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Monstera obliqua

If you’ve already got a Monstera Deliciosa and a Monstera Adansonii, it might be time to consider adding the rare Monstera obliqua to your houseplant collection!

Monstera obliqua is a rare plant in the Araceae (Arum/Aroid) family known for its lace-like perforated foliage. The long pointed leaves have large holes in them with “more holes than leaf”. While similar to the more widespread Monstera adansonii, Monstera obliqua has even more holes in the foliage.

Monstera obliqua is native to tropical regions in Central America and South America where it grows as a hemiepiphytic plant, germinating in the canopy and sending down roots to the ground. Cuttings of this plant can retail for $400-$500 each!

So, if you’re interested in how to care for a Monstera obliqua Plant, keep reading! This article will cover the basic care of Monstera obliqua so that you can successfully care for one!

Monstera obliqua

Monstera obliqua basics

Monstera Obliqua is an ultra-rare, costly Monstera variety that looks quite similar to Monstera Adansonii. Also known as the “Window Leaf Plant,” Monstera Obliqua has delicate, supple leaves with more holes than foliage. In addition, this plant is high-maintenance and should only be tackled by experienced gardeners.

Buying Monstera obliqua plants

Unlike most other houseplants, you can’t find this plant at any old garden or home store. In fact, this plant is so rare that you have to find a private grower, or plant collector, or get it off marketplace sites like eBay or Etsy. So, if you think you’ve found an amazing deal on an ultra-rare Monstera Obliqua, think again. It’s most likely Monstera Adasonii (and you’re overpaying for it).

Monstera obliqua plant care guide

Monstera obliqua plant care guide

Monstera obliqua is one of the more difficult houseplants to care for due to its high humidity requirements. It makes sense to practice with a Monstera adansonii plant first before investing in this more expensive houseplant. Also, keep in mind that the leaves on young plants may not develop the large fenestrations seen on more established plants.

Watering Monstera obliqua

Water your plant when the top inch of the soil starts to dry out. You only need to water Monstera Obliqua Plants once or twice a week during the spring, summer, and fall when the plant is most actively growing. During the winter, you can water less frequently, like every one to two weeks.

If you’re unsure whether to water your plant or not, take a look at its leaves. Your plant’s leaves will look dehydrated and brownish-yellow if they need water and darken when they are overwatered. Since Monstera Obliqua has thin, delicate leaves, it’s crucial that you don’t forget to water this plant, or its leaves can crumble quickly.

Monstera obliqua

Light requirements for Monstera obliqua

Monstera Obliqua thrives in bright, indirect light. However, too much shade causes the plant to wilt, and direct sunlight causes foliage to burn. So, it’s essential to monitor the sunlight levels in your home so that your plant gets enough adequate light without burning.

Fertilizer for Monstera obliqua

Monstera Obliqua plants should be fed regularly during the growing season (spring-fall). In the winter, decrease the amount of fertilizer to half as much as usual. The best fertilizer for this plant is an organic slow-release fertilizer. There are both dry granular fertilizers and liquid concentrates available.

Humidity & temperature for Monstera obliqua

If you thought regular Monstera Plants needed a lot of humidity, you’d be amazed at how much more humidity this plant requires. Since Monstera Obliqua is so delicate and supple, requires near-constant humidity. So, if you live in a tropical climate and don’t use A/C or heat, this plant is perfect for you! Otherwise, plan on purchasing a humidifier that provides constant humidity levels over 60% at minimum for this specialty plant (or keep it in a glass case at 80% humidity).

As for temperature levels, this plant is a tropical plant and needs at least 75-80ºF to thrive. If you don’t keep your home that warm, you may want to invest in a terrarium to ensure your plant is kept warm. 

Monstera obliqua

Repotting Monstera obliqua

Monstera Obliqua grows extremely slowly and only needs to be repotted every few years or so. You can tell it’s time to repot your plant when you can see roots coming out from the bottom of the pot. This is known as root bound.

In addition, the soil may not drain as well as it used to, meaning it’s time to repot your plant. Lastly, if your plant looks like it’s growing out of its pot, it’s time to repot your plant into a bigger pot. To ensure you don’t damage your plant when repotting, only repot during the spring or summer when the plant is most actively growing. 

Potting soil for Monstera obliqua

Monstera Obliqua needs a special, high-quality potting mix for it to thrive. If you purchase your plant from a private grower or collector, ask them what potting soil combination they use. A unique combination will serve your plant better than a commercial potting mix. 

The most common potting soil combination for Monstera Obliqua is peat-based soil mixed with perlite to break up the soil. This plant also needs organic fibers to provide nutrients to the roots without compacting the soil, such as coco coir. Many gardeners use coco coir for its moisture and nutrient-retaining abilities and its well-draining properties. Lastly, the soil’s pH should stay around 5-7 for optimal results. You can purchase a pH tester to check the soil’s pH levels for accuracy.

Planter pots for Monstera obliqua

Since Monstera Obliqua has extremely strong roots, it’s best to avoid plastic pots because the roots can break through the pot. In addition, you want a pot that’s big enough so that your plant isn’t suffocated. You can use clay terracotta pots for Monstera Obliqua because they wick away moisture and can help prevent the roots from developing root rot. 

Here is a detailed guide to repotting Monstera plants.

Monstera obliqua leaf

Propagating Monstera obliqua

Monstera Obliqua is easy to propagate with stem cuttings and air layering. Here is an in-depth guide about how to propagate Monstera plants.

Common pests affecting Monstera obliqua houseplants

Some common pests affecting Monstera Obliqua are spider mites, scale, whitefly, and thrips. These pests attack the plant by sucking the juices from the plant’s leaves. However, you can easily prevent these pests by properly caring for your plant. 

If your plant already has an infestation of one of these pests, quarantine your plant, so the pests don’t spread to your other plants. Then, use a gentle organic insecticide spray to eradicate the pests. Most organic sprays can be reapplied regularly to ensure the eradication of pests.

Monstera obliqua plant - rare houseplant

Common diseases affecting Monstera obliqua

Like many other plants, Monster Obliqua can develop root rot. Root rot is caused by overwatering your plant along with placing your plant in a poorly draining pot. To prevent root rot, make sure you only water your plant when the top layer of soil becomes dry. In addition, make sure you put your plant in a well-draining pot so that water doesn’t sit in the soil and deteriorate the roots. 

Monstera obliqua
Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a quintessential Canadian gardener. An engineer by trade, she tends to an ever-expanding collection of plants. In her world, laughter blooms as freely as her flowers, and every plant is raised with a dash of Canadian grit.

Mary Jane is a certified Master Gardener and also holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. She's also a proud mom of three, teaching her little sprouts the crucial difference between a garden friend and foe.

When she's not playing in the dirt, Mary Jane revels in her love for Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, ice hockey, and the surprisingly soothing sounds of bluegrass covers of classic hip-hop songs. She invites you to join her garden party, a place where you can share in the joy of growing and where every day is a new opportunity to find the perfect spot for yet another plant.

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