Shingle Monstera (Monstera dubia)

Add to My Plants (0)

Close

No account yet? Register

Plant Details

Category: Houseplants

Light: Bright Light

Bloom Season:

Height: 3-10' /

0.9-3m

Space: 2-3' /

0.6-0.9m

Zones: 11, 12

Lowest Temp: 50° to 80°F /

10° to 27°C

Colors: Grown for foliage

Basic Care

Plant in organic-rich, well-drained soil. Keep soil moist during periods of active growth. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly. Prune to maintain desired size. Potted plants benefit from a support stake made of wood or coco fiber to give the plant a place to climb.

Water

Water every 5 to 7 days depending on light and temperature. Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy.

Soil

Light, well-drained soil.

Feed

Once every month through spring and summer.

Shingle Monstera detailed care guide →

Fast Growth

Heat Tolerant

Ornamental Foliage

Containers

Hanging Baskets

Features

A charming Monstera species that is as interesting as it is attractive. This is a vining plant that produces heart-shaped leaves in variegated shades of green. In early stages the plant clings to rocks, trees, or other structures with leaves that lie flat against the surface, slightly overlapping with each other to create an appearance similar to shingles on a roof. As the plant matures the leaves develop the “fenestrations”, or leaf holes, that are typical of many Monstera species and the variegation fades to green. Sometimes commonly referred to as just “shingle plant” but that common name is also shared with certain Rhaphidophora species so confusion can arise if relying on common names for plant identification.

Monstera is native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America where it climbs by aerial roots into the trees. In a container its best to provide some type of support, such as a trellis or fiber totem that the plant can cling to.

A word of caution; monstera plants contain a substance called calcium oxalate that is toxic to cats and dogs.

Uses

Looks beautiful trailing from a hanging basket or grown as a potted plant near a bright window. Can also be grown as a patio plant during the summer and brought indoors for the winter.

Shingle Monstera (Monstera dubia) Care Guide

Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix.

Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.

Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Remove the plant from its pot.

Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Place plant in a reliably sunny location.

Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.

Prefers moist but well-drained soil. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.

Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet.

Most container plants can be pruned freely to maintain the desired size and shape. Keeping the foliage trimmed also keeps the plants looking neat and tidy, encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. This is important since the roots are in a confined space.

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants.

Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.

Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.

Shingle Monstera Companion/Combination Plants

Umbrella Plant, Octopus Tree (Schefflera actinophylla)

Details & Care Guide

Peperomia, Radiator Plant (Peperomia species)

Details & Care Guide

Shingle Monstera (Monstera dubia)

Plant Details