Behind the Hype: Monstera obliqua Review🌿🔥 | Growing the Unicorn Plant: 1-Year Journey🦄🌿

Welcome to my deep-dive review of the Monstera Obliqua 'Peru' after one whole year of caring for this incredibly rare houseplant! Known as a unicorn in the plant community, I'll walk you through its growth, propagation ease, availability, pest issues, care accessories, and my very personal, no-holds-barred final thoughts on this elusive green beauty.
This plant has been a journey, and I'm sharing everything I've learned to help you decide if this is the right rare plant to add to your collection or if it’s all just hype. Whether you're a passionate houseplant enthusiast, a rare tropical plant collector, or just curious about the Monstera obliqua 'Peru', this video will provide you with valuable insights.
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For more day-to-day updates and behind-the-scenes peeks, check out my Instagram: trojanking9. Happy planting!
#MonsteraObliqua #RarePlantReview #HouseplantJourney #PlantCare #UnicornPlants #houseplantygoodness
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
04:16 Background
08:20 Speed of Growth
11:19 Ease of Propagation
15:48 Availability
20:51 Pests
22:16 Accessories
27:31 Final Thoughts
Merch store: houseplanty-go...
If you would like to support the channel you can buy me a coffee at: ko-fi.com/hous...
Check out the products I love, for my soil mix, pest control , accessories and grow lights:
Grow Lights Affordable Grow Light: amzn.to/3E94RGJ
My Strongest (still affordable) Grow Light: amzn.to/3tmI2ur
Pest Control Mealy Bug Predators: amzn.to/3wyHDG5
Spider Mite Predators: amzn.to/3um56Zu
Neem Oil: amzn.to/3hQSAyL
Systemic Pest Control (Chemical): amzn.to/34ekInk
My Soil Mix ingredients
Coco Coir: amzn.to/3omzIbU
Orchid Bark: amzn.to/3byArBJ
Perlite: amzn.to/2RrN2zL
Activated Charcoal: amzn.to/3tMZur2
Worm Castings: amzn.to/3eOItbM
Mycorrhizal Fungi: amzn.to/3olNaNn
Slow Release Fertiliser: amzn.to/3oorYGk
Liquid Gold Leaf Fertiliser: www.liquidgold...
Growing accessories
Heat Mat and Thermostat for fast propagation: amzn.to/3mAFyaC
Levoit Humidifier: amzn.to/3CIqTQm
Janky Support Sticks: amzn.to/3mDLX4F
Plant Velco: amzn.to/3nTHnP5
Cork Tiles for using as growing planks instead of moss poles: amzn.to/3bBLmKs
Plant Care Reminder App (currently only on Android I think) tinyurl.com/y2...
Some of my Favourite UK Based Plant stores:
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growtropicals....
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[@snt9518]

I'm not saying I have my obliqua figured out at all, but I've had a very different experience with it. I've also had mine for almost exactly one year, bought a tiny juvenile plant. It was transferred from moss to pon, kept under a cloche for a while, but then moved to regular room conditions. It's been pushing new and larger growth quite regularly and keeping all the old leaves, apart from a time in spring when it suffered from mild root rot and shed some of the older ones. That stopped about 2 months ago when first it put out a smaller leaf, then a runner. No idea how it will go in the future, but I still love the plant. Hopefully yours decides to like its conditions, it's a shame for it to be a cause of frustration cause in my limited experience, it's not been fussy at all :)

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Awww thanks for sharing, comments like yours give me hope for sure. It's so fascinating how the same plant can behave so differently for each of us. 🤷‍♀️

[@user-bi7jh5cr3r]

Did anyone already comment that letting it go dry is the reason why it’s not growing? Mine are in my room with no particular humidity and even though they are not my best plants they do push leaves all the time. They live in semi-hydro and never run dry (because if they do they instantly throw leaves)

[@saskiadeclercq6308]

OMG OMG OMG the mealybug shirt is way too cute ❤🤣

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Thanks, Saskia! 😍 Glad you find the mealybug shirt cute, I was hoping you would all love the designs, so comments like your make me super happy 😊💚🌿

[@jillianleblanc9370]

Thank you for sharing beautiful and amazing plants lovely collection beautiful

[@carolstuff]

You’re hilarious Memo; you have to think twice when pests don’t find it attractive🤣. Congrats on your merch; love all three, but janky support stake is awesome. I’ll check if you ship to the USA. Enjoyed the video & thanks for sharing!

