Monstera Standleyana: How to Take Care of It Indoors

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Shaleena Quinlan

Shaleena comes from a long line of midwestern farmers and feels like gardening is in her blood. She loved helping her grandmother in her garden, learning to plow the soil, sow the seeds, and carefully attend to each plant. Her travels had added to her gardening knowledge, and she knows quite a bit about growing produce in the tropics. She always makes space for a bit of a garden no matter where she has lived.

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Monstera Standleyana is a lovely trailing plant from the jungles of South America. Its tropical nature leads it to be unburdensome and stunningly beautiful. It is an excellent plant to use to create a tropical environment whether indoors or outdoors.

How to Identify Five Holes Plant

The leaves of this plant help to identify it. They are long, oblong, and variegated with green and white colors. Some leaves can be whiter in color than they are green, which can cause the plant difficulty during the process of photosynthesis.

How to Grow Five Holes Plant from Seed

While this plant does take many months to grow from seed, it is a simple process to do so. The steps for growing a Five Holes Plant are:

1. Purchase seeds from a reputable seller (sellers who price their seeds between $1 and $2)
2. Soak the seeds in water for 24 to 48 hours
3. Fill a container with a seed starting soil mix
4. Plant the seeds in the soil mix
5. Water the soil so that it is moist but not soggy
6. Place plastic wrap over the top of the container
7. Set the container in a warm spot that gets plenty of bright, indirect sunlight
8. Once sprouts appear above the soil level, acclimatize them to open-air
9. Once the plants are established, move them to a more permanent plant container

How to Propagate Five Holes Plant

Either stem cuttings or root division can propagate this plant. Both methods are easy to do.

Stem Cuttings

1. Using a sterile cutting utensil, cut off a healthy stem that includes a leaf and a node
2. Set the stem in a container filled with water
3. Set the container in a place that gets bright but indirect sunlight
4. Change the water every other week
5. Once roots have been established on the stem, plant the stem in a container filled with potting soil that contains a mixture of perlite
6. Water the potting soil and keep it moist but not soggy

Root Division

1. Remove the plant from its container
2. Dust the soil off its roots
3. Using a sterile cutting utensil, divide the roots into two halves
4. Set the roots out to dry for 12 to 24 hours
5. Plant the roots in fresh potting soil
6. Lightly water the soil

Five Holes Growing Conditions

Since this plant is a native of rainforests, it prefers an environment that is warm and humid. It will grow far better when it is set in a place with a lot of humidity and temperatures that are at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Since this combination is not a favored environment for most humans, it may be best to supply heat and humidity to this plant via a plant humidifier or a pebble tray.

Five Holes Plant also grows as a vine so providing it with either a moss pole or setting it in a hanging basket will allow it to grow healthy trailing vines.

How to Plant Five Holes Plant

This plant can handle being in a smaller plant container for a little while; however, if its growth slows, it may be a sign that its roots are balling together and need more space to grow. When this happens, simply get a plant container that is 2 inches larger in diameter than its current container and follow these steps:

1. Fill the new container with potting soil
2. Create a hole in the soil for the plant to sit inside
3. Carefully remove the plant from its current container
4. Gently dust off any excess soil from its roots
5. Set the plant into the hole in the new container
6. Spread the soil around so that the plant is secure in its new container
7. Water the plant
8. Set it in a warm spot with bright, indirect sunlight

Five Holes Potting & Soil

This plant needs soil that drains well but is not sandy either. Soil that is a mixture of 2 parts regular soil with 1 part each of orchid bark and perlite is an excellent choice to use for this plant.

In addition, this plant will need its soil to remain in a pH level range of 5 to 7.5. It is easy to test soil pH levels using a Soil pH Meter, and then, adjusting the levels by adding compost, peat moss, aluminum sulfate, sulfur, wood ashes, or agricultural limestone depending on whether the levels need to be more acidic or more alkaline. For information on how to adjust soil pH levels, read this article.

Five Holes Plant Water Requirements

This plant will need a lot of regular watering; in fact, it may need watering every other day when kept indoors. Even though it does like a lot of water, it should not be overwatered since it is susceptible to root rot. It always best to check the top layer of soil before watering it to make sure it is dry. If the top two inches are dry, the plant can use a drink, if however, the soil is still wet, it is best to wait another day or two.

Technology can help alleviate the guesswork when it comes to planting watering requirements, techniques, and tracking. Apps such as Waterbot are invaluable assistants to gardeners.

Best Five Holes Plant Fertilizer

Because too much fertilizer or a fertilizer that is made of cheap materials can cause this plant damage, it is best to fertilize it only three times a year (never during winter) with an organic fertilizer that has high-quality ingredients. The Grow Company has an excellent product for indoor plants that is safe and gentle.

Best Five Holes Plant Companion Plantings

Plants, such as Five Holes Plants, that grow in lush, tropical environments beg for plant companions. They look lovely together and they are ideal to use to create an indoor tropical getaway or patio space. Here are just three of the many amazing options that will make a wonderful companion for a Five Holes Plant.

Monstera Epipremnoides

This is also nicknamed the Swiss Cheese Plant because it features leaves that grow with distinct holes that are reminiscent of that type of cheese. It is also a tropical plant that is easy to grow and has many of the same care requirements as Five Holes Plants, which makes the process of learning how to care for both plants quickly and easily.

