How to Grow and Care for Monstera Standleyana Aurea
Learn the conditions required to grow Monstera Standleyana Aurea, focusing on how to sustain its golden variegation and encourage mature, climbing growth.
Learn the conditions required to grow Monstera Standleyana Aurea, focusing on how to sustain its golden variegation and encourage mature, climbing growth.
The Monstera standleyana Aurea is a sought-after tropical plant known for its vining, climbing growth and distinctive foliage. Its elongated, dark green leaves are decorated with yellow variegation, making it a visually striking addition to any indoor plant collection.
The most defining characteristic of the Monstera standleyana Aurea is its variegation. The dark green, glossy leaves feature splashes, speckles, and sometimes large blocks of golden-yellow. Each new leaf presents a different pattern, and this coloration gives the plant its name, with ‘Aurea’ referring to the golden hues.
It is important to distinguish the ‘Aurea’ from its close relative, the Monstera standleyana ‘Albo’. While ‘Aurea’ showcases shades of yellow and gold, ‘Albo’ is characterized by its white variegation. Both are forms of Monstera standleyana, but the ‘Aurea’ is often considered rarer. Unlike some other Monstera species, the standleyana’s leaves do not develop fenestrations, or splits, as they mature.
Proper lighting helps maintain the yellow variegation of the Monstera standleyana Aurea. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light, such as from an east-facing window that provides gentle morning sun. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves, while insufficient light can cause the yellow patterns to fade or revert to green.
This plant appreciates consistent moisture, but overwatering is a significant risk. Allow the top one to two inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Water thoroughly until it escapes the drainage holes, and discard any excess from the saucer to prevent the waterlogging that leads to root rot.
A well-draining, chunky potting mix supports healthy root development. An aroid mix containing ingredients like orchid bark, perlite, and peat moss provides the aeration and drainage this climbing plant needs. This type of mix mimics the plant’s natural growing conditions on trees.
As a tropical plant, the Monstera standleyana Aurea appreciates high humidity above 60%, but it can tolerate average household levels. To increase humidity, you can group plants together, use a pebble tray, or place a humidifier nearby. The plant prefers temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C) and should be protected from cold drafts.
During the spring and summer growing seasons, feeding supports robust growth. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, about once a month. Reduce feeding during the fall and winter when growth slows to prevent the buildup of excess salts in the soil.
Providing a form of support encourages mature growth. Adding a moss pole or wooden trellis gives the aerial roots something to attach to, which can stimulate the development of larger leaves. Keeping the moss pole moist will further encourage the aerial roots to anchor themselves.
Propagating this plant is best done with stem cuttings during the spring or summer. Identify a healthy vine and locate a node, which are the small bumps on the stem where new leaves and roots emerge. Use a clean, sharp blade to make a cut just below a node, ensuring your cutting has at least one leaf and a node.
Cuttings can be rooted in several ways. A common method is placing the cutting in a jar of water; ensure no leaves are submerged and change the water weekly. Alternatively, place the cutting in moist sphagnum moss or perlite. Keep the medium moist in a warm, bright location. Once roots are an inch or two long, the new plant can be potted in an aroid mix.
A common concern is the loss of variegation, known as reversion, which often occurs when the plant does not receive enough light. If new leaves emerge with less yellow, move the plant to a brighter location. Pruning off reverted, all-green sections can encourage new variegated growth from a dormant node.
This Monstera can be susceptible to pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips. Regularly inspect the leaves, especially the undersides, to catch an infestation early. Pests can be treated by washing the leaves or using an insecticidal soap. Yellowing leaves can be a sign of overwatering, while brown, crispy leaf tips often point to low humidity or inconsistent watering.