How to Grow and Care For Monstera Dubia
Monstera dubia is characterized by its thin heart-shaped leaves that shingle closely to the host surface. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about proper Monstera dubia care.
Vera Kutsenko
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The Monstera genus includes over 40 different species of philodendron plants. Over the recent years, Monsteras have become a popular houseplant with plant enthusiasts everywhere. If youâre seeking more unique, lesser-known varieties of Monstera, look no further than the Monstera dubia (also known as the Shingle plant).
Mosteras are aroid tropical plants that are generally easy to care for, although the shingle plant is more fragile than its sisters.Â
If youâre keen to explore other Monstera varieties for your houseplant collection, they include Monstera Adansonii, Monstera Deliciosa, Monstera Albo Borsigiana, Monstera Standleyana, Monstera Pinnatipartita, etc.Â
What is a Monstera Dubia?
Monstera Dubia is a unique variety of Monstera species native to Central America and South America. This beautiful plant is known for its intricate foliage as it matures.
As the shingle plant grows from a young seedling to a mature plant, the thin heart-shaped leaves shingle closely to the host surface (trees in its native environment).Â
Unlike other Monstera varieties, Monstera dubia does not produce fenestrations in its leaves. However, the juvenile plantâs leaves produce beautiful variegation patterns of dark green veining with pale green, almost silver-green leaf coloration.
Fun fact about Dubia name
The reason why this species is named Dubia is because the founders didnât know which genus this plant fell into! Therefore, they gave it the name Dubia meaning dubious⌠plant folks are a creative bunch. ;)Â
This is an unusual variety and can be considered rare, but recently has become more accessible price and supply-wise.Â
Given their vining growth habit, similar to Monstera Adansonii, the Monstera dubia is a great option for hanging baskets or training up moss poles or trellis. Be aware though, that, unlike other Monsteras, Monstera Dubia exhibits slow growth.
Dubia is a fairly compact plant growing a maximum of 3 to 6 feet in length over many years. Theyâre a great option for smaller spaces, shelves, and office desks.
Dubia is a fairly compact plant growing a maximum of 3 to 6 feet in length over many years. Theyâre a great option for smaller spaces, shelves, and office desks.
These rare monsteras grow best in bright, indirect light and moderately moist soil paired with warm temperatures and high humidity.Â
In this guide, weâll cover how you can purchase and care for a Monstera Dubia as well as how to propagate through stem cuttings.
Is Monstera Dubia expensive?
Although itsâ considered a rare and unusual plant variety, you can find accessible priced Monstera dubias today. Younger plants will range from $30-$70 dollars which is a steal compared to really expensive rare plants like the Thai Constellation Monstera.
Monstera Dubia Plant CARE GUIDE
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
Family |
Difficulty |
Plant Type |
Growth Rate |
Fertilizer |
Sun Exposure |
Water |
Soil Type |
Soil Ph |
Propagate |
Window Locations (Ideal) |
USDA Hardiness Zones |
Companion Plants |
Toxicity |
Troubleshooting |
Prices |
Where to Buy |
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How to Care For Monstera Dubia
Image Source:Photo by NNehring on Getty ImagesClose up of shingle plant, Monstera dubia, growing flat against a wall as is typical during its juvenile stage.
If youâve happened to get your hands on this rare monstera, youâll want to be careful with how you care for them. Just like other tropical plants, Monstera Dubia prefers high humidity and warm temperatures.
Itâs best to place this beauty near a source of bright indirect light for 4-6+ hours and make sure you keep its soil moderately moist. Youâll want to allow the soil to dry out a few inches in between waterings.
As long as you follow a proper watering schedule and provide your dubia plant enough light, youâll have a thriving, lush vine in no time.
As long as you follow a proper watering schedule and provide your dubia plant enough light, youâll have a thriving, lush vine in no time.
In this guide, weâll cover plant care for your Monstera Dubia from proper watering needs to light requirements, and lastly how you can properly propagate your tropical plant.
đ§ Water
Like most aroids, youâll want to keep your Monster dubiaâs soil generally moist, but not soggy. Youâll want to let the few inches of soil dry in between waterings. Monstera dubia, unlike other monsteras, can tolerate drier soils. You can get away with letting all the soil dry during the dormant months in the winter.
During its growing season from Spring to Summer, youâll find yourself watering more often to support its growth. Keep in mind that your region and weather conditions play a part in your plantâs watering frequency. Dryer regions will require higher watering frequencies.
