If there was a plant that sold online for $5,000, would that make it one of the most expensive houseplants in the world?
Of course, it would.
Only that it already happened when Botanist Jessica Prebble sold a variegated Monstera Albo in an online auction (TradeMe) for as much.
That shouldn’t be a surprise if you’ve seen this magnificent and rare plant. Any plant collector or enthusiast would do almost anything to own one of these and if you already have it in your collection, you’ll do everything possible to keep it alive.
In today’s post, I’ll help you with the latter and most likely how to multiply for your own collection or share with friends and relatives as a valuable gift. When you do, be sure to share this article as complimentary material.
Let’s begin:
Popular Variegated Monstera Varieties and What Makes Them Unique
Unlike the regular green Monstera deliciosa or adansonii, variegated varieties have unique mutations that cause speckles or patches of white, cream, or yellow on their leaves. Because this variegation is unstable and rare, these plants are highly prized—and often expensive!
Besides, their care is slightly different from their all-green counterparts. There are two popular cultivars of this rare monstera as follows:
Thai Constellation
Foliage Plant Studio via Instagram
Thai constellation - a pattern of marbled and speckled creamy white and green variegation, resembling a constellation, rare.
Monstera Albo
Image Credit: Reddit
Albo - a striking plant with variegated leaves, rare, and expensive
How to Propagate Variegated Monstera
While some sources recommend propagating variegated monstera by seed sown at 18 to 24°C, this rarely produces true-to-type seedlings. Instead, all the variegation is lost in the next generation.
Hence, the only sure way is to propagate through stem cuttings. However, even propagating from cuttings requires some irreducible minimums. For instance, ensure your cutting has:
- At least one node (where roots grow).
- A leaf with variegation (to maintain the pattern).
Steps to Propagate:
- Cut below a node with a clean, sharp knife.
- Place in water or sphagnum moss until roots develop (2-6 weeks). Also, expose the propagated cuttings to sufficient sunlight.
- Transfer to soil once roots are 2-3 inches long.
Note: Variegation is unstable—new growth may not always be as highly variegated but if you do everything right, the odds will be in your favor.
How to Grow and Care for Variegated Monstera
Light requirements
Unlike the green Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa), variegated cultivars need more sunlight failure to which they lose their variegation. On the other hand, they are very sensitive to too much direct sunlight which causes sunburns.
Therefore, you need to find the correct balance. The rule of thumb is to provide at least six hours of filtered sunlight.
Watering
When it comes to watering variegated monstera, there’s nothing special about it. Following good watering practices is key which isn’t different from the other plants.
However, being a tropical plant, be careful not to overwater. If you’re unsure, here is a great guide with easy steps for watering monstera plants.
Soil Mix
It is often said that if you take care of the soil, it will take care of your plants. This is no different.
A rich, well-draining soil mix is essential. A combination of equal parts perlite, orchid bark, coco peat, and coco coir will provide the drainage and nutrients that Monstera variegata require.
You can also mix in some organic manure like worm castings to give an extra boost.
Temperature and Humidity
One special requirement of these plants is their need for above-average humidity. No wonder they do exceptionally well in well-lit bathrooms or kitchens.
For most rooms, the humidity is just too low for the plant to thrive. Therefore, it’s a good idea to supplement with a humidifier or place in a group of other plants and constantly add water in the pot saucers.
Moreover, the variegated monstera does best in warm temperatures, ideally between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it well-suited to indoor growing, although it can also be grown outdoors during the summer or year-round in USDA zones 9 to 11.
Fertilizer Application
Variegated monstera are heavy feeders when they’re actively growing. Therefore, they need a little bit more fertilizer than their darker green counterparts. If you’ve conditioned your soil well with a slow-release fertilizer, subsequent feedings aren’t necessary at least for the first six months.
After that, feed your plant once a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Remember to follow the instructions on the product label.
Potting and repotting
So, how do you know when it’s time to repot?
Unlike other houseplants that you need to look at whether the roots are emerging from the pot, the variegated monstera can grow so huge and not necessarily the roots. Hence, they’ll keep toppling. When these happen frequently, you need to repot.
The good news is that they’ll take at least two years to get to this point since they’re slow growers.
To repot, the first step is to carefully remove the plant from its old pot and loosen the rootball as much as possible without breaking any roots. You want to remove as much of the old soil as possible.
Next, place the plant's root ball in the new pot, cover it with fresh potting mix, and then water it well.
Pruning
In most cases, you won’t have to prune your monstera albo except to remove diseased leaves or harvest cuttings to propagate.
I’ve also seen people who prune to bring back variegation when the plant suddenly becomes green.
Whatever your reasons, to prune correctly, sanitize the tools and cut above the growing nodes. Water well after pruning, and do not fertilize immediately afterward. All these have to be done during the active growing season.
Pests and Diseases management.
These plants are not problematic with pests and diseases but you need to regularly monitor for common pests such as fungus gnats, mealybugs, and spider mites.
Conclusion
The Variegated Monstera (Monstera deliciosa 'Variegata') is one of the most sought-after houseplants, thanks to their stunning white or yellow marbled leaves.
Whether you own the Monstera albo (white variegation), Thai constellation, or the Monstera aurea (yellow variegation), these tropical beauties require specific care to thrive.
I hope this post has provided you with exactly that.