How to Grow and Care for Monstera Burle Marx Flame
A guide to successfully growing the Monstera Burle Marx Flame, focusing on nurturing its health to achieve its distinct, mature foliage.
The Monstera Burle Marx Flame is a sought-after houseplant known for its unique foliage that develops as it matures. Its striking appearance makes it a popular addition to indoor gardens. This guide covers its characteristics, care requirements, and propagation to help you cultivate it successfully.
Understanding Monstera Burle Marx Flame’s Unique Appeal
The Monstera Burle Marx Flame is distinguished by its foliage, which gives the plant its name. Juvenile leaves start with a simple shape but develop deep splits, known as fenestrations, as the plant matures. These splits are narrow and set wide apart, creating a skeletal, flame-like appearance. The glossy, green leaves provide a dynamic visual contrast.
This plant’s journey into cultivation began in the collection of Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. Formally considered a cultivar of Monstera deliciosa, it was introduced to the public in 1981. This background contributes to its rarity and desirability among plant collectors.
As an epiphyte, its growth habit is to climb, and the leaves transform as the plant matures. Its deeply cut leaves, climbing nature, and connection to a celebrated landscape architect make it a unique plant.
Essential Care Guide for Your Monstera Burle Marx Flame
Light Requirements
This Monstera thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. An ideal placement is near an east or west-facing window where it can receive filtered light. Direct sun should be avoided as it can scorch the leaves and cause the vibrant green color to fade. While the plant can tolerate lower light, insufficient light will result in slower growth and less pronounced fenestration.
Soil Composition
A well-draining, airy potting medium rich in organic matter is best for this Monstera. You can create a suitable mix by combining equal parts of peat moss or coco coir, perlite or pumice, and orchid bark. This blend ensures that the roots have access to both moisture and oxygen, preventing the soil from becoming waterlogged. The soil should be nutrient-rich to support its growth.
Watering Practices
The Monstera Burle Marx Flame prefers its soil to be kept evenly moist but not soggy. Water thoroughly when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch. This allows the root system to absorb water without sitting in excess moisture. Letting the soil dry out slightly between waterings is preferable to overwatering, which is a common issue with many houseplants.
Temperature and Humidity Preferences
This plant prefers warm and humid conditions, with an ideal temperature range between 65-80°F (18-27°C). It does best with humidity levels above 60% but can adapt to household humidity. To increase humidity, you can mist the leaves, place the pot on a pebble tray with water, or use a humidifier. Protect the plant from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Fertilization
During the active growing season of spring and summer, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, every four to six weeks. During the fall and winter, when growth slows, reduce fertilization to every eight weeks or pause it altogether. This provides nutrients without the risk of fertilizer burn.
Repotting
This Monstera is a relatively slow-growing plant and does not require frequent repotting. Signs it needs a new pot include roots growing from the drainage holes, slowed growth, or the soil drying out much faster than usual. When you repot, choose a container one to two inches larger in diameter than the current one to prevent excess soil moisture.
Supporting Growth and Climbing Habits
In its natural environment, this Monstera grows as an epiphyte, clinging to trees to reach for light. Providing a form of support replicates this natural tendency and encourages the plant to develop larger, more mature leaves with deep fenestrations. Without support, the plant’s growth may become more horizontal as it searches for something to climb.
A moss pole is a great support as its texture retains moisture for aerial roots to grip. Gently insert the pole into the back of the pot, avoiding the root ball. As the plant grows, loosely tie the stem to the pole. Over time, aerial roots will attach, anchoring the plant and encouraging upward growth.
To train your Monstera, gently guide the main stem towards the pole, securing it in a few places. Avoid tying it too tightly, as this can restrict growth and damage the stem. As new growth emerges, continue to guide it upwards. This support also promotes better air circulation around the foliage.
Propagating Monstera Burle Marx Flame
Propagating this Monstera is done with stem cuttings from a healthy, mature plant. Each cutting must include at least one node—the small bump on the stem where leaves and aerial roots grow. New roots and leaves will form from this node, so its presence is necessary for success.
Using clean shears, snip a piece of the stem that includes one or two leaves and at least one node. You can root the cutting in water or a medium like sphagnum moss. If rooting in water, place the cutting in a jar, ensuring the node is submerged. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and prevent bacterial growth.
If rooting in a medium, place the cutting in moist sphagnum moss with the node making contact. Cover the container with a plastic bag to create a humid environment that encourages root development. Once new roots are a few inches long, the cutting can be transferred to a pot with a well-draining soil mix.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Yellowing leaves are often a sign of overwatering, so check that the soil is not consistently soggy. Browning tips on the leaves could indicate low humidity or inconsistent watering. Increasing humidity or ensuring a more regular watering schedule can help.
Common household pests such as spider mites and mealybugs can affect the plant. Regularly inspect the undersides of leaves for fine webbing or small white cottony masses. If pests are present, manage them by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth or using an insecticidal soap spray. Isolate the affected plant to prevent pests from spreading.
If your Monstera’s growth is slow or new leaves are not developing deep splits, it may be a result of insufficient light. Bright, indirect light encourages robust growth and the development of its “flame-like” fenestrations. Moving the plant to a brighter location can stimulate the desired leaf shape.