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Haha, thanks Carol! 😂 Sometimes pests can be the best critics. So happy you like the merch; yes, it should ship to the USA! 🇺🇸

[@A_Pimp_Named_Ho3]

Only had mine for about 7 months. So far soo good. Have her in sphagnum and perlite no moss pole. Haven’t had any runners but she is constantly pushing out new leafs. Currently up to seven. When I got her she originally had 3 which have all since fallen off. I do keep her in a terrarium with humidity ever dropping below 80% temps ranging from 75F to 85F

[@PimpMyRice100]

I've found the best way to activate nodes is to drape them across damp moss without cutting them off, occasionally the ones getting the most light activate for me. I have the whole plant under a grow light 14hrs/24, and it gets some mild indirect sunlight daily. Hope this helps. xx

[@ginamulder7420]

I transitioned mine to a self watering pot and it is doing fabulous. Much better than in a regular substrate. It is producing runners and not yellowing.

[@aneciacuthbert2192]

Hey there! Love your vids btw! I live in the Caribbean and have my obliqua about 8 months now...I get a new leaf every 21 days approx...I think definitely soil as a substrate....definitely weakly weekly feeding....I believe rain water makes a difference and beside humidity...temperature...maybe a heating mat?...You are an EXCELLENT grower....love that you show the pit falls....sometimes terraforming for tropical plants in a temperate space is super difficult! Will be a fan fr life!!!...best wishes!

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Hello from the Caribbean! 🌴 Wow, every 21 days, that's impressive! Thanks for your lovely words; they mean a lot. 💚💚💚💚💚🌿🌿🌿🌿😊

[@meredithdavis5167]

I just got one and I was cracking up through the whole video! I've had it two days so it hasn't had a chance to run (like my amydrium medium.) It's just looking gorgeously weird on my shelf. I'm so glad I found your review! I've been growing a lot of plants in pon lately, but because of your experience, I'll likely go chunky aroid. And I can skip the damnable moss pole! All my monstera are on them and they've all rooted surprisingly well. If this little buddy starts with the aerials, I'll give it what it wants. But I'm going to go slow with this one (it's not in a rush!) Thank you for another great video. 💚

[@nataliemarie3169]

I love this camera angle! Love seeing you surrounded by your jungle!

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Thank you so much, I thought I would try something new for this video and it seems most people liked it 😊💚🌿

[@Kim-ts8nq]

I grew mine in PON with a moss pole. Kept a resovior at all times. It will root in. It never tried to run until I cut it.

[@tanya.quintieri]

So, I got mine in May or June 2021. Paid 1,000 Euro for a 1-leaf cutting. BUT it was cut from a plant that was propagated by Enid. So there's that. I fussed about it pretty bad for the first couple of months. In early 2022, I decided it would have to fend for itself. It had three leaves at the time. I put it terracotta and a chunky mix, and it lived in my plant room. This year, I moved it to my living room. It's been thriving there, though it has thrown two runners. Recently cut a top cutting with three gorgeous leaves. I find it relatively easy and don't get why people made such a fuss about its care back then. It's best left alone. :D

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Hey Tanya, 👋 Woah, 1,000 Euro for a leaf! 🤑 You've got a legacy plant right there, especially if it was propagated by Enid! Isn't it funny how sometimes leaving them alone is the best strategy? They really do have a mind of their own

[@mawvis]

RUN Forres, run! 😂 this obliqua will remain a big classic undoubtedly. BUT the runners are a bit frustrating, I hope I will find some wisdom on how to make it happy without a terrarium environment 🙏🏽 love the camera angle and the new merch! 😎

[@malindarayallen]

Just got one from an Ecuagenera popup for $30. It's crazy how far they've come down

[@gracewithnature]

Got mine around October last year. I live in the tropics though and it really thrived however, I gave it a GOOD drink of seasol (seaweed solution) around 3 & half months and it didn’t liked it one bit! All the leaves turned yellow and burned and not I have a leafless vine but that being said, it is starting to come back to life and has a new leaf which is looking healthy and bigger than the old leaves that it did have. I’m growing mine outdoor

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Ah, the trials of plant parenting! 🌿 Glad it's making a comeback.

