Philodendron Cobra or Monstera Standleyana is a plant native to America. It has beautiful green-yellow variegated leaves. Under good light conditions, the leaves grow upwards.
If you have previous tropical plant experience then it will be easy for you to grow it. Those who do not have any experience can read my guide and grow it without learning special gardening skills.
Take advantage of my experience with this plant and start growing it today.
Take care of light, water, and type of potting soil for a problem-free growing experience.
About the Plant
This is a climbing plant means it needs some kind of support to grow upwards. The leaves naturally grow upwards. You need to support the plant to encourage upward structural development.
Use a moss pole or any other supporting structure that you have at home.
In its natural home, this plant easily grows 20 feet tall and spread 5 feet. But this growth is not possible in containers.
You need to grow it outdoors to grow it 20 feet tall.
In small size pots, it can grow 1 foot tall and 1 foot wide. Give it proper light and water to grow it 5 to 6 feet tall with the spread of 2 to 3 feet.
If in case, it grows extra tall you can cut the extra growth to keep it in desired shape and size.
Light Needs
In its native place, philodendron cobra gets a limited amount of sunlight. As we all know sunlight is bright for plants. This means you need to give this plant a low amount of bright light.
Indoor plants need a minimum of 5 hours of indirect bright light.
Note: Moderate light exposure is the solution.
The light source can be Sun or man-made artificial grow light. Place it few feet away from the sunny window
Or
Use 300 watts LED grow light. Choose any brand that is popular in your area. Or see our tools section to choose the best Grow light at an affordable price.
Potting Soil
Because it needs less water and less moist soil. You need to use well-draining soil that holds limited moisture.
If you have a regular potting mix then you can add few parts of sand to make it suitable for the cobra philodendron.
Too much moisture is dangerous for Monstera Standleyana. Therefore, normal garden soil is not recommended.
I use cactus potting soil because this soil is perfect for philodendron plants. You do not need to amend it because it already has all the qualities.
To get the best deals on potting soil visit Amazon.
You May Also Like: Philodendron Erubescens Red Emerald Care
Watering
Monstera Standleyana is prone to root rot and leaf fungus disease. Overwatering is the main cause of all the fungal diseases in indoor plants.
A limited amount of water is beneficial for good growth.
The best watering technique is checking the soil before watering the plant. Let the soil dry to few inches before watering. Then use a glass of water and pour it to the base of the plant.
Water your plant deeply and it will take 30 to 40 minutes to drain extra water. Then empty the bottom tray (saucer).
And place it back under the plant pot.
Fertilizing
A little bit of fertilization is necessary to keep it fresh and to promote its good health.
Generally, it needs to be fertilized 4 times in its growing season. But if you use organic slow-releasing fertilizer. Then you only need to boost it twice per growing season.
Because they release nutrients at a slower rate. This way your plant always has a bunch of nutrients.
The first application should be in the early days of spring and the second in the last days of summer or in the first week of fall.
Dilute the liquid properly before pouring it to the base of the plant. This will protect your roots from burning due to excessive fertilization.
Temperature & Humidity
60 F to 80 Degrees F is the recommended temperature range. The temperature outside this range will slow the growth rate.
If it drops below 55 F then the plant roots start freezing and dying slowly.
Do not place it near AC vents, heating vents, and beside doors. The aim is to protect it from sudden hot or cold airflow.
Moderate humidity is all you need to maintain in your home. 40 to 60 % is the moderate range of humidity.
To check the home humidity use hygrometer and to increase it, first use the pebble tray method.
Take a tray and fill it with small pebbles and water. Then put the plant pot over it. Make sure the water level of the tray does not touch the bottom of the pot.
The second option is the use of a humidifier. If you do not have a humidifier at home then only buy a plant humidifier.
They are less costly than the room humidifiers and consume less water and electricity.
Repotting
The first Repotting is required after 2 years and the second is required after 5 years. Because it takes 5 years to get fully matured. After that, no repottings are required.
Roughly it will take 3 repottings in its life including initial repotting when you just bring it at home.
While repotting you should also remove the damaged roots and old dead leaves.
Change the soil every time you need to repot it.
Use 2 inches deep and 4 inches wide pot to Up Pot philodendron cobra. Terracotta pots are best for growing philodendron varieties.
Propagating Philodendron Cobra
The first Repotting is required after 2 years and the second is required after 5 years. Because it takes 5 years to get fully matured. After that, no repottings are required.
Roughly it will take 3 repottings in its life including initial repotting when you just bring it at home.
While repotting you should also remove the damaged roots and old dead leaves.
Change the soil every time you need to repot it.
Use 2 inches deep and 4 inches wide pot to Up Pot philodendron cobra. Terracotta pots are best for growing philodendron varieties.
Conclusion
The first thing you need is to support the plant to make it grow upwards. Then take care of the water and temperature to encourage problem-free growth.
Change the soil every time you shift it to the bigger pot. A draining hole is a must in its container.
Overwatering is the main enemy of the plant because it is prone to root rot and leaf rot. Control the water and your place will never face fungus diseases.
