Monstera Dubia is a tropical plant native to south and Central America. Essentially this Monstera is renowned for its heart-shaped leaves and variegation, i.e., exhibiting different colors, especially irregular patches or streaks. In the case of Monstera Dubia, it reflects the intricate white patterns scattered skilfully across the leaf, mirroring an artist’s best work. In spring and summer, the plant blooms show off the most beautiful pale pink flowers guaranteed to brighten your day.
Do we wish to know more? Well, continue ahead, and we shall enlighten you about all things Monstera Dubia!
Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Monstera
- Species: Monstera Dubia
About the Genus Monstera
Its Genus itself is named after the Latin word, meaning monstrous or abnormal, referring to the Monstera family’s natural holes that their leaves possess. Monstera is the Genus of a flowering plant species compassing 45 different species. All essentially kept indoors as houseplants.
Common Names and Synonyms
The Monstera Dubia resembles the famous shingle Rhaphidophora cryptantha plant and its sibling, the Monstera deliciosa, during its juvenile stage, hence the nickname; ‘shingle plant.’
Origin and Distribution
The Monstera Dubia is essentially a climber plant that goes through many dramatic changes while it achieves full maturity and blooms. It is renowned for its climb from the seed stage on the forest floor to the full length around the host tree before its blooming bliss.
Structure and Features of a Monstera Dubia
Foliage and Stem
As a sapling, it consists of small oval-shaped leaves of around two to three inches, possessing various shades of green and even silvery grey variegation. Eventually, the plant matures, and the leaves grow out to become around a foot long. That is when the fenestration, i.e., the appearance of tiny pores or holes, on the leaves becomes quite apparent. A blooming Monstera Dubia is a rare sight, especially if it’s kept indoors, as for it to bloom to full appropriation, the plant requires strong sunlight. However, a blooming Monstera Dubia showcases salmon color flowers right when the earliest leaves mature.
Height and Structure
Climbing: Just as I mentioned earlier, the Monstera Dubia is a climber plant. It loves to climb! If planted outdoors, it’s best to pot it next to a tree so it may intertwine with it and grow around it. These are renowned for the dramatic heights they can achieve. Indoors, you may buy your Dubia a small moss pole or trellis that will serve the same purpose as the outside tree! It will adhere to the surface and soon occupy it with various shingles!
Monstera Dubia Flowers
Contrary to popular belief, the Monstera Dubia indeed blooms the most riveting salmon-pink flowers. However, the flowers require ample sunlight to bloom, and since Monstera Dubia is mostly grown indoors, they hardly get a chance to show their glory.
Monstera Dubia: the Evergreen Vine
The Monstera Dubia can be kept as both; an indoor plant and an outdoor one. Either way, you will require a pot to be a home to your plant. Considering your family has run around children, clay pots would be the ideal choice. Due to their weight and inexpensive attributes, they may host your Monsteras even at full maturity while also being a less vulnerable target for running around humans. In contrast, plastic pots are more susceptible to pests, and your plant may require re-potting once it fully matures.
Monstera Dubia Care
Let’s cover some of the care instructions that go hand in hand with planting a Monstera Dubia.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for your Monstera, it being a Tropical plant, is between fifteen to twenty-five degrees Celcius/ 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The requirement works in favor of you, as most room temperature is the same. However, it is crucial to note that the Monsteras are highly susceptible to winter and frost. Thus it is recommended to not plant it in areas where the temperatures to 10 degrees or lower.
Humidity
The preferred humidity for a Monstera is above fifty percent, it being a tropical plant. However, if you live in a dry area, an easy fix could be a pebble tray or a humidifier. If either doesn’t seem to be a viable option, you can simply use a spray bottle and spray water around your plant several times a day. Don’t over wet it like that makes it prone to several fungi. Keep an eye out for dried or curling leaves- that’s your tell that your plant is not in a humid enough environment!
Water
These cues vary with whether your plan is indoors or outdoors. If it’s indoors then, watering to the extent of once a week is acceptable. Overwatering your plant may prove to be fatal in certain conditions, so you must take care to listen to your Monstera Dubia’s needs. If the upper layer of the soil appears to be dry, perhaps, on a hot day, for both indoor and outdoor scenarios, check if it’s dry throughout. That could be done with the help of your finger or even a wooden spoon, as preferred. Another alternative method may be just weighing your pot. If it’s heavy, it’s probably the water weight, and if it isn’t, that probably translates to your plant requiring water. You may water your plant if the soil seems dry. Otherwise, it is not required. Do it the following day.
During winter months, soil retains more water, so watering should be reduced further.
Flooding your Monstera might lead to complications. The least of those include Root rot. As the name itself suggests, root rot reflects the condition in which the roots die and are unable to sponge up the moisture or the essential nutrients, ultimately leading to death. Root rot could be a consequence of both dehydration and overflooding.
