Full Specimen Plate

Monstera tenuis

Monstera Tenuis

Quick Facts

growth HabitClimbing hemiepiphyte
mature SizeSmall to medium climber (1-2m with support)
lightMedium to bright indirect light
humidityModerate to high (55-75%)
temperature18-27°C
difficultyEasy to Moderate
growth SpeedModerate
View Care Guide
Wild££ · UncommonMediumCentral America and northern South America

Morphology

leaf ShapeNarrow, elongated, entire (non-fenestrated)
leaf Length10-20 cm
leaf Width5-10 cm
petiole ColorGreen
venationPinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein., understated
textureSemi-glossy
variegationNone
growth HabitClimbing with slender stems and aerial roots

About

Monstera tenuis is a lesser-known climbing species with slender, narrow, entire (non-fenestrated) leaves — considerably more delicate in proportion than the broad blades of Monstera deliciosa or the heavily fenestrated foliage of adansonii. It remains a niche species in cultivation, appealing to collectors more interested in Monstera's quieter, less dramatic species than the handful of headline variegated cultivars that dominate the genus's popularity.

Market Analysis

Auction History & Retail Data

Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.

No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.

Before You Buy

Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing

  • Ensure there is at least one healthy node present
  • Check for scale insects on petioles and leaf undersides
  • Confirm the plant is rooted before purchasing if buying an unrooted cutting

Propagation Guide

Growing More Plants

Methods
Stem cutting with node
Difficulty
Easy
Time to Establish

1-3 months

True From Cuttings
Yes

Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings

Roots readily from single-node stem cuttings in water or moist substrate.

Care Guide

Growing Conditions

Substrate

Chunky, well-draining mix: 40% potting compost, 30% perlite, 20% orchid bark, 10% worm castings.

Watering

Water when the top 3-5 cm of substrate is dry.

Humidity

55-75% preferred, though it tolerates average indoor humidity.

Fertilising

Balanced fertiliser at half strength every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer.

Repotting

Every 12-18 months. A moss pole or trellis encourages larger, more mature foliage.

Common Problems

Problem

Small, sparse leaves

Cause

Insufficient light or juvenile growth

Fix

Move to brighter indirect light and provide a climbing support

Problem

Yellow leaves

Cause

Overwatering

Fix

Check substrate moisture before watering and ensure free drainage

Field Notes · Vol. 11 July 2024

The Quiet End of the Genus

Not every Monstera needs a headline fenestration pattern or variegated sport to justify a place in a collection. Tenuis is a modest, narrow-leaved species that grows easily and simply looks like a smaller, more delicate cousin of its more famous relatives — a nice change of pace for anyone whose shelf is otherwise dominated by deliciosa variants.

Written at AroidAtlas research station— Aroid Aaron
Retail Price?The average price across tracked UK retailers (nurseries and specialty stores).
Not tracked
Not currently stocked by tracked UK retailers
Market Trend?Calculated by comparing average auction sales from the past 30 days against the preceding 60 days.
Not enough history to calculate a trend

How prices are calculated: The AA Price uses online sold listings converted to GBP at current exchange rates, excluding extreme outliers to ensure a fair-value guide. Falls back to UK retail average when auction data is unavailable.