Hi Sheri! If the plant is truly Monstera deliciosa it isn't a Philodendron at all. The genus Monstera contains 33 to 36 or so species depending on the scientific source quoted. There are many scientific names in the genus but almost all have been sunk into synonymy with a much smaller number of accepted species names. It sounds as if you've done your homework already since you know the name of the botanist that originally published the plant or at least his abbreviated name so I'd say you actually have that species. Monstera deliciosa has a number of natural variations and some produce leaves that remain very small for the entire life of the plant. I was recently given a cutting from a 20 year old plant the the largest leaves weren't 12 inches wide. Philodendron is a very large genus with something close to 1000 species divided into three major sections but that is a totally different discussion. The same common name is used for Philodendron bipinnatifidum (P selloum) since it has multi-lobed leaf margins (edges). Even if the plant were P. bipinnatifidum the growth method is basically the same. It sounds as if your growing conditions are good for Monstera deliciosa since it is very tolerant. I doubt you can over water it since it naturally grows along steam banks in southern Mexico and most of Central America. However, the soil mixture may not be good for this species. Monstera require a very fast draining soil so if you have it in Mississippi clay the roots may not be able to freely grow and gather water and nourishment. The other possible cause would be either lack of or over fertilization. Either is just as bad. Most commercial growers prefer something like Osmocote 30-30-30 for large aroids. If the soil is good I'd try the fertilizer first. If the soil has not been amended I would suggest you mix a large quantity of moisture control potting soil with about 20% peat moss and add a BUNCH of cypress mulch. If you can find a bag of cheap orchid bark with charcoal add that as well along with any compost you can find. I know it may be a big job but if you dig the plant up and replant it in this mix it should begin to thrive. My big question is the weather in your area. Although Monstera deliciosa will likely survive, it will be temporarily stunted by extreme cold. The species is not know to do great much north of Orlando so keep that in mind. You can shield it from the cold during any really cold nights but try to keep it from long exposure. You should know this species craves to climb. I have several large specimens in my own atrium and one is now 10 feet up the nearest tree. I've seen them in the tropics and in South Florida at least 50 feet into the canopy and have read of them climbing much higher. Other than that, without photos to examine I'm not sure what other advice to offer.

There is always the chance of reverting..............but the more "mixing/swirling" of white and green areas, the better chance of that continuing. If the sectors are more solid it depends on where the new growth originates........if it comes from a white area it will more likely be white........if it is from a green area it will more likely stay green. Tissue that is too white will be weak and may die if there is not enough supporting green. My first plant only had a thin strip of white running up the stem on one side and would show only as a little white variegation on every other leaf or so. I kept growing it and cutting the plant up until I eventually got the new growth emerging from the desired intercept of green and white. This new branch was better but still not ideal so the process was repeated until I got these well variegated plants.

Hello! I noticed that when I tried scrubbing them off that thing grew bigger and stronger! :( I did find the pest, THRIPS :( they are so tiny!! almost transparent.. My Monstera is recovering, she looks good and has new leaves growing healthy but the thrips keep appearing (especially on the new leaves, if I open them a little before they unfurled there they are feasting on the new ones). It is extremely hard to see them, I change the soil and have been fumigating with neem oil almost every 3 days. I also removed the affected leaves, the ones that had a lot of that thing. I am alternating neem oil, potassic soap insecticide, and plaguifin that is an organic one too. It's been months of this fight! but at least she looks healthy and alive with the weird stuff still there and some thrips.. I might try chemicals, I bought it but haven't tried it yet. Good luck with your monsteras!.. I am sending some pictures of the new leaf and how it looks today.

I water her once the top two inches of her soil is dry and I keep her in front of an east-facing window. I run the humidifier pretty often as well, keeping the room at a humidity of 60-70%. I also mist throughout the day. She only has one new, healthy growth and the rest are either stunted or growing very slowly and I can’t tell LOL are they not growing because of those dry edges?! :( One of my Calathea’s was just infected with spider mites. I’ve since then isolated her but maybe it wasn’t soon enough, which means... could those issues be from spider mites?! I’ve inspected her soil pretty closely and I’ve only found a few baby gnats (yikes!) which I’ve since then sprayed a bit of neem oil solution on her soil. Haven’t found any sign of webbing either. Please help!! I just want her to get better. Thank you!!