Monstera gambensis
An endemic Costa Rican tropical Araceae hemiepiphyte described in 2020 from a holotype collected near La Gamba (Golfito), starting as a seedling and developing into an appressed-climbing plant with aerial roots, a rare small climber that grows on the forest floor and as an aerial-rooted climber, with fenestrated leaves and a striking climbing habit.
Summary
This tropical aroid is native to Costa Rica's humid tropical forests, endemic to La Gamba, Golfito, at about 100 m elevation, and grows as a hemiepiphytic climber with robust aerial roots that climb trees and can be entirely arboreal; not fenestrated until adulthood, it may develop two perforations on the blade with larger leaf blades as it matures, and it is one of the smaller Monstera species. Leaves collect rainwater and nutrients from leaf-litter, reinforcing its adaptation to forest understory and climbing life.
In cultivation, water when the top inch of soil is dry, keeping soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; typical watering intervals are about 7–21 days depending on warmth and season. Provide bright indirect light and avoid direct sun; maintain humidity of 60–80% and temperatures of 18–26°C, avoiding temperatures below 15°C. Aerial roots aid climbing and anchoring, supporting a climbing habit, and the plant is favored among plant enthusiasts.
Soil Drainage
Well-draining soil; consistently moist but not waterlogged
Leaf Lifecycle
Evergreen broadleaf
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, Attracts other pollinators
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- M.Cedeño & M.A.Blanco
- Publication
- Webbia 75: 127 (2020)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Alismatales
- Family
- Araceae
- Genus
- Monstera