During the growing season, we recommend watering roughly 1-2 times a week. During the dormant season, you can decrease your watering frequency to 1-2 times bi-weekly.
If your monstera dubia leaves are turning yellow, it may be a sign of overwatering especially if youâve noticed that your soil has been consistently soggy.
If youâre starting to see brown or crispy leaves, this is a sign that your Monstera Dubia isnât receiving enough water or its getting too much direct sunlight. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
If youâre starting to see brown or crispy leaves, this is a sign that your Monstera Dubia isnât receiving enough water or its getting too much direct sunlight. Adjust your watering schedule accordingly.
We donât generally recommend misting unless you are located in an arid region where misting is a must to mimic natural jungle climates.
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How often should I water my Monstera Dubia?
Like most tropical aroids, youâll want to keep its soil moderately moist only allowing top few inches to dry in between waterings. Never let your soil become soggy for a long period of time which can lead to root rot. As a general rule of thumb, consider watering your Monster dubia once or twice a week during its growing season in spring and summer. Slow down to once every two weeks during the dormant season.
Should I mist my Monstera Dubia?
If you live in an arid region, we recommend misting to mimic a tropical environment. However, you can safely grow you shingle plant without regular misting. Moisture buildup can cause issues like fungal diseases if not managed carefully.
How do I know my Monstera Dubia needs watering?
If your Monstera Dubia is drooping or curling its leaves, itâs likely a sign that it needs more water. If your monstera leaves are turning crispy brown, itâs thirsty!
âď¸ Sunlight
In its natural habitat, Monstera Dubia grows under the dappled light of jungle canopies. To mimic this indoors, we recommend you place your plant in a source of bright, indirect light for 4-6 hours a day.
Growing indoors, we recommend a few feet away from a South-facing window or near a west or east facing window for best results. If you donât have enough sunlight, consider investing in a grow light (especially for your expensive rare varieties!).Â
Growing indoors, we recommend a few feet away from a South-facing window or near a west or east facing window for best results. If you donât have enough sunlight, consider investing in a grow light (especially for your expensive rare varieties!).Â
If youâre starting to see your leaves turn crispy, this could be a sign of overexposure to direct sunlight. Move your Monstera Dubia away from a direct light source into a partially shaded area to help recovery.
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đĄď¸ Temperature and Humidity
Monstera Dubia thrives in warm temperatures and high humidity environments. Most ideal room temperatures will work, but make sure the temperatures donât drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for too long. If youâre growing your plant outdoors, bring it indoors during the cooler months.
Make sure to avoid cold or hot air drafts and donât place your shingle plant near air conditioners, heat vents, or exterior doors and windows.Â
If your space is dry, we recommend you invest into a small humidifier or group your houseplants together to encourage humidity. You can also place a pebble tray filled with water near your plant.
đą Best Soil for Monstera Dubia
Monstera Dubia is an aroid that requires a well-draining, organically rich potting mix. If youâre able to get your hands on a specialty aroid mix, we recommend you do so.Â
Commercial houseplant potting mix will work as well, but we recommend supplementing with peat moss or coco coir for moisture retention and perlite for extra drainage support.Â
Peat moss and coco coir will help retain moisture without compressing the soil and perlite will help add space to your soil to help with draining out excess water and moisture.
đť Fertilizer
Monstera Dubia can do well with a regular feeding. During the growing seasons in Spring and Summer, we recommend using a half-diluted liquid, slow-release houseplant fertilizer once a month.Â
During the dormant months, reduce the frequency to once every 2-4 months.
â˘ď¸ Toxicity
Like other monstera plants, Monstera Dubia is toxic to pets (dogs and cats). We recommend you keep your furry friends away from this plant!
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How to Propagate Monstera Dubia From Stem Cuttings
Image Source:Photo by Jobrestful on Getty ImagesA monstera Dubia stem cutting propagated in pot
The easiest way to propagate your Monstera Dubia is through stem cuttings similar to other tropical plants like neon pothos and philodendrons. As long as you have access to either water, soil, peat moss, or LECA, you can have a new Monstera Dubia in no time.
Proper propagation will ensure that youâre able to have a healthy new Monstera Dubia in no time.
Monstera Dubia propagation step-by-step:
- Step 1: Prepare a new container, gloves, sterilized shears and soil, peat moss, or leca depending on your medium of choice.
