Monstera dubia Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation, Common Problems & Remedies
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Monstera dubia is one of the easy-care, smaller Monstera varieties and exhibits three different forms in its life stages. The plant leaves grow flat on the support structure which gives the plant the name, 'Shingle Plant'.
In the juvenile stage, the broad oval-shaped leaves have a green base and silvery-grey variegation between dark-green veins. As it ages, these leaves develop small holes until maturity. Eventually Monstera dubia produces large, green, fenestrated mature leaves similar to those of Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant).
When Monstera dubia starts climbling, the plant grows too flat on the tree bark. Eventually, the mature leaves begin to hang from the hard stems of the plant. Maintaining the plant short by regular pruning will keep it in the shingled growth stage.
Monstera dubia is often mistaken for Rhaphidophora cryptantha but in later stages of its growth, its leaves are dark-green with silver-greyish veins. Monstera dubia and its relatives Monstera standleyana (Five Holes Plant) and Monstera siltepecana (Silver Monstera) are some of the best low-light plants perfect for the dark spaces.
Botanical name: Monstera dubia
Family: Araceae
Origin
Monstera dubia is an evergreen vine native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. In its natural habitat, after germination, Monstera dubia grows by creeping on the ground until it finds a supporting tree.
Is Monstera dubia toxic?
Yes. Monstera dubia is mildly toxic to humans and toxic to pets. If ingested it can cause pain and swelling in the mouth, tongue and lips, vomiting, excessive drooling and difficulty in swallowing.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add Monstera dubia to your collection, you may obtain the plant online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Monstera dubia Indoors
To care for Monstera dubia indoors, give it bright to medium indirect light, warmth of 18-290C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Monstera dubia requires regular pruning to keep it neat as well as keep it in the shingled state. Repotting is only needed when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water Monstera dubia?
Water Monstera dubia liberally in spring and summer until water drips from the bottom. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and drooping leaves.
Lessen watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is slowed at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period to prevent wilting, drooping and yellowing.
Use room temperature to prevent cold shock which can lead to stunted growth and loss of the plant. Only use chlorine-free water like rain water to prevent staining and browning of leaf tips and edges.
Ascertain that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and death of the plant. Always empty the saucer when done watering to prevent sogginess.
Light Requirements
Monstera dubia prefers a medium indirect light (dappled light); place it next to a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to filter the sunrays to prevent sunscorching of the leaves.
Too litle light will result in stunted growth, yellowing and lack of perforations. To increase the light, instal a full spectrum grow light.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent leggy growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Monstera dubia prospers in a warmth of 18-290C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to avoid a sudden changes in temperature which can cause stunted growth and leaf drop.
Monstera dubia thrives in a humidity of 50-55%. If the air is too dry, the plant will develop brown leaf tips and edges. To raise humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain a good air circulation to reduce fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Monstera dubia with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to promote a lush growth. Withhold feeding in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
Once in a while, flush out excess salts bu running a stream of water through the soil until the water drains out through the drainage hole.
Potting Soil
Monstera dubia potting mix should be rich in organic matter and well-drained to prevent waterlogging. A potting mix designed for Monsteras and those designed for aroids are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Monstera dubia every 1-2 years in the growing season only when pot-bound; when the roots grow through the drainage hole. Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil which can result in root-rot. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Monstera dubia involves removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy. To keep plant in its shingled growth, cutback the vines regularly.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestation.
How to Propagate Monstera dubia
Monstera dubia is best propagated at the beginning of the growing period (spring to early summer), by use of stem cuttings or by air layering. The propagation can be done in 4 ways.
1. Propagating Monstera dubia from stem cuttings in soil
- Take a stem cutting about 4-6 inches long from a healthy plant by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. Just one leaf node with the leaf is enough to propagate a new plant.
- Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
- Insert the cutting in moist, free-draining soil. Ensure the rooting container has proper drainage to avoid getting soggy soil.
- Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.
- Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting afterwhich you can begin routine care.
2. Propagating Monstera dubia from stem cuttings in water
- Take a stem cutting about 4-6 inches long from a healthy plant by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. Just one leaf node with the leaf is enough to propagate a new plant.
- Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to enhance rooting.
- Place the cutting in a jar containing plain water while ensuring that at least one leaf node is under water.
- Position the set up in a well-lit spot and change the water every 5-7 days.
- Once adequate roots have developed, plant the cutting in soil and place in a well-lit, warm place.
- Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting afterwhich you can begin routine care.
3. Air-layering Monstera dubia by notching the stem
- Notch the stem of a healthy plant and coat the notch with a rooting hormone to promote rooting.
- Surround the notched area with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.
- After the roots have formed sever the stem just below the covered part.
- Remove the polythene and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist, well-drained soil.
- Place in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established afterwhich you can begin routine care.
4. Air-layering Monstera dubia at a leaf node
- Coat the stem at a node with a rooting hormone.
- Surround the node with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.
- After the roots have formed sever the stem just below the covered part.
- Remove the polythene and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist free-draining soil.
- Place in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established afterwhich you can begin routine care.
Monstera dubia Problems & Solutions
Monstera dubia problems are yellowing leaves, brown leaf tips & edges, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Yellowing leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Monstera dubia are too little light, dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil or aging.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in medium indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or use a cool mist humidifier.
Inconsistent watering: Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. Do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Aging: It is natural for the old leaves to turn yellow and drop as the plant matures.
Brown leaf tips & edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Monstera dubia are caused by low humidity, being pot-bound, salts buildup or pests infestations.
How to fix it
Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Being pot-bound: Repot the plant into a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole.
Salts buildup: Leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth and small pale leaves on Monstera dubia is due to too little light or overwatering.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive medium indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Overwatering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out.
Pests
Common pests of Monstera dubia are mealybugs, scale insects, aphids and spider mites which are prevalent in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the infested plant to minimize spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to increase humidity to depress the pests infestations.
Diseases
Monstera dubia is prone to leaf spot disease which is brought about by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. The disease presents as brown, soft leaf spots.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with a fungicidal solution as per the redommendations on the label.
- Ensure that there is good air circulation for the plant to reduce infestation.
- Avoid wetting the foliage during watering to discourage the disease.
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