[@HausofVinings]

❤🎉 Love the Janky support sticks one, very very relatable 👌🏾

[@tfyfonnie]

This is an encouraging video, which makes me feel less alone, Memo🙈 I thought it was only me having crazy runners and all propagation (from these runners) rotten in moss 😢 now it’s attacked my spider mites and thrips 😞 really hope it can go through the upcoming colder months… (I have it just in my room temperature and humidity)

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Thank you! 🙏 Ah, the plant woes we all share. Fingers crossed for a better growing season!

[@roxannelessard2784]

Omg...love the t-shirts!!

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Yay, glad you guys love the t-shirts! 🥳 Can't wait to see you rocking them.

[@JoanneZira]

I bought mine when you got your second one, and am growing it in home conditions. I have 60%+ humidity most of the time and just want to see how it goes, because I LOVE the plant, even if it stays small. It arrived in coir in a good sized pot, so I left it as is. It gave out a huge runner which I recently cut, but got thrown away by accident before I could try propagating it 🤦‍♀ However, since then it has a new shoot from the base which I'm hoping is a leaf 🤞 I went straight to your merch shop for a t-shirt, the Janky stick one is fabulous! But the large sizes are already sold out 😭 I'm happy for you, but sad for me because I really wanted it 😫

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Ohhhh I am defo going to keep my fingers crossed for you 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 Awww so glad you liked the design and also so sorry it was all sold out, I have checked now and it should have availability up to 4XL for the t-shirt, hopefully it shows the same where you are, not sure if there are different sizes in different regions.

[@chiptaylor7925]

Nice video as always. I commented on your plants you don't love video saying a few of your plants on the list I liked for the reasons you did not. This was one of them and all the reason you stated in this video are the reasons I like the oblique. I really like that it stays small and I like the looks of the runners in my terrarium. I completely get why other people don't like the oblique for those reasons. I had a monstera adansonii narrow form and did not like how fast it grew for the spot I wanted it. I told my self if I find a rooted obliqua node with signs of growth under $100 US and locally I would get it. sure enough I fond one about 3 months before they went down in price. Thanks again for a great video.

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Thanks for sharing your perspective! 🌱 Yes I remember the comment and I loved it, it goes to show we all have different tastes. I also fully get wanting smaller plants for sure, space in my conservatory is a premium, 🤔🤔🤔🤔 maybe I should reconsider my views on the larger plants 😅💚🌿

[@Manu-61]

Love love love thé tee-shirts going to order 2 😂😂 ❤❤❤

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Yay, glad you guys love the t-shirts! 🥳 Can't wait to see you rocking them.

[@sovboph1050]

Just bought an obliqua for 15€ in a german garden center. i think they mislabeled it, though. For that price i’ll be happy with only getting runners 😅

[@margimorris7360]

I bought 3 nodes, the seller gave me five. I have 5 small leaves, two new ones coming and roots on the 5th node of which I'm thinking of putting it in my fish tank to see what happens. They are sitting in a plastic cup of Leca and stratum and now I don't know what to do with them. Once a plant gets to this size they are put out in the general population with no idea what the humidity is. If a plant can not survive my home then it doesn't live with good results so far but this is by far my most expensive plant (nodes). I intend in photograph my favourite leaves so I'll have it forever. Have no doubt the merch will shell well, good luck.

