This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of RewardStyle, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please visit our privacy policy for details.
Monstera Dubia is a tropical plant native to Central America and Mexico. In short, this monstera variety likes humidity and mild temperatures but it does require good care to thrive. However, if you follow these care guidelines it will reward you with its beauty for many years to come.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to take care of your Monstera Dubia so that it grows healthy and strong!
Monstera Dubia Soil Needs
Simply speaking, Monstera Dubia needs soil that is high in organic matter and that drains well.
Well-draining soil is important because soggy soil is no better than overwatering, and that might cause the roots to start rotting over time.
You can always purchase some good soil, but if you want to make it yourself, it is fairly simple. Just mix equal parts of perlite or sand, orchid bark, and peat-moss.
The soil should be slightly acidic and rich in organic matter, which is common for tropical plants.
Don’t have one?? You can buy your Monstera Dubia HERE.
Monstera Dubia Light
This plant also likes bright light without too much direct sunlight.
Direct light can be very intense and may burn your plant, so it is important to find a nice spot for this tropical beauty that offers plenty of indirect sunlight (for example by the east or north-facing window, or a window with curtains).
On the other hand, if there is no light, the plant won’t be able to do the photosynthesis, and therefore feed.
Don’t forget to rotate the pot once every few weeks so all sides get enough light.
Monstera Dubia Watering
When it comes to watering, you want the soil damp but not soggy.
If this plant is in a dry environment or gets too much sunlight (which causes dehydration), its leaves will start turning yellow and falling off.
On the other hand, if you give it too much water, the roots won’t be able to breathe, causing them to start rotting.
The simplest way to determine when your Monstera Dubia needs watering is to stick your finger in the soil about 2 inches deep, and if you feel that the soil is still wet, give it some more time to dry properly.
Monstera Dubia Temperature
Monstera Dubia, just like other Monstera varieties, is a tropical plant, which means that it doesn’t really like or tolerate cold temperatures.
The best temperature for this plant would be between 15 and 25 degrees C, but letting the temperature drop below 15 may cause your plant to stop growing.
Of course, freezing temperatures are out of the question!
Monstera Dubia Humidity
On top of moderate temperature conditions, Monstera Dubias also require humidity levels between 50-80%.
So what do you need to do? You can place some potted plants near them so they create their own microclimate together. On top of being useful, this will give your living space the real jungle vibe.
Another option is to use pebble trays since they help maintain humidity levels. Simply fill a tray with pebbles, pour water in it, and put the pot with your plant on top. When the water evaporates, it goes straight to the plant.
Monstera Dubia Fertilizer
The Monstera plant is very sensitive to over-fertilizing and therefore should only be fertilized once a month during the growing season (spring and summer).
Use slow-release fertilizer pellets that you can find at any local garden store.
Moreover, make sure not to use fertilizers with high concentrations of nitrogen because it will cause the leaves of your Dubia to grow yellow or brown spots, which are signs of nutrient burn.
Instead, opt for something like 20-20-20 NPK ratio fertilizer but without potassium nitrate (KNO?), which causes this kind of burn as well.
Remember: moderation is the key!
Monstera Dubia Propagation
Monstera Dubia propagation is not difficult at all even though it might seem so at times.
All you need to do is take a branch with at least two or three leaves and carefully remove all the lower leaves (the ones without any green). Then put it in some moist soil, water it regularly but don’t overwater it, and that’s it.
It should start growing roots within one month (sometimes even less), after which point you can cut off that part of the stem that doesn’t have healthy white roots coming out of them. The rest will eventually fall off on its own as this new plant develops its own root system!
Common Monstera Dubia Problems
It is important to distinguish between common Monstera Dubia problems that are not that harmful to your plant and the dangerous ones.
Yellowing Leaves
There are two main reasons for a plant’s leaves starting to go yellow: overwatering or insufficient nutrients.
If you think that you’re overwatering, please go back and read how to determine if your plants need watering.
If it’s nutrient deficiency, you should start fertilizing your Monstera more. However, that doesn’t mean drowning it in fertilizer!
It would be best to choose organic fertilizer and always pay attention that you pick the one for indoor plants. Believe it or not, it is a pretty common mistake.
Wilting Leaves
Wilting leaves are almost 100% of the time connected to under-watering.
This means that the plant is going dehydrated and that it has no energy to hold its beautiful leaves upright. Again, go up and read more on watering.
In most cases, you would have to water your Monstera once per week to once in 10 days.
Brown Spots on Leaves
Brown spots mean root rot caused by overwatering.
If this happens, you have to repot now.
Take your plant out of its pot and check the roots. Remove everything that looks sick, all brown, gray, and black roots.
If there are still healthy roots – perfect, if not, your only chance is to try and propagate.
Cut a healthy branch and put it in fresh soil or water and hope for the best.
Final Word
Monstera Dubias are a low-maintenance plant, but they still need some care.
We hope that this Monstera Dubia Care Guide taught you how to keep your plants happy and healthy while avoiding common problems that might arise with these beautiful plants.