Monstera standleyana variegata

Humid forests from Nicaragua to Colombia

Monstera standleyana is native from southeastern Nicaragua through Costa Rica and Panama to northwestern Colombia. It grows from near sea level to about 1,500 m in humid tropical forest, especially along the Caribbean slope and near the Continental Divide.

In Colombia, it also occurs at very low elevations in the Pacific and Chocó regions, where the vines climb trees in wet forest.

Care for fenestrated aroid roots and climbing growth

Growth and support: Guide the stem up a textured support and hold the nodes close until aerial roots attach. Adult leaves usually remain entire; the absence of splits is normal for this species.

Leaf care: If a shoot remains all green or nearly all pale, prune to the last node whose stem still carries both colours.

Roots and substrate: Water after the rootball surface has dried slightly. Wet the mix throughout, let the excess drain and avoid repeated complete drying.

Watering: Provide gentle circulation around the narrow leaves and keep water from remaining in the rolled new growth.

Problems and solutions for Monstera standleyana variegata

• Mature leaves of this species usually remain entire. Cream stripes, flecks and sectors are also normal features of the variegated plant.
• Spots, scorch or a blackened new leaf: Brown edges on several leaves call for checks of the mix at several depths, root firmness and fertiliser salts. A single dry patch on the exposed face fits scorch, while raised coloured powder on an enlarging yellow spot is an active leaf problem and should be kept dry and apart while it changes. A blackened new leaf can follow chilling, abrupt temperature change, root failure or damage inside the roll; timing and tissue firmness help separate these causes.
• Pest signs on leaves and nodes: Black deposits beside rough silver feeding streaks on a new leaf support thrips; a clean tear at a support is physical. Fixed brown covers, white cottony wax and nearby stickiness support scale or mealybugs. Remove visible pests and use the appropriate labelled treatment, testing a small area of young variegated foliage first.
• Green or nearly white shoots: A persistent solid-green or almost-white shoot can be removed at the nearest earlier node where both colours are present. Compare the change with root firmness, exposure and later growth before pruning.

Monstera standleyana variegata is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

The meaning and history of Monstera standleyana

Monstera comes from Latin monstrum or monstrosus, words for something unusual or abnormally formed, referring to the striking holes and divisions in the leaves. Standleyana honours American botanist Paul Carpenter Standley.

Michel Adanson established the genus Monstera in 1763 in Familles des plantes, volume 2, page 470.

George Sydney Bunting first described Monstera standleyana in 1967 in Baileya, volume 14, page 133.