Monstera standleyana guide
Monstera standleyana, also called five holes plant, Philodendron 'Cobra', standleyana
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 5 cm (2 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- Average room air is fine. More helps new leaves open.
- Temperature
- 18 to 29°C (65 to 85°F). Keep above 12°C (55°F).
- Soil
- Chunky mix: potting soil, orchid bark, and perlite
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertilizer, monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Mature size
- Vines 1 to 2 m (3 to 6 ft) indoors
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings with a node
- Where to buy
- Plant shops
This page covers what makes monstera standleyana different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the monstera care guide.
What it is
Monstera standleyana is a monstera with solid leaves. They are long, oval, and pointed, with no holes or splits. It is a climbing vine from Central America. Most plants sold are variegated, with white or yellow streaks and speckles. Some stores sell it as Philodendron ‘Cobra’, but it is a monstera.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Monstera standleyana | Solid, long, oval, often streaked | No holes and no splits |
| Swiss cheese vine | Thin, full of holes | Oval holes inside the leaf |
| Satin pothos | Heart-shaped, matte, silver spots | Silver spots, and a heart-shaped base |
Care differences
It grows slower than Swiss cheese vine. It likes something to climb, and leaves get bigger on a pole. The variegated forms need bright indirect light to keep the streaks.
Otherwise, care is close to a regular monstera. Let the top 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) of soil dry between waterings.
Kinds you will see
- ‘Albo Variegata’ has white streaks and speckles.
- ‘Aurea’ has yellow streaks and speckles.
- Plain green standleyana is less common in stores.
Grow it from a cutting
Cut a vine just below a node. Root it in water or moist sphagnum moss. Roots take two to four weeks. Take cuttings from the most variegated stems to keep the pattern.
Pet safety
Like all monsteras, it contains calcium oxalate crystals. It is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
Buying it
Monstera standleyana is sold at plant shops and online, and sometimes at garden centers. The variegated forms cost more. Look for even streaking and firm leaves. Brown, papery white sections point to a plant that dried out.