While many monstera plants are known for their holey leaves, Monstera standleyana stands out with its patterned foliage. Ovate, green leaves display various white patterns, including small dots and large patches. These leaves grow upon a stem that climbs upwards or trails downwards, leading to quite the statement plant. Fortunately, Monstera standleyana is easy to moderate to grow at home. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about Monstera standleyana plant care at home, including planting, soil considerations, light exposure, watering, fertilizing, pest control, and more.
How to Grow Monstera standleyana – The Essentials
| Botanical Name: | Monstera standleyana |
| Also Known As: | Five holes plant |
| Growing Difficulty: | Easy to moderate |
| Light Requirements: | Bright and indirect light |
| Temp & Humidity: | Prefers temperatures between 65-85ºF and humidity above 50% |
| Watering Needs: | Water when the top few inches of soil is dry to the touch; about once every one to two weeks |
| Soil Preferences: | Well draining and slightly acidic |
| Fertilizing: | Fertilize once a month with a balanced houseplant fertilizer from spring through midsummer |
| Growth Expectations: | Relatively slow-growing, can grow over five feet tall/long |
| Toxicity: | Toxic to humans and pets if ingested |
About Monstera standleyana
Monstera standleyana is a member of the Monstera family. This family also includes popular houseplants such as Monstera deliciosa, Monstera adansonii, Monstera peru, and Monstera obliqua. The species name is standleyana.
Monstera standleyana is native to areas in Central America, including Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama.
Botanical Characteristics
While many monstera species are known for their fenestrations—the holes in their leaves (such as the rare but popular Monstera pinnatipartita)—Monstera standleyana is a bit different. This plant has solid leaves that are oblong in shape. These leaves are about six inches long and two inches wide.
The leaves grow opposite along the stem, about two to three inches apart. As the plant grows, it likes to climb up or trail down.
The most popular variety of Monstera standleyana is albo variegata. This variety has white and green variegated leaves. Some plants are dark green with large patches of off-white while others are green with a few white specks.
Uses and Benefits
Monstera standleyana is typically used as an ornamental houseplant. It can also be grown outside in tropical environments.
Toxicity
Like all types of monstera, Monstera standleyana contains substances known as calcium oxalate crystals. These insoluble compounds can lead to pain and swelling if chewed on or ingested.
Therefore, it’s best to keep your Monstera standleyana plant out of the reaches of curious kids and pets.
How Long Will Monstera standleyana Live?
With the proper care, these plants can live over ten years indoors.
Purchasing a Monstera standleyana
While these plants used to be quite rare, they are becoming easier to find. A small plant with four to five leaves typically costs between $25-50, and a larger plant can cost anywhere from $40-$150.
How to Grow Monstera standleyana at Home
Are Monstera standleyana Considered Easy to Grow at Home?
These plants are moderately difficult to care for at home. They aren’t a plant you can set and forget for a month, but they don’t experience too many problems.
If you’re an experienced grower or can spend 15 or so minutes each week caring for your plant, Monstera standleyana could be a good plant for you.
Growth Expectations
These Monstera plants grow at a moderate rate. They will grow about a foot or two each a year, but they can grow more quickly in ideal conditions.
What to Do Before Planting
Fortunately, it’s easy to prepare for planting a Monstera standleyana plant. First, you’ll want to check that you have a good location for the plant in your home, office, or other location.
Since these plants like to climb or trail downwards, find a spot with some sort of vertical space. The plant can either climb up a moss pole or sprawl out of a hanging basket or pot.
Next, you’ll want to make sure you have a proper pot. If you’re repotting your monstera plant, choose a new container that is just a few inches larger than the original. And make sure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape!
What’s the Best Soil Mix?
Like many species of monstera, this plant likes a well-draining soil mix that can also hold a bit of moisture. Peat moss and/or coco coir help retain moisture while perlite, pine bark fines, and other chunky materials increase drainage and aeration.
The soil mix should have a slightly acidic pH, between 5.5 and 6.5.
If you’re making your own soil mix, you can combine two parts coco coir or peat moss with one part pine bark fines and one part perlite. If you’d like to start with a pre-made soil mix, potting mix from Rio Hamza Trading and Fox Farm’s Ocean Forest potting mix are good choices.
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How to Plant
Start by moistening your soil mix, so it is damp but not saturated. If you give the mix a good squeeze, no water should drip out. Next, fill your new pot with a few inches of the damp soil mix.
Remove the plant from its original container and inspect the roots for any signs of disease. If you notice any rotten portions, trim them off using a sharp and sanitized pair of shears.
If the roots look good, place the root ball in the new pot, then fill the remaining empty space with potting soil. Finally, give your plant a good drink of water.
Light Preferences
The Monstera standleyana prefers bright yet indirect light. Direct light can burn its leaves, so it’s best to avoid this.
Some places that can provide this type of light include the interior of a bright room, near a north-facing window, or a few feet away from a south-facing window that is covered with sheer curtains.
