Flaunt your green thumb with the unique, variegated foliage of the Monstera Cobra and infuse your home with its tropical flair!
Native to the tropical rainforests of Central America, Monstera Cobra is prized for its unique foliage that does not comply with the typical Monsteras. If you are looking for a distinct addition to your green buddies, this Monstera standleyana Albo Care Guide is just for you!
- Botanical Name: Monstera standleyana ‘Albo Variegata’
- Popular as—Five Holes Plant, Philodendron standleyana Cobra, Philodendron Cobra
- Attains a height of 2-5 feet indoors
- Loves bright, indirect light
- Thrives in a temperature range of 65°F to 85°F or 18 to 29 ºC
- Toxic to humans and pets
Look at the Most Stunning Monstera Varieties here
What is Monstera Cobra Plant?
Member of the Araceae family, Monstera standleyana ‘Albo Variegata’ is a stunning houseplant featuring elongated, lanceolate leaves splashed with unique, irregular white or cream variegation, creating an elegant contrast against the deep green foliage. The leathery texture and the dense growth give this vining plant a full, shrubby appearance that makes a statement in pots with a trellis or moss pole.
Something that makes the plant stand out from the queue is the lack of fenestrations—a typical trait of Monsteras. With a decent height of 2-5 feet indoors, the plant counts among potent air-purifying houseplants. However, the genus contains calcium oxalate crystals in its leaves, so you got to keep your curious, furry friends away from munching on its attractive foliage.
Monstera standleyana Albo vs Aurea
Cultivars of the same genus, Monstera standleyana Albo, and Monstera standleyana Aurea differ in terms of their foliage show. The former features elongated, lance-shaped leaves, while the latter produces typical heart-shaped foliage. Also, the Aurea cultivar exhibits leaf fenestrations, unlike Monstera Cobra.
Another factor that differentiates the two is their respective colorations—Monstera standleyana Albo Variegata boasts white or cream-colored variegation, while Aurea exhibits hues of yellow or gold.
Both varieties require similar care requirements; however, due to their variegation, they may be more susceptible to sunburn and typically grow at a slower pace than their non-variegated counterparts.
Ideal Pot Size
The ideal pot for Monstera cobra should be slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. This will prevent overwatering and ensure the plant’s roots are snugly in the soil. A 4-6 inches pot with ample drainage holes is good for a young plant. However, you may need to repot it to a bigger size when you see the plant outgrowing the container.
Clay pots are an excellent choice as they are porous and aid drainage. Colorful ceramics with 2-3 holes at the bottom will also pair well with the aesthetics of the plant.
Monstera Cobra Plant Propagation
Monstera Cobra can be propagated through stem cuttings and air layering. Get a healthy, disease-free parent plant, sterile clipper, and good quality potting mix to start the process:
Stem Cuttings:
- Select a healthy, robust stem and make a cut just below a leaf node using sterile clippers. The cutting must be at least 4-6 inches long.
- Let the stem callous over at a clean, dry spot.
- Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to boost the chances of propagation.
- Fill a pot with a well-draining potting mix and plant the cutting into it, ensuring the node is buried.
- Keep it in a warm, humid location, and moisten the medium gently.
You’ll notice new growth in a couple of weeks.
Air Layering:
- Start by making a small cut in a healthy stem of the parent plant.
- Wrap it with moist sphagnum moss.
- Cover the moss with plastic wrap to create a humid environment.
- Over time, roots will begin to grow from the cut area in a few weeks.
- Once the roots are a few inches long, you can separate the new plant from the parent plant and transplant it into a pot.
You may now provide the plant with its optimal conditions.
Monstera Cobra Plant Care
Light
Monstera cobra prefers bright, indirect sunlight in order to thrive best. Too much direct sunlight will scorch the leaves, while an absolute shade will affect its variegation. Place your plant near a north or east-facing window where it can receive bright but filtered light throughout the day with a few hours of the mild morning sun.
Soil
With a tropical native, the aroid will thrive in a mixture of perlite, peat moss, or coco coir, and orchid bark that will retain some moisture without turning soggy. You can also opt for a pre-made houseplant mix amended with a fistful of perlite or coarse sand.
Do not use clayey or contaminated medium as that will suffocate the roots, thus killing the plant.
Water
Monstera cobra prefers an evenly moist medium that doesn’t soak wet. To maintain the same, saturate the medium thoroughly until the excess water drains out of the bottom holes. Let the top two inches dry out a little before repeating the process.
This will cut down the chances of overwatering and maintain the right moisture balance.
Temperature and Humidity
A temperature range of 65°F to 85°F or 18 to 29 ºC will allow the plant to thrive. Temperatures below 50 °F or 10 ºC will lead to cold stress. Keep heat lamps or indoor greenhouses handy to fight the extremes.
Monstera cobra loves high humidity, ideally a range of 60-80%, and requires a minimum of 50% to maintain its vibrancy and luster. Mist the plants regularly with tepid water, place a pebble tray, or use a humidifier to boost moisture on dry days.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your Monstera cobra every 4-6 weeks using a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half its strength during the growing season of spring and summer. Ensure to dilute the feed as excess fertilizer will lead to salt accumulation in the medium, thus affecting plant growth.
Also, keep from feeding the plant during its dormancy in winter, as that will stunt its growth.
Major Troubleshooting Tips
- Wilted or Yellow Leaves: Primarily a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Keep an eye on the top layer of the soil and do the needful.
- Curling or Crispy Leaves: This can be a sign of low humidity or too much direct sunlight. Move the plant to a shaded location and boost humidity using humidifiers or place a pebble tray near the plants.
- Leggy or Sparse Growth: Leggy growth of this plant can cause due to insufficient light. Move the plant to a brighter location or supplement it with artificial lighting.
- Pests: Common pests include spider mites and mealybugs. Remove any affected leaves and treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray.
- Fading Variegation: Insufficient light may cause the variegation to fade. Move your plant to a location with brighter indirect light to maintain its vibrant colors.
Where to Buy Monstera Cobra
Local garden centers and plant nurseries are the most viable option when it comes to acquiring a Monstera Cobra, as they often carry a range of Monstera varieties. Alternatively, specialized plant shops focusing on exotic and rare plants may have a higher likelihood of stocking the plant.
Online platforms such as Etsy, eBay, and dedicated plant retailers offer a wider selection and the convenience of home delivery. Social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace and plant community forums can also be a treasure trove for finding Monstera Cobra for Sale.
When purchasing online, make sure to check the seller’s reviews and reputation to ensure a healthy, high-quality plant.