Sunlight
Plentiful sunlight is a crucial element to allow for the Monstera to bloom its full potential. The reason that most indoor plants don’t achieve their maximum heights and bloom is due to the lack of proper sunlight they receive. However, direct sunlight may also prove harsh and might end up scorching your Monstera; thus, a middle ground is advised.
Soil
Regarding soil, quick-draining, and rich peaty soil is ultimate for your Dubia. The pH range could vary from five to seven. Here’s a lovely little recipe to answer your soil queries; use equal parts of finely shredded orchid bark, peat moss, and perlite. Beware of dry and soggy soils as they are both off-bounds for this species.
Fertilizer
Fertilization allows your plant to grow well, with healthy, glossy leaves. Fertilizing your Dubia is quite essential. It provides the boost or supplements you may call it, which acts as an extra nudge for optimum growth. Nothing too dramatic though, fertilizing three times a year would do the trick.
Toxicity
The Dubia is, in fact, toxic in nature. So best beware of keeping the kids and pets away from mingling!
Pests
The most likely pests to attack these plants are; spider mites and scale insects. An easy fix to get rid of both involves neem oil, which is an all-natural oil. All you need to do is mix the neem oil with water in a clean spray bottle and shake it up nicely.
You might want to test a small area of your plant before you use the oil just to check for any adverse reactions.
Potting and Repotting
Re-potting, your Dubia, might be required. The Monsteras mature to become big plants, which in turn like big homes. No one wishes to live in a stuffy little hole. A very obvious tell is when the roots poke out of the drainage hole in your plant. Your Monstera is demanding a more spacey home! That in itself is a careful process of re-potting.
Monsters aren’t known to be big fans of re-potting, that is unless they become root-bound. Initially, a trim of your plant might suffice in allowing it to continue on healthy as well as the removal of leaves.
Although ultimately, a re-potting might be called in order. There are sure tell-a-tale signs that you may look for. These cues will guide you in realizing the correct time for re-potting. Such as
- Your plant is drying up too quickly.
- Your plant is yellowing or changing in color.
- You haven’t changed the pot in over a year.
- Your plant is growing out of its pot.
The ideal temperature for the re-potting of your Mensora Dubia is late spring. The process of re-potting serves as an opportunity for your soil to recharge and regain its organic properties.
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Re-potting your Monstera Dubia
Choosing the right pot
Make sure your pot has several drainage holes. Keep in mind that a bigger pot doesn’t mean a drastic upgrade. A size larger than the previous would prove to be sufficient enough, something that allows your Dubia to grow comfortably. Cleaning and disinfecting go without saying.
Lightly sprinkle your Dubia
This will help you scooping the plant out with ease, as the prunin will get moist and will no longer stick to the inner corners of the pot. It is vital to perform this step hours before the actual removal to allow the water to seep through.
Remove the Plant
It is ideal to grab the stem using your index finger and thumb and tug the plant out. As gently as possible, allowing it to ease into the pressure and let go of its current home. You may use a knife to detach.
Prune the Roots
Remove any foul-smelling or pungent roots that have changed color or blackened along with old root balls to allow fresh ones to prosper. However, if you see a considerable portion of the soil that seems to be getting lost, that suggests your plant may have a fungal problem and cannot carry on with the process.
Otherwise, you may use your fingers to smooth out and uncoil some of the roots before going forward.
Place Your Dubia in Its New Home
You may gently pot your plant, making sure all the drainage holes are covered for now. Place it in the exact center and upright. Provide soil support as required.
Fill your pot
Add in the soil! But be careful, do not stuff your plant. Remember that this is a new home, and your Dubia needs space to breathe.
Watering and Care
Be mindful that you need to allow your plant to ease into its new surroundings. So keep away from harsh or exaggerated sunlight or water. Moderate amounts of all as your plant settles in.
Propagation
The Monstera Dubia plants aren’t hard to propagate. That being said, the optimal time for doing so is March, in spring. There are a handful of ways to multiply your Monstera Dubia, as stated below.
Stem Cuttings
You’re going to need sterilized pruning shears. What you need to do is make a clean cut under the leaf node of a flourishing Dubia. The stem cutting should have leaves present. Allow the cutting to callous first before replanting. Once that is done, all you need to do is replant it and care for it as any other Dubia. Or as I have listed earlier.
Propagation via Separation
Ensure the soil is moist by watering your plant, using sterilized shears again, and separating your Monstera Dubia. Fill your new pot with soil, keeping in mind to leave room for the water to travel. Unwind your Dubia from its moss pole as the first step of removal. Then gently remove your plant from the soil, taking care not to damage the fragile roots. Gently shake off the excess dirt on your roots underwater. Be mindful of using just the right amount of soil in the new plants, so they might offer support and room to breathe as well.
Alas, simply care for your Monstera Dubia’s as you do for any other.
Final Word
The Monstera Dubia is a beautiful little plant that doesn’t cease to admire you in all the many transformations it makes. With the usual run-of-the-mill care and loving hands, it promises to flourish. All in all, don’t forget to love and cherish your little friend along the way. Talk to it. Maybe it has the answers to everything you were looking for. You never know!
