Looking to add one of nature’s coolest and most one-of-a-kind plants to your home? Monstera Obliqua is a houseplant that’s bound to turn heads whenever someone steps into your room. This eye-catching tropical plant comes with its own unique leaves, a full spread of green, and a fascinating backstory. Just get a hold of a few tips, and you can keep it growing strong for years! In this ultimate guide to Monstera Obliqua care and growing pointers, you’ll discover everything from how to water it and feed it to ways to make it look great. Ready to dive in and learn how to make this gorgeous plant shine?
What is a Monstera Obliqua?
Monstera obliqua is its own special plant, easy to tell apart from other kinds in the Monstera family. This tropical vine that loves climbing comes from Central and South America and has this wild foliage with holes that’s got it nicknamed the “Swiss Cheese Plant.” Growing up to 15 meters, it’s got big dark green leaves that can reach 75 cm, all covered with creamy-white spots and holes. This standout species isn’t easy to grow – sometimes, some of the more ordinary Monstera adansonii get mixed up and labeled as Monstera obliqua. So make sure you know what you’re snagging with this rare and pretty plant!
Monstera Obliqua care overview
| Botanical Name | Monstera obliqua |
| Common Name | Swiss cheese plant, windowleaf |
| Family | Araceae |
| Genus | Monstera |
| Mature Size | Grow up to 20ft, but usually kept smaller as a houseplant |
| Soil Type | Well-draining, rich in organic matter |
| Soil pH | 6.0-6.5 |
| Native Area | Central America, Mexico |
| Temperature | 65-85°F, avoid temperatures below 50°F |
| Light | Bright, indirect light or partial shade |
| Watering | Keep soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged |
| Humidity | High, prefers above 50% relative humidity |
| Fertilizer | During the growth season, apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month. |
| Propagation | By stem cuttings or division |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets and humans if ingested |
How to care for Monstera Obliqua?
If you want to look after Monstera Obliqua the right way, you need to know what the plant likes and doesn’t like. Just check out the stuff below:
Light Requirements
Monstera obliqua likes bright, indirect sunlight but can handle some direct rays too. If you don’t give it enough light, the leaves might get smaller and you won’t see as many of them. The best place for Monstera obliqua is somewhere that gets bright, but not direct, light for most of the day.
If you can’t give it that kind of light, you could try putting it where it gets some direct sun for a bit. Just keep an eye on it to make sure the leaves don’t start to burn or turn brown from too much direct sunlight.
Soil
Monstera obliqua is a tropical plant, so it loves soil with lots of organic stuff in it and good drainage. The best soil for this plant is a bit on the acidic side, with a pH from 6.0 to 6.5. A mix of equal parts peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and old compost should work to give Monstera obliqua what it needs.
You can also throw in things like sphagnum moss, pine bark pieces, or worm poop to make the drainage and air flow even better. Before you plant it, make sure to water the soil really well so it’s damp all over but not soaking wet. This’ll help the Monstera obliqua grow strong roots and be happy in its new spot.
Watering
When it comes to giving Monstera obliqua a drink, you’ll want to keep the soil nice and damp. Make sure to water it often, but don’t drown it or leave the soil all mushy. In the winter, when it’s not growing so much, ease up on the water so you don’t end up with root rot or other problems.
You’ll have to change up the watering depending on how much sun and heat you’ve got, as this will change how fast the water dries up. Give Monstera obliqua enough water so that it starts to leak out the bottom. Then, wait for the top bit of soil to dry out before going at it again. Also, water in the morning or early afternoon to let it soak it all up and keep away any diseases that might like wet leaves at night.
A good general plan is to water once a week if the temperature and light are pretty normal. If it’s hotter or really sunny, you might have to water a bit more. If you can, use rainwater or distilled water, since tap water can have stuff in it that’s not great for the plant.
Keep an eye on the leaves to make sure you’re not overwatering. If you see them going yellow, wilted, or brown, you might have a problem. If that happens, water less and look for any signs of fungus in the soil. When you do water, aim at the base of the plant, so you don’t get the leaves all wet and invite diseases. Keep checking the moisture in the soil and change up your watering to keep your Monstera obliqua happy and growing.
Temperature and Humidity
Monstera obliqua likes it warm and steamy. Keep it between 65-85°F (18-29°C) during the day and a little cooler at night. Anything below 50°F (10°C) can mess it up, so watch out for that. It likes the air to be about 70-80% humid, so you might want to spray it with water or get a humidifier. Plus, make sure it gets a good amount of light but not direct sun. Treat it right, and Monstera obliqua can be a real showstopper in your home.
High humidity is a must for Monstera obliqua if you want it to be its best, with big, lush leaves. Spraying it with water or having a humidifier nearby can do the trick. And make sure the soil can drain well so you don’t overwater it and cause root rot. With the right love and the right temperatures, Monstera obliqua can make any place look amazing.
And don’t forget, Monstera Obliqua likes to be fed on a schedule. During growing time, give it some balanced fertilizer every two weeks to make sure it’s getting everything it needs to be its awesome self.
Fertilizer
Want to make sure your Monstera obliqua gets all the good stuff it needs? Give it some balanced liquid fertilizer once a month while it’s growing. Just follow the instructions on the bottle, and don’t go crazy with it. Too much of it can mess up the roots and harm the plant. But if you do it right, you’ll help your Monstera obliqua get all nice and bushy with healthy roots. Think of it like giving it a monthly vitamin boost for the best growth!