[@chrislynch1011]

🇦🇺 hi Memo, love the t shirts. I'm sure the lady bugs will enjoy the conservatory environment, hopefully they will reproduce so the larvae will eat the unwanted pests. I have two tiny jumping spiders living among my plants, as we're coming into spring here i hope they do their thing with any bugs. I'm definitely sticking to my adansonii

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Hi from Down Under! 🦘 Oh, those ladybugs better do their job! your spiders seem like the best choice for dealing with pest too 😍😍😍😍 Awwww glad you liked the t-shirts 😁😁🙌🙌🙌💚🌿

[@misslydiaphoto]

Omg I CACKLED out loud at the turgid slogan 😂💀

[@misslydiaphoto]

And the hanky support stick 🫶 so much love ❤️

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Love that you are feeling the merch and the slogans! 🙌

[@Yoliplanting]

I think it is beautiful, I do, but not even here in the subtropics is it an easy plant. Love the merch❤

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Hey Yoliplanting, is it bad for me to say that your comment gave me hope, if even in the subtropics its not easy then I don't feel so bad 😅😅😅😅💚🌿 awww glad you like the merch ❤❤❤

[@annissa485]

Janky support stick is my fav❤

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Glad you love it, shhhhhh... 🙊🙊🙊🙊 I think it's my fav too!!

[@BettyBoopBarnes]

Janky support sticks FTW! Is it every one or everyone though? Maybe it's my Canadian English that it should say everyone?

[@JoanneZira]

I would have thought it was everyone too and I'm in the UK

[@Houseplantygoodness]

it is in the UK too 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ my english being a second language gremlin showing through 😅😅😅😅😅😂🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️ I have changed it this morning so it is now everyone (might take a while to show on KZbin, but on the shop and when placing orders everyone is now one word 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@noora7773]

I had put monstera esqueleto on my wih list and not the obliqua...do you think I would enjoy growing esqueleto more than obliqua? I have had adansonii for years and it grows wonderful leaves with huge holes. I have it climbing on a trellis made from willow. Is esqueleto almost as easy to grow as adansonii?

[@richardr5878]

Great review. I grow mine in household conditions and doing well. (40-55%). Where my experience differs from yours: I’m about 0 for 100 node props. I’ve cut runners for prop box for going on 9 months. No roots. I have had nodes on the runners activate on the plant and pop several new leaves that look great. Using drift wood as there support. Looks good and they seem to like it. I’d rate it a bit higher. Maybe a 6. I think of it as a skill plant. Not everyone can grow it, so a nice example truly makes it “rare”. Only way I’d have paid 4 digits or even 3, is with the intention of using it as an “investment”. I’d sell double node wet sticks all day and have a smile on my face once cost was recouped. I bet taking a runner and propping it like strawberry runners Pyle work. Anyone have tips on propping runners are VERY appreciated.

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Thanks for the love! ❤️ Ah, the mystery of the node props. Sometimes these plants like to keep us guessing, huh? Your driftwood idea sounds dope, though! 🌳

[@SpaceBubbleBeats]

I just bought an obliqua last night off of the new Plant story app. Paid 50 plus 3 shipping. Im not sure exactly what kind of Obliqua it is though i just know it was nice looking

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Hey, congrats on your new obliqua! 🎉 That's a decent price too! Make sure to keep us updated on how it grows.

[@kellyduguay3368]

Your shirts are great! So obliqua....yours is doing what they do, but let it touch damp moss or anything that itcan root into, you'll change your opinion. As far as the phrase " it's never obliqua"..... credit goes to Mick Mitty... not Kaylee

[@tanya.quintieri]

T-Shirt: I'll order one if you make the print higher. :D Don't need a print highlighting my belly. LOL.

[@Houseplantygoodness]

I had similar thoughts Tanya, did not realise it would be that low on my belly, I have tweaked the design today so it should sit higher for the Janky support stick T-shirt. the hoodies should be all good. 😅💚💚💚

[@aingealtara1479]

