilting in your monstera acacoyaguensis can be caused by either compacted or heavy soil or too much water.
