The Case of the 75% Off Monstera Adansonii

Sometimes the most interesting plants aren’t the perfect specimens displayed front and center.

They’re the ones sitting on the clearance rack waiting for someone willing to take a chance on them. That was the case when I spotted a Monstera adansonii marked 75% off at Lowe’s.

The plant wasn’t dying, but it certainly wasn’t attracting much attention.

It sat in a small hanging basket with trailing vines and a few worn leaves that suggested it had spent some time being overlooked.

I brought it home with every intention of transplanting it immediately. That didn’t happen.

The Forgotten Plant

Once home, I removed the plastic hanger and placed the original nursery pot in a saucer before tucking it into an open drawer of a plant stand among the rest of my houseplants.

What was supposed to be a temporary resting place became the Monstera Adansonii’s home for several months while I debated when to repot it

The plan was simple: repot it within a few days. As often happens with good intentions, a few days turned into a few weeks, and a few weeks eventually turned into months.

Days became weeks. Weeks became months. The Monstera adansonii remained exactly where I had placed it.

I continued watering it regularly, always giving it a thorough soak. Because the plant remained in its small nursery container, excess water frequently collected in the saucer beneath the pot.

Each time I walked by, I reminded myself that I needed to transplant it.

Yet the plant seemed perfectly content where it was.

An Unexpected Observation

For months, I had no idea what was happening beneath the soil surface.

As time passed, the Monstera continued growing. New leaves appeared. The vines stretched farther. The plant became fuller and more vigorous.

The Monstera continued to growing. New leaves appeared. The vines stretched farther. The plant became fuller and more vigorous.

The remained in its original nursery pot sitting inside a saucer, I gave little thought to what might be occurring below the root zone.

It wasn’t until the day I finally transplanted it that I made a surprising discovery.

As I lifted the pot from the saucer, I noticed roots extending through and beyond the drainage holes at the bottom of the container. For a moment, I simply stared at them.

How was that possible?

Conventional houseplant advice often warns about roots sitting in standing water for extended periods.

Root rot is one of the most common problems discussed in plant care circles, and saucers holding excess water are frequently cited as a major cause.

Yet, instead of declining, the plant appeared to be thriving. The roots were healthy, firm, light brown to tan, and actively growing.

I couldn’t find signs of rot. Not a single mushy root. Not one blackened section. That’s when I began to investigate. But not before I transplanted my healthy Monstera.

The Investigation Begins

I gathered my supplies for a transplant. A larger container. Fresh potting mix amended with perlite. A coco coir climbing pole.

Before removing the plant from its original nursery pot, I sniped off the roots.

As I was placing the plant into its new larger container, I thought to myself, “By any reasonable definition, this plant had become rootbound. And the roots serviced several months of resting in standing water.”

Following the Evidence

That thought was followed by a question.

If these roots had repeatedly encountered standing water in the saucer below the pot, why hadn’t they rotted?

As House Plant Detective, that’s the kind of observation that deserves investigation.

The answer appears to lie in understanding both the plant and the conditions.

Monstera adansonii is a tropical climbing species that naturally grows in humid rainforest environments.

While it does not enjoy permanently waterlogged soil, it is capable of tolerating periods of abundant moisture far better than many people assume.

Just as important, the roots in this case were not buried in stagnant, oxygen-free mud.

They occupied a well-draining nursery mix and only occasionally extended into collected runoff beneath the pot.

The evidence suggested that the plant was experiencing temporary exposure to standing water rather than constant saturation.

The distinction matters.

A New Direction

Rather than returning the Monstera adansonii to another hanging basket, I decided to encourage its natural growth habit.

In the wild, the Swiss Cheese Vine (Monstera adansonii) exhibits highly specialized growth habits and survival adaptations.

It begins life as a terrestrial plant on the shaded forest floor, creeping along the ground until it encounters a suitable tree.

Once it finds support, it produces aerial roots that anchor to the bark and allow the vine to climb upward toward the rainforest canopy.