- Step 2: Take your mother shingle plant and find a stem that has at least 1-3 nodes (where leaves attach to the stem and aerial roots will appear).Â
- Step 3: Use your sterilized shears to cut off a section of the stem including those nodes
- Step 4: Place your new cutting into rooting hormone if you have access to some
- Step 5: Place the cuttings with nodes down in water, soil, or growing medium and keep in a warm, sunny spot. Make sure to keep it consistently moist.
- Step 6: Itâll take a couple of weeks for your stem cuttings to root. After which, you can transplant into a new container.
- Step 7: Transplant your new young plant into a separate container and keep it in a place with bright light. Water regularly to encourage growth and keep humidity high by misting or investing in a small humidifier.
How to Repot Monstera Dubia
Image Source:Photo by Wikimedia CommonsA Monstera Dubia or Shingle plant in the wild
Monstera Dubia is a very slow-growing plant, so youâll likely need to repot it every 2-3 years. Youâll know you need to repot your dubia plant if you start to see roots coming out of the drainage hole of your pot.
To repot your dubia:
- Step 1: Prepare gloves, a container 2â larger in size to allow room for root growth, well-draining soil mix
- Step 2: Gently remove your dubia from its container and ruffle away remaining soil
- Step 3: Inspect the roots for signs of root rot. If you see mushy or brown roots use sterilized shears to cut them away
- Step 4: Prepare your new container and fill with soil â of the way through.
- Step 5: Place your plant into the new container and backfill with soil
- Step 6: Water thoroughly and follow proper care instructions.
Common Monstera Dubia Disease
Image Source:Photo by Wikimedia CommonsLike all monsteras, monstera dubia likes to climb
Like other arid plants, Monstera dubia can be susceptible to common issues and pests. With improper watering schedule and lack of light, your Monstera can become infested with spider mites, fungus gnats, or experience fungal diseases like root rot.
Root Rot
If this is your first time experiencing root rot, read our full guide on root rot.
Root rot is a common issue with most houseplants including Monstera Dubia. Itâs usually caused by moist or waterlogged soil for prolonged periods of time. Symptoms can include rapidly yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and a rotten brown base. If youâre seeing these symptoms, hereâs how to treat root rot.
- Remove the plant from the pot and gently remove the soil so you can see the root system.
- If the roots are brown and mushy, you must take action immediately.
- Clean off the roots with sterile water.
- Take sterilized scissors and trim any mushy roots.
- You can use a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution to disinfect the roots.
- Once cleaned up, repot your plant in fresh houseplant soil mix.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are ectoparasitic arthropods that feed on plants. They prefer hot weather along with dry conditions, and they feed on a wide range of plants. Spider mites can be red, yellow or orange, depending on species. They are tiny, but they can be seen with the naked eye.
Spider mites attack plants through their leaves, sucking the nutrients out of them. They leave stalks behind as they feed. While feeding, spider mites create webbing, and drain the life from plants causing leaves on infested plants to turn yellow and brown. They can cover and kill an entire plant within a week or two if left uncontrolled in your garden.
If this is your first time managing spider mites, read our in-depth guide on how to get rid of spider mites on indoor plants.
How to spot a spider mite infestation on my Monstera Dubia?
Spider mite damage is different from that of cutting insects. There wonât be a hole in a leaf, but rather large discolored areas made up of tiny dots or stippling. You may notice that your plant leaves are covered in a web-like substance as previously stated or you may notice small specks on the leaves, or if the infestation has gone further you might see leaves or whole portions of your plant start to curl and wither.
đ Monstera Dubia Care Tips
If youâre breaking down a difficult concept or task, some readers may still feel overwhelmed and unsure of their ability to tackle it. Break down a few suggestions on how to best approach the concept, and/or a few reminders about it. This is not a list post, so keep this short list to three to five pieces of advice.Â
- Keep your Monstera Dubia in a warm environment with high humidity
- Monstera Dubia needs bright, indirect light for 4-6 hours a day. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Plant your Monstera Dubia in well-draining soil such as an aroid potting mix
- Propagate your Monster dubia via stem cuttings or stolons
Keep your Monstera Dubia away from pets! Itâs toxic to cats and dogs.
Where to buy Monstera Dubia?
If youâre looking to add a plant to your rare plant collection, consider checking out our selection of rare tropical plants like Monstera Dubia here. We work with independent merchants and growers across the USA to provide you with the bestÂ
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