Monstera standleyana (Five Holes Plant) Indoor Care, Propagation and Common Problems
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Monstera standleyana (Five Holes Plant) does well in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing period.
Five Holes Plant is among the popular Monstera varieties and bears upright, oval, dark-green leaves which are striped with white and silvery speckles.
Each leaf has a unique pattern and the stems have a wide, butterfly-like shape which make the Five Holes Plant a spectacular decorative plant in any space.
Botanical name: Monstera standleyana
Family: Araceae
Common name: Five Holes Plant
Origin
Monstera standleyana is native to the tropical rainforests of Central America in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Panama.
Size
Five Holes Plant is a climbing plant which grow to a height of 12-15 feet. It can be grown as a climber on a moss pole or on a trellis.
Varieties
Three variants of the Monstera standleyana are available. The first one is Monstera standleyana Variegated White which has white speckles on the foliage and stem.
The second one is Monstera standleyana Albo-Variegata which has portions of the plant in white discoloration.
The third one is Monstera standleyana Variegated Yellow which has yellowish-cream portions, speckles and stripes on the leaves.
Monstera standleyana is sometimes incorrectly labelled as Philodendron standleyana or Philodendron Cobra due to its close resemblance to Philodendrons.
Is Monstera standleyana toxic?
Yes. Monstera standleyana 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
Would like to add this elegant plant to your collection? You may obtain Monstera standleyana online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Monstera standleyana Indoors
To care Monstera standleyana indoors, provide bright indirect light (filtered light), warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, Monstera potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Five Holes Plant requires regular pruning to keep it neat, rejuvenate growth as well as discourage pest and disease infestation. 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 standleyana?
Do not water on a schedule. Water Monstera standleyana liberally in spring and summer while allowing 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 leaf drop.
Reduce watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely as underwatering can lead to wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf fall.
Use room temperature water to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf loss. Only water with chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Select a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and eventual death of the plant.
Light Requirements
How much light does Monstera standleyana need?
Monstera standleyana grows best in bright indirect light.. Position the plant next to a sunless window or near a bright window to maintain the variegation. Keep it away from direct sunlight or use a light curtain to diffuse it to prevent scorching of the leaves
Under too low light the plant will be leggy with small pale leaves and will lose its beautiful variegation. Therefore, if the natural lighting is insufficient, use a full spectrum grow light to complement it.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth as well as prevent leggy growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Monstera standleyana prefers a warmth of 18-280C. Keep it away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat sources, windy doors among others as they can lead to stunted growth and leaf drop.
Five Holes Plant requires a humidity of 50-55%. If the air is too dry, the plant will develop brown leaf tips and edges. Therefore, to step-up humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together. Maintain good air flow to discourage fungal diseases.
Potting Mix
Which is the best potting mix for Monstera standleyana?
Monstera standleyana potting mix should be rich in organic matter and well-drained to prevent waterlogging while providing the required nutrients. A potting mix designed for Monsteras and those for Aroids are ideal for the plant.
Fertilizer
How do you feed Monstera standleyana?
Feed Monstera standleyana with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer. Withhold feeding in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn since growth is minimal at this time.
Regularly, flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole. Let it run for some time to clear as much salt as possible.
Repotting
What is the best time to repot Monstera standleyana?
Repot Monstera standleyana every 1-2 years in the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when pot-bound that is when the roots begin to grow through the drainage hole.
Use a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and loss of the plant. Check out these ceramic pots with a drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Five Holes Plant is easy as it involves removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat. When it becomes too large and unruly cutback the stems to the desired level to rejuvenate growth. The stems can be used to propagate new plants.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestation.
Monstera standleyana Propagation
Monstera standleyana (Five Holes Plant) propagation is best done at the beginning of the growing season by use of stem cuttings. The stem cuttings can be rooted in 2 ways; either in soil or in water.
1. Rooting Monstera standleyana 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. Ensure the cutting has at least 2 nodes and some aerial roots.
- Strip off the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
- Insert at least 3 inches of the cutting in moist, well-drained soil. Ensure the rooting container has proper drainage to avoid getting soggy soil.
- Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.
- Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting to individual pots after which you can begin routine care.
2. Rooting Monstera standleyana 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. Ensure the cutting has at least 2 nodes and some aerial roots.
- Strip the lower leaves and dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to promote rooting.
- Submerge at least 3 inches of the cutting in a jar of plain water.
- Position the set up in a well-lit spot and change the water every 5-7 days to prevent fungal growth.
- Once adequate roots have developed, transfer the rooted cutting into well-draining soil.
- Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place and maintain the soil moist through out.
- Allow the new plant to be well established after which you can begin routine care.
Monstera standleyana Problems & Remedies
Monstera standleyana (Five Holes Plant) common problems are yellow & dropping leaves, lack of perforations, brown leaf tips, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.
Yellowing & dropping leaves
Yellowing & dropping leaves on Monstera standleyana are due to too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, dry air and aging.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water only when the top 2-3 inches of the soil feel dry.
Soggy soil: Use a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Aging: It is natural for the old leaves to turn yellow and drop as the plant matures.
Lack of perforations
Lack of perforations on Five Holes Plant is caused by immaturity, insufficient light, drafts, inconsistent watering, nutrients deficiency and plant height.
How to fix it
Immaturity: The young leaves may not be perforated.
Insufficient light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like drafty windows, windy doors, AC units, heat sources among others to maintain a warmth of 18-280C.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Plant height: In tall plants, lack of perforation is likely due to failure of water reaching the uppermost leaves. Push the aerial roots into the compost or use a moist support to supply water and nutrients to the upper leaves.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Brown leaf tips and edges on Monstera standleyana are caused by dry air, salts buildup, being pot-bound or pests infestations.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to elevate humidity.
Salts buildup: Flush out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Being pot-bound: Repot the plant into a pot 1 size larger that has a drainage hole.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
Leggy growth and small pale leaves
Leggy growth and small pale leaves on Five Holes Plant is caused by too little light or overwatering.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Overwatering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out.
Pests
Common pests on Monstera standleyana are mealybugs, scales, aphids, and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the infested plant to minimize spread to other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to reduce 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 standleyana is prone to leaf spot disease which presents as brown, soft leaf spots. It is promoted by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with a fungicidal solution as indicated on the label.
- Maintain a good air flow for the plant to reduce infestation.
- Take care not to wet the foliage during watering to discourage the disease .
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.