Monstera Siltepecana “El Salvadore” is a plant that has recently become a bit of a star here in the Aussie plant scene. I’ve been casually looking for one, but I didn’t expect to find one so easily. Actually, it felt too easy.
I bid on and won this cutting on EBay and it arrived today.
This is what I received today… Wow! I know its just one leaf but how lovely is it! It already has a shoot forming. Its a cutting without roots. I have It in water growing roots.
Monstera Siltepecana “El Salvadore”
There isn’t much online about the El Salvador. Mostly I found a few Instagram posts and it seemed that most were in Australia. I will try to add more information as I find it though.
Visually, a juvinile El Salvadore is a more silver colour to the original Siltepecana. It still has the dark veining that gives both such a textural look.
As it grows, it will develop fenestrations in its larger leaves. I expect that it will also change to a glossy dark green as it’s cousin does. As an Epiphyte, it also has the ability to shingle in its juvenile state and live off of whatever it grows on. Now that I know that, I may just have a go at singling one.
Origin: Mexico and South America
Terrestrial or Epiphytic: Epiphytic
Size: Leaves will grow to 10 – 12cm/4-5″
Light: Bright indirect light.
Water: Allow top inch of soil to dry between watering.
Temperature: Prefers hot and humid for growing. It will tolerate cooler weather over winter, but will die with frost and snow conditions.
Soil: Grows well in a lighter, airy soil. An Aroid Mix is best. Heavier soils will hold water and make the plant prone to root rot.
Fertiliser: Weakly, Weekly! Small amounts on a weekly basis. I use a combo of slow release fertiliser and a plant food/seaweed liquid feed at quarter strength on a weekly basis. Back off in colder months when the plant is not growing.
Propagation: From Cutting or seed
Flower: Creamy Spathe, that technically is not part of the flower, as it has non of the sexual parts required to qualify. The Spadix grows tiny flowers that are either Male, Female or Sterile Male, there to produce a perfume that attracts pollinators.
Pests: Not really! But Root Rot has been an issue for me with my normal Stiltepecana.
Thanks for reading and happy growing. Xx
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