.. And then I was thinking "what do a ladybug really eat??" 😳 so I had to find out, and I'm sorry Memo, but Ladybugs only eats pollen, nectar and aphids 🤗🐞🌞.. I never had mealies before, but on 3 new plants that I got this summer had mealies.. I treated them, and left them outside on my porch where they have been for the past 2 months.. And until the end of September 🤔 maybe.. depends of the temperature.. .. I had a monstera obliqua Peru too, but I couldn't figure out if I liked it or not.. I didn't even know what kind of plant it was, but a monstera mini it said, but that was not at all the plant.. After a month or so it died, and when I got my Monstera sp Peru i could really see the difference.. Now I've had that one for about 2 years, I think, and since I gave it a moss pole to climb this spring, it's been a much happier plant and grew a lot this year 🌞🤗 I found a little info about Monstera obliqua Peru that I didn't know, and maybe others could use the info too, so here it is: A 9 cm pot with a 20 cm plant at the price of €59,80.. Native Range: Trinidad to C. & S. Trop. America. Habitat: The small size of Monstera obliqua enables to exploit substrates unavailable to other monstera. It can grow to maturity on saplings, in shrubs, and on small twigs of trees. It may even be epiphytic on other aroids. Height up to 10 meters, Spread up to 50 cm. Sun: part shade. Tolerate semi shade.

[@aingealtara1479]

.. Correction: it is not a Monstera sp Peru that I have, but a Monstera Adansonii.. Although they look very similar 🤗

[@Houseplantygoodness]

You are very correct I did some digging into it after your comment and sadly they do not go for mealybugs 😭😭😭😭 I wrongfully assumed as they look like some of the mealybug predators that they too might have a predisposition to mealies. That's some serious Monstera lore you got there! 📚 Thanks for sharing!

[@aingealtara1479]

@@Houseplantygoodness you're ever so welcome Memo.. I didn't know either, but like you I thought that ladybugs would be happy to take the mealies.. When plants are left outside, during summer, the mealies are taken by insects, but it doesn't tell which insect. I've learned a lot from your knowledge, and that's why I keep looking up my plants, for learning and knowing 😊 I actually got my Painted Princess because of you 🌞

[@agneslazarenko2653]

I'm not a newbie at plants and I would still not like to get a plant that runs and needs 90 percent humidity and you need a magnifying glass to tell it apart from an adansonii. I'm clearly not sophisticated enough for an obliqua 😂

[@Houseplantygoodness]

You cracked me up, Agnes! 😂 Not all plants are for everyone, and that's okay.

[@GreenWitch1]

The difference is huge! I love my Adonsonii, but the Peru is a show stopping IMO.

[@sunnymelbourneplants]

Don’t particularly like it either 😅 I got it cheap ish and it has made 2 little leaves after 4 months. It’s alive but very underwhelming. Reminds me of the Indonesian variegated adonsonii. Ugly and not much going for them 😓

[@Houseplantygoodness]

I know what you mean 100% Sometimes simpler plants are the most rewarding! 💚

[@sunnymelbourneplants]

@@Houseplantygoodness 100%, thanks for another awesome video Memo 🥰

[@bermandustin]

Obliqua peru suck 😂 Grew great for 6 months then turned yellow and shot out a 6ft runner overnight

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Haha, a 6ft runner overnight sounds like a plant prank 😂

[@lindaedwards4632]

The obliqua is one plant I have no interest in. All those runners would drive me nuts 😜🇨🇦

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Yeah completely echo your thoughts on this one and yes I can confirm the runners are driving me nuts 🤪

[@Petra-ms3ku]

I just don’t understand the appeal of this one. I’ve got so many look alike’s that are taking over my loft. I’d rather fuss with variegated or mint varieties. This could never survive in my care. 💚

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Yeah, it's not for everyone. Sometimes simpler plants are the most rewarding! 💚

[@SparkleInMoonlight]

"Your mealies can play with my mealies " is simply the best 😀 I think this was one of the worst plant ratings you had given so far - good to know that, I´ll probably skip the m. obliqua 🙂

[@dollydhanraj7158]

I personally think it's a very UGLY plant looking as if bugs eaten most of its leaves...even if I'm given it free I don't want that trash..

[@Houseplantygoodness]

Beauty is subjective, isn't it? 🤔 Totally get if it's not your cup of tea. Plants are like art; everyone has their favorites. 😅💚🌿

[@GreenWitch1]

I just ordered one from the other side of the state, Florida for $20. They look great. Im excited to watch it to see what it does. I learned a lot from the comments on this video. Thanks