When you go to buy a monstera in the stores, the one you often see is the adansonii. However, many times next to this name they also place the obliqua. They are actually two different species, but what are the differences between Monstera adansonii and Monstera obliqua?
If you think the two are the same, we already tell you that they are not. Next, we are going to give you a series of guidelines that will allow you to differentiate yourself from each other and above all will help you not to be sold a Monstera obliqua when it comes to adansonii. Shall we start?
The main differences between Monstera adansonii and obliqua
The first thing you need to know is that of the two, Monstera obliqua is “the holy grail” for collectors. Everyone wants one and it’s not so easy to get when there’s so much confusion with the adansonii. In fact, many times you will find yourself buying an adansonii thinking it is oblique.
Unless you are clear about their differences. And that’s where we’re going.
the shape of the holes
We are going to start with something very simple and which can give you an idea if you are facing an adansonii or an obliqua. The holes that both have, called fenestrations, divide the sheet into different parts.
However, they are not the same in one species as in another. To start, the adansonii has these very small, narrow holes when young. When she is more adult, they appear larger, but they continue to maintain their narrowness. In fact, you will see that it combines longer and wider holes with smaller holes.
In the case of the obliqua, its windows are enormous, to the point that it appears that the blade consists only of the children of the holes it generates. This makes them very fragile leaves, which must also be maintained to carry out photosynthesis (so you have to be very careful).
leaf size
We continue with the leaves, but in this case we focus on their size. When they’re young, it won’t always give you an idea if it’s adansonii or obliqua, because the leaves are small. But if you see her already as an adult, then yes.
The Monstera obliqua has leaves of about 10 to 25 centimeters, no bigger. quite the opposite of the adansonii, which usually measures between 50 and 75 centimeters.
the edge of the leaves
Another difference between Monstera adansonii and obliqua is the edges of the leaves. It’s not something that is appreciated too much, but it feels a little to the touch. You will see, in the case of adansonii, the edges of the leaves are straight. But not like this in the obliqua, which usually have a somewhat wavy shape.
You can see this better if you take the sheet, without too much force, and lay it horizontally to see if the edge goes straight along it or if you notice there is some waviness along the line . Of course, be careful with the blade, don’t break it through the windows.
The touch of the leaves
have you ever touched a Monstera adansonii leaf? They tend to be roughbut with a little thickness because they are bigger.
However, in the case of the oblique, if you touch a sheet of it, you will have the impression of touching paper. They are so fine and delicate If you push too hard, they can break easily.
His growth
Aside, there are other differences between the Monstera adansonii and the obliqua. And it has to do with their growth.
Monstera adansonii is a very fast growing plant. In fact, it’s said that, if you give it the proper care, it can grow up to a meter in just a month (it’s assumed that won’t happen in pots, but it will grow a lot).
On the other hand, in the case of the Monstera obliqua, it can take 6 months or more to reach that meter we talked about previously.
The stolons, one of the distinct differences between the Monstera adansonii and the obliqua
This element can be the definitive element to know if you are facing a Monstera adansonii or an obliqua. However, it will only appear if you take care of the plant correctly. Otherwise, it won’t help you distinguish one from the other.
But what are stolons? This is the name given to the horizontal stems in which adventitious roots develop.
Only the Monstera obliqua develops them, the adansonii does not, so it can be definitive which species you have.
Flowers
The case of flowers is a bit complicated because, in general, monsteras do not flower indoors; you should have them outdoors and well maintained to achieve this.
But if that were the case, know that there is a small difference. More precisely, it is relative to the number of flowers that will come out. In the case of the obliqua it will have much fewer flowers than in the adansonii.
And the price ?
We doubted the advisability of including this information among the differences between Monstera adansonii and the obliqua, since we must take into account that many times, due to a lack of knowledge between species, we find that they sell us adansonii as obliquas or, on the contrary, obliquas as adansonii.
And of course, if they’re really well ranked, Monstera obliqua is very, very expensive. Keep in mind that its growth is quite slow and there are also fewer specimens in the wild. Therefore, they charge more for them.
In exchange, the adansonii are cheaper, much more.
But, as you are told, to take into account the price factor between the differences, it is necessary to make sure that it is indeed an adansonii or an obliqua, something that is not easy, especially if you buy online.
For now, let it be known, there are no more differences between the Monstera adansonii and the obliqua. But we understand that it is difficult to distinguish them. For this reason, we recommend that you try to see as many images of both as possible and thus get a better idea of what the distinctive characteristics of both are. Do you have a monstera at home? Do you know if it’s adansonii or obliqua? We read you in the comments.