Common Features

• Both plants grow as vines
• Both plants grow naturally in tropical places
• Both plants are easy to grow on mossy poles or in hanging plant containers
• Both plants require soil that is full of organic material and is well-draining
• Both plants require a lot of bright but indirect sunlight

Pros:

• It has many common care requirements as Five Holes Plants
• It is easy to propagate via stem cuttings

Cons:

• It is toxic if consumed
• It can grow very large (up to 13 feet tall)
• It can suffer from too little humidity
• It can suffer from too much direct sun
• It is susceptible to root rot

Monstera Dubia

This type of tropical plant produces trailing vines that grow against trees. It also requires many of the same types of care methods that Five Holes Plants require.

Common Features

• Both plants grow as vines
• Both plants grow naturally in tropical places
• Both plants are easy to grow on mossy poles or in hanging plant containers
• Both plants require soil that is full of organic material and is well-draining
• Both plants require a lot of bright but indirect sunlight

Pros:

• It is easy to learn how to water
• It grows up poles and posts
• It is very decorative
• It is easy to prune
• It is easy to propagate with stem cuttings

Cons:

• It can get root rot
• It attracts scale insects and spider mites

Philodendron Subhastatum

This plant hails from the tropic spaces of South America and loves to climb. It is another option that is perfectly suited to grow next to a Five Holes Plant.

Common Features

• Both plants enjoy bright but indirect sunlight
• Both plants require soil that drains well
• Both plants require soil that contains peat moss
• Both plants require warm, humid air
• Both plants are easy to propagate via stem cuttings

Pros:

• It has many air-purifying qualities
• Its leaves are red and green in color
• It will grow under artificial light sources

Cons:

• It is susceptible to root rot
• It is susceptible to infestations of mealybugs
• It is not cold tolerant
• It requires soil that contains plenty of magnesium

Five Holes Plant Diseases and Common Problems

While this plant is easy to care for, it is susceptible to infestations and diseases. The most common problems it faces are:

Overwatering

Evidence of a plant that is overwatered are leaves that have turned yellow or brown.

Underwatering

Evidence that a plant is under-watered are leaves that are dry and wilting.

Fungus

Evidence of fungus growing on this plant is brown spots encircled by yellow.

Fungus Gnats

Evidence of an infestation of fungus gnats is tiny mosquito-like insects flying around the plant.

Mealybugs

Evidence of an infestation of mealybugs is small white spots that look like cotton on leaves and stems.

Scale Bugs

Evidence of an infestation of scale bugs is tiny brown bumps on the backs of leaves.

Spider Mites

Evidence of an infestation of spider mites is white webbing on the leaves and stems.

Five Holes Plant Treatments and Maintenance

When a plant is facing an infestation or a common problem, it is best to act quickly to save the plant. These are the steps to treat the most common problems faced by Five Holes Plants.

Overwatering

Let the soil dry out completely and set the plant in a place where it will get plenty of airflow. If it is still struggling with too much water in its container, follow these steps:

1. Remove the plant from its container
2. Wash off all the dirt from its roots
3. Cut off any roots that are rotten
4. Replant the plant in a clean container with fresh soil
5. Wait to water it for a few days

Underwatering

Simply give the plant a drink. Keep an eye on the plant to make sure it is getting better. It may also require a move to an area with less sun, airflow, or heat.

Fungus

If fungus is spotting growing on one of these plants, follow these steps:

1. Remove any parts of the plant that have been affected by the fungus
2. Remove the plant from its current container
3. Wash the plant and its roots
4. Replant the plant in a clean container with fresh soil

Fungus Gnats

To deal with an infestation of fungus gnats, follow these steps:

1. Remove the top two inches of soil from the plant container
2. Sprinkle the plant and the soil with diatomaceous earth
3. Place fresh soil around the plant
4. Use a sticky trap to catch more gnats

Mealybugs

To deal with an infestation of mealybugs, follow these steps:

1. Spray a solution of alcohol and water on the leaves
2. Rub the leaves with a cotton ball
3. Coat the leaves in neem oil or insecticidal soap every few days

Scale Bugs

To deal with an infestation of scale bugs, follow these steps:

1. Spray them off with a hose
2. Wipe the remainder off with neem oil and a cloth
3. Prevent them from returning by coating the leaves with neem oil regularly

Spider Mites

To deal with an infestation of spider mites, follow these steps:

1. Spray the plant with a mixture of 1 quart of warm water, 1 tsp. of dish soap, and 2 tsps. Of neem oil
2. Wipe off the leaves and stems
3. Repeat as necessary

Where to Buy Five Holes Plant Seed Online

Purchasing seeds online is an easy way to gather gardening supplies. It is both simple and cost-effective. Some of the best places to purchase seeds online are from these online shops:

• Hoss Tools
• Eden Brothers
• Strange Wonderful Things

Where to Buy Mature Five Holes Plant Online

Not only are seeds available for purchase online, but also, mature plants. These online sellers have a great selection of Five Holes Plants available for purchase:

• Etsy
• House of Monstera

FAQs

Concluding Thoughts

Five Holes Plant is an excellent choice for anyone trying to create a tropical ambience in his or her living room or backyard. It provides beautiful foliage with little effort. It looks wonderful whether planted in the ground, in a ground-level plant container, or in a hanging container.