Growing beneath the dense jungle canopy, Monstera adansonii thrives in bright, filtered light rather than direct sun.

Its distinctive leaf holes, known as fenestrations, are believed to help sunlight reach lower leaves while also allowing the plant to better withstand heavy rain and wind.

To mimic these natural conditions indoors, I grow my Monstera Adansonii in bright, indirect light and provide a moss pole to encourage vertical climbing, much like the tree trunks it would scale in its native habitat.

After the plant was transplanted into its new container, I watered it thoroughly, and positioned it back in its familiar location among my other plants.

The Economics of Patience

While shopping at Lowe’s recently, I noticed Monstera adansonii plants already potted with coco coir climbing poles and decorative containers selling for around $30.

Looking back at this investigation, I realized I spent considerably less. The clearance plant itself cost about $5.00 and the larger container, fresh potting mix, perlite, and coco coir climbing pole brought my total investment to roughly $18.

In other words, for about the price of the nursery pot alone, I ended up with a larger, healthier plant that I trained and established myself.

Of course, the real value wasn’t the money saved. It was the opportunity to observe how the plant grew, how its roots behaved, and how it adapted over time.

The discounted Monstera became both a houseplant and a learning experience.

Case Status: On Going

At the time of writing, the Monstera adansonii is adapting well to its new home. The roots have more room to expand. The climbing pole offers a new direction for growth.

And the investigation continues.

What began as a discounted clearance plant turned into an unexpected lesson about observation, assumptions, and the importance of looking beneath the soil before drawing conclusions.

Sometimes the most valuable discoveries aren’t found in books or care guides.

Sometimes they’re found in the roots of a forgotten plant sitting quietly in a saucer for months.

Investigation Status: Ongoing.

Swiss Cheese Vine Quick Reference

Scientific Name

Monstera adansonii

Common Names

Swiss Cheese Vine
Swiss Cheese Plant
Monkey Mask Monstera
Adanson’s Monstera

Key Characteristics

A tropical climbing vine known for its distinctive fenestrated leaves (natural holes), fast growth, aerial roots, and ability to climb trees and other vertical surfaces.

Optimal Growing Conditions

Light Requirements

Bright, indirect light is ideal. While Swiss cheese vines tolerate moderate light levels, they produce stronger growth and larger leaves when given bright filtered light. Avoid prolonged direct afternoon sun, which can scorch foliage.

Soil Requirements

Use a loose, well-draining aroid mix that retains some moisture while allowing excellent airflow around the roots. A blend containing potting soil, orchid bark, coco coir, and perlite works well.

Watering Requirements

Water thoroughly when the top 1–2 inches of soil become dry. Avoid keeping the soil constantly saturated. Swiss cheese vines appreciate consistent moisture but can develop root problems if left in waterlogged conditions.

Humidity Requirements

Moderate to high humidity is preferred. While the plant adapts well to average household humidity, growth is often more vigorous when humidity levels exceed 50%.

Common Problems

Yellow leaves caused by overwatering
Brown leaf edges from low humidity or inconsistent watering
Leggy growth due to insufficient light
Root rot from poorly draining soil
Spider mites and mealybugs on stressed plants
Lack of fenestrations on immature or low-light growth

Why Swiss Cheese Vines Are Popular

Swiss cheese vines combine the dramatic appearance of tropical foliage with relatively easy care requirements.

Their unique fenestrated leaves, rapid growth, and natural climbing habit make them a favorite among both beginning and experienced houseplant enthusiasts.

Given proper support, they can transform from a small nursery plant into a striking vertical specimen that becomes a focal point in any indoor plant collection.

In my experience, these plants are highly resilient and surprisingly adaptable. They tolerate the occasional missed watering, grow well in typical household conditions, and recover quickly from minor care mistakes.

My own Monstera Adansonii spent months in its original nursery pot longer than intended and continued to thrive, teaching me that these plants can sometimes be more forgiving than many growers expect.

Continue Your Investigation

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