Repotting
To repot monstera, gently remove the plant from its existing pot and shake off excess soil from the roots. Have a look to make sure the roots aren’t damaged or rotten before putting it in the new pot. Start with a layer of fresh soil at the bottom, and then pop the Monstera obliqua in there. Fill it in with soil, but not too tightly, and make sure there aren’t any air gaps around the roots. Give it a good drink of water after you’ve moved it, but wait a few days before feeding it any fertilizer. Repotting like this gives the Monstera obliqua more room for nutrients and helps it grow nice and healthy. Follow these steps, and you’ll keep your Monstera obliqua looking awesome!
Pruning
Got to keep that Monstera obliqua looking sharp and healthy? Pruning is the way to do it. It helps your plant sprout new growth and keeps it looking all lush and lively. You’ll want to get to pruning in the Spring, just before it starts really growing.
Here’s what you do: cut off any aerial roots that aren’t doing anything for the plant, and trim whole leaves and stems back to the main stem. That’ll keep it looking good. Just be sure to use clean pruning shears, so you don’t mess up the plant. Keep an eye on it after you’ve done the trimming to see if there’s any new growth, and trim it up as needed.
Monstera Obliqua Propagation
Thinking about making more Monstera Obliqua? You can do it with stem cuttings or by dividing the plant.
For stem cuttings, the best time to grab a cutting is in the spring and summer when it’s growing. You’ll want a cutting about 6 to 8 inches long, with at least two leaves and some nodes. Chop off the nodes with a clean, sharp knife and you can even dip the bottom in rooting powder to get those roots going. Then pop the Monstera Obliqua cutting in some damp soil, keep it warm and humid, and wait for those roots to grow.
Dividing the plant is another way to go. If you see a Monstera with a bunch of stems in one pot, you can split them up with sharp scissors or a knife. Make sure each piece has at least one node and some roots, plant it in damp soil, and keep it warm and humid. Since Monstera Obliqua grows pretty fast, you’ll want to watch your new plants and keep the soil moist. With a bit of patience and love, you’ll have a bunch of new Monsteras before you know it!
Obliqua Monstera Common Pests & Plant Diseases
Watch out for spider mites and mealybugs; these common critters like to mess with Monstera obliqua. Over-watering and too much humidity might cause root rot too. But hey, you can dodge these problems with some TLC for your Obliqua Monstera plants.
To fend off the bugs, make sure your plant gets good air and isn’t too wet. Keep an eye on the leaves for stuff like webbing or white waxy gunk – that’s spider mites or mealybugs. If you find ’em, hit them with insecticidal soap to get your plant back on track.
Monstera Obliqua Care Common Problems
Monstera obliqua is a looker and pretty tough for a tropical plant – a great choice for your home or garden. But you gotta know how to take care of it, or you could run into problems like yellow leaves from too much sun or water, slow growth from not enough light, and brown or crispy leaves if it’s too dry.
To keep your Monstera obliqua happy and healthy, let it soak up some indirect sunlight, water it just enough (but not too much), and keep things humid. Feed the soil every couple of weeks, and your Monstera obliqua will thank you with bright green leaves and a lively show!
FAQ about Monstera Obliqua care
Can monstera obliqua hurt my cat?
Monstera obliqua isn’t poison to cats. But it’s a good idea to keep it away from them and other pets. They might try to chew on the leaves, which can mess with their mouth and tummy. It’s not poison, but it’s not a snack either.
What’s the difference between monstera adansonii and obliqua?
Monstera adansonii is all about big, shiny, heart-shaped leaves with deep cuts, grows slowly, and can get up to three meters tall. Monstera obliqua? It’s a fast climber with smaller oval leaves, dark green with light green wavy edges, no deep cuts like the adansonii. The leaves get up to 20 cm long. They both love bright indirect sunlight, lots of humidity, and regular drinks of water. But the obliqua wants something to climb on, like a trellis, while adansonii stands up by itself.
Why is monstera obliqua so expensive?
Monstera obliqua’s a rare find ’cause it’s not spread out all over, grows kinda slow, and is a tough one to propagate. So, it’s usually more expensive than other Monstera types. Plus, since everyone wants it and there’s not much to go around, sometimes the price gets jacked up or it’s just hard to find. You might even see some sellers asking more for it just ’cause it’s rare and takes time to grow.
What kind of fertilizer to give to monstera obliqua?
For monstera obliqua, go for a balanced liquid fertilizer. Look for one that’s got the right amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K), like a 20-20-20 or 20-20-10 mix. To avoid overdoing it, feed it once a month when it’s growing (spring and summer) and cut the fertilizer down to half strength.
Conclusion
Monstera obliqua’s a real beauty and a standout tropical plant that’d look great in any home or garden. But you’ve gotta know what you’re doing, or you might run into trouble like yellow leaves, slow growing, and brown or crispy leaves. To keep your Monstera obliqua thriving, make sure it’s getting enough indirect sunlight, not too much water, and stays nice and humid. And don’t forget to feed the soil every couple of weeks with that balanced liquid fertilizer. With proper care for Monstera obliqua with FamiPlants, you will be rewarded with lush green foliage and a vibrant display!
With these tips, you’re all set to care for Monstera obliqua. This plant’s ready to liven up your space, so go grab one for yourself!
Happy gardening!
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