Temperature & Humidity Preferences
Monstera standleyana plants (like other types of Monstera) like warm to hot temperatures and moderate to high humidity. Keep the air temperature between 60ºF and 85ºF and the humidity above 50%.
If you live in a dry climate, you may need to boost the humidity around your plant. A humidifier is the best way to do this, but you can also spritz the air around your plant with a spray bottle every day.
How to Care for Monstera standleyana at Home
Watering
These plants like soil that is moist but not saturated. They also do not tolerate drought very well. If you’ve chosen a proper soil mix, you will likely need to water your plant every one to two weeks.
A good way to check if your plant needs to be watered is to stick your finger in the top few inches of soil. If it’s dry, water. If it’s moist, wait to water.
These plants aren’t super sensitive about their water, so in most cases, tap water will work fine. However, you can also use rainwater or filtered water.
Fertilizing
Monstera standleyana plants benefit from regular fertilization in the spring and summer. Choose a balanced houseplant fertilizer and apply it once every month in the early spring though midsummer.
It’s better to under-fertilize than overfertilize, so you can further dilute your fertilizer before applying.
Pruning
While you don’t need to prune Monstera standleyana, it can be helpful to tame unruly plants or deal with disease. Use a sharp and sanitized pair of pruning shears to remove any leaves you’d like.
The best time to prune is in the late winter or early spring, but feel free to remove diseased leaves at any time.
Trellising
If you’d like your plant to climb, you’ll need to provide support. Otherwise, it will trail down out of its pot.
A moss or coco coir pole works well as a trellis. Simply place one end of the pole in the soil at the base of your plant and then guide the stem along the pole. As the plant grows, it will use the pole for support.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate these plants is via stem cuttings.
To start, use a sharp and sanitized pair of shears to take a stem cutting. Make sure the cutting has at least one leaf node.
Place the cutting in a glass of water, so only the bottom of the stem is under the water. If any leaves are touching the water, trim them off. Set the cutting somewhere where it receives indirect light.
After a few weeks to a month, the cutting should form roots. At this point, you can plant the cutting in potting mix.
When and How to Repot
It’s a good idea to repot your Monstera standleyana plant once every two to three years. Repotting gives the plant more space to grow and also lets you refresh the potting soil. The best time to repot is late winter.
First, remove your plant from its old container. Shake off any excess soil and check for signs of disease and/or pests.
Obtain a new pot that is a few inches larger in diameter than the original container. Fill the new pot with a few inches of potting mix, and then place the plant. Fill the empty space with more potting mix then water well.
Common Monstera standleyana Problems & How to Treat Them
Yellowing Leaves
Yellow leaves can indicate various issues, including overwatering, underwatering, improper temperature, and root rot.
First, look at your watering schedule and the soil. If the soil is constantly dry, you likely need to water more often. You may also want to repot your plant using a soil mix that holds more water.
If the soil appears constantly saturated, you are likely watering too often or using an improper soil mix. Saturated soils can suffocate plant roots and also lead to a root disease known as root rot. Remember to only water when the top few inches of soil is dry to the touch.
Finally, check the plant’s environment. Cold air, drafts, and recent repotting can also stress the plant and cause yellow leaves.
Curling Leaves
If you notice your plant’s leaves are curling downwards or drooping, the plant likely needs more water. Give your plant a good drink, and ensure you’re using a soil mix that retains some water.
Sap-Sucking Pests
Small pests, including spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, and thrips, use their mouthparts to pierce leaves and remove plant sap. This can cause leaf stippling and eventually lead to yellowing leaves or brown spots.
Since these pests multiply rapidly, deal with them ASAP. If you spot a few pests, you can remove them with a soapy cloth. For larger infestations, spray neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Essential Tools
Monstera standleyana doesn’t require many specialized tools outside of a properly sized planter and watering can. It is helpful to give the plants a moss or coir pole to climb up.
Monstera standleyana Plant Care FAQs:
Is a Monstera standleyana a Good Indoor Plant?
Yes, the Monstera standleyana is a good indoor plant! They can thrive in home environments and their beautiful foliage makes a great addition.
How Big Does a Monstera standleyana Get?
These plants can grow upwards of five feet tall/long. However, you can prune them if you’d like to keep them small.
How Fast Do Monstera standleyana Grow?
These plants grow at a moderate rate. They typically grow around a foot or two each year.
Is Monstera standleyana Poisonous to Dogs and Other Pets?
If pets bite or ingest any part of a Monstera standleyana, they will likely experience irritation and pain. The plant’s calcium oxalate crystals can also cause a foaming mouth, vomiting, and stomach issues.
Can a Monstera standleyana Tolerate Low Light?
These plants can tolerate low light, but they will do better with bright, indirect light.
Wrapping Up
One of the rarer species of monsteras, Monstera standleyana is an excellent plant if you’re looking to grow your monstera collection or just add a new plant to your home. Remember to provide warm temperatures, indirect light, and regular watering.
Briana holds a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Penn State University. She manages a small market garden where she grows vegetables and herbs. She also enjoys growing flowers and houseplants at home.
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