We have discussed a number of Monsteras up till now. Here is another one with its beautiful variegated appearance. Monstera standleyana is a rare exotic Aroid climber. The plant does pretty well in both indoor and outdoor environments. The dark green elongated leaves have stripped and speckled white variegation. This is a good choice for pots and hanging baskets.
It was G.S Bunting who described the plant in the year 1967. Native areas of the plant include Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Panama. Let us know more about the easy-to-care, fast-growing, Standleyana plant along with its care and propagation.
Monstera Standleyana Classification
Family: Araceae.
Genus: Monstera.
Species: M. standleyana.
Genus Monstera
Monstera comprises around 50 flowering plant species. The Latin word ‘Monstera’ is derived from ‘Monstrous’ or ‘abnormal’. This is in reference to the unique appearance of leaves with natural holes or slits in them. The majority of these American natives are evergreen indoor plants, vines, or herbaceous shrubs.
Monstera Standleyana Common Names
- Five holes plant.
- Philodendron standleyana.
- Philodendron Cobra.
Due to the close resemblance with Philodendrons, this plant is sometimes mistakenly called a philodendron or Philodendron Cobra. Howbeit, both of these names have no scientific authentication.
Features of the Monstera Standleyana Plant
Height and Structure
- The height and spread of the plant are variable and depend upon the dwelling place. In a terrestrial indoor pot, the plant remains around 3 to 5 feet. While the width is around 3 feet.
- If allowed to climb freely, the plant even reaches a height of more than 20 feet.
- The plant is an upright climber.
Leaves
- Surprisingly, the leaves remain upright even if the plant is in climbing form. Moreover, they grow in an alternate pattern along the stem.
- Each leaf is around 5 to 9 inches in length and about 4 inches wide.
Root structure
The underground roots need to be in a spacious place. Moreover, these plants are not root-bound.
Toxicity
Just like other Monsteras, this plant is also toxic in nature. Thus, keep your kids and pets away from them.
Monstera Standleyana Variegated Plants
Generally, the Standleyana plant has some white specks on the foliage. However, there are some variegated forms as well, which have different variegation as compared to the original plant. Importantly, the structure and all other features of all the Variegated Monstera standleyana forms are the same as the parent plant.
- Monstera standleyana Variegated White has prominent white variegated specks on the foliage. The leaves and even the stems show prominent white variegation.
- Monstera standleyan Variegated Yellow has unique and beautiful variegation in yellow or cream color. The variegation includes scattered yellow specs, stripes, and even prominent variegated leaf portions.
- Monstera standleyana albo Variegata has prominent specks, splashes, and portions of white against the deep green base. This plant is pretty similar to the Monstera standleyana Variegata White, but the variegation in the Albo plant includes complete portions/bands of white discolouration.
Monstera Standleyana Care
We usually recommend these easy-to-care Standleyana plants for inexperienced Monstera lovers.
Water Requirement
The basic strategy for watering is to water generously and letting the soil get slightly dry between the intervals. An estimated schedule is thrice a week in summer and once a week in winter.
Importantly, these plants don’t like to be overwatered. Any standing water at the base will result in root rot and other such issues like yellow and limp foliage.
Sunlight Requirement
Keep them in bright indirect sunlight. Additionally, keep them away from direct sunlight as the fierce sun can scorch the Monstera leaves.
We get common questions about the curling of the M. standleyana Leaves. This is a symptom of overexposure to light and the leaves are probably calling out for help. Just change the pot’s place and transfer it to some less bright place. In a day or two, you will see your plant baby getting healthy again.
Temperature Requirement
The optimum temperature range for the plant is between 16 to 25 °C. Moreover, these plants don’t like cold and are not frost hardy.
Soil Requirement
Monsteras usually like light and free-draining soil. The ideal PH is between 5 to 7.5. Moreover, we have found a good result with barky soil.
Humidity Requirement
Just like other Monsteras, these plants love humidity. On dry days, you can increase the moisture level by frequent mild misting. Moreover, you can use measures like adding a pebble-water tray and a humidifier around the plant.
The inadequate humidity level can be seen by the unhealthy and unfresh appearance of the leaves.
Fertilizer Requirement
Everybody loves the extra snacks just like the Monstera standleyna plants. A houseplant fertilizer mix in diluted form is suitable for monthly use in spring and summer.
Howbeit, stop fertilizing the plant as soon as the fall arrives. The plants don’t need any added nutrition on colder days.
Pot Requirement
These climbers need well-drained pots with drainage holes at the base. In addition, an added support will do wonders for the vine.
Air Pressure
The roots of Monsteras are week rooted and can’t bear strong drift and air pressure. Thus, avoid keeping them in range of intense air exposure.
Repotting Requirement
The plants like free moving roots in spacious pots. Check the base of the pots every year. If you see the roots are coming out of the drainage holes or getting closely packed inside, consider repotting to a larger pot.
Cleaning Requirement
Experts recommend keeping the leaves clean to support healthy growth. Frequent misting and cleaning will be ideal for healthy foliage.
Growth Zone
Outdoors, the plant is suitable in USDA zone 9a to 11b. Howbeit, in patios, the plant can do pretty well throughout zone 4a to 11.
Monstera Standleyana Propagation
Just like other members of this genus, you can propagate the plant by stem tip cuttings of a mature plant.
Season
The pleasant spring days are ideal for propagation.
Method
- Take a mature healthy plant and cut about 8 inches cutting from the stem tip.
- The cutting should have at least two nodes and aerial roots.
- Remove the leaves from the lower side, keeping at two to three at the top
- Now, plant the cutting about 3 inches deep in moist soil or potting mix. Make sure you keep the node and the root at least 3 inches under the soil.
- Simply place the pot in a spot with indirect light and water regularly.
- Root development takes about 30 days. And you will see the shoot development in a month or more.
Can I propagate the Monstera standleyana in Water?
Yes, you can! You can propagate the cutting in water as well. After the development of roots and shoot, you can convert them into water. Some people love keeping them in water and the results are pretty lovely.
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Summary
Monstera standleyana is an exotic flowering Aroid vine. The dark-green oval elongated leaves look beautiful with white speckled variegation. It is suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. The Monstera standleyana Care includes bright indirect light, high humidity, and frequent generous watering with slight drying intervals. This plant has a number of variegated species. Additionally, it is toxic in nature.
