This article covers everything you need to know about the Variegated Monstera.
Keep reading to discover:
- How to grow and care for this plant
- What type of fertilizer to use
- Variegated monstera varieties
And more!
Genus
Monstera plants are popular for their ornamental leaves and belong to the genus Monstera. The Monstera genus contains numerous species, such as the Monstera deliciosa and Monstera adansonii.
Of more than over 100 Monstera species, 37 are accepted species names and include the two mentioned above.
Monstera plants are indigenous to the tropical jungles of Southern Mexico and Central America. Moreover, they get their name because of their large leaves.
Furthermore, they’re prized in the plant world for the unique fenestrations that have earned them the nickname of the Swiss Cheese Plant. Fenestrations refers to the natural holes that develop in their leaves as the plant grows.
Read Next: Different Tyles of Monstera Plants
Variegation and Its Causes
If you’re new to the world of plants, it might be confusing to hear about plant species, sub-species, mutations, and variegation.
Variegated Monstera plants are highly sought after by horticulturists as well as home designers. The term “variegation” refers to the appearance of color variations on the stems and leaves of plants.
This variegation occurs due to a lack of chlorophyll in some plant cells. Green leaves have that color because of this biomolecule. As mutations stack up in plant cells, the lack of chlorophyll gives rise to variegated Monstera plants.
The color variation can be two-toned, tri-colored, or multi-colored, including shades of creamy white, yellow, and green. The variety of patterns in variegated Monstera plants includes stripes, blocks, splotches, and dots, to name a few.
Additionally, variegated leaves are often a result of lab experiments, as opposed to the Monstera plant’s natural genetic variation.
Varieties of Variegated Monstera
There are five commonly recognized types of variegated Monstera deliciosa plants, which also include the true deliciosa or the true variegated Monstera.
Monstera deliciosa ‘Variegata’
Monstera deliciosa variegata is the rarest naturally occurring variegated Monstera plant.
Since it occurs naturally, the Monstera deliciosa variegata is considered a true variegated Monstera plant.
However, it’s not stable variegation and occurs from random genetic mutations, which result in several colors and distribution patterns.
Furthermore, this Monstera deliciosa variety is amongst the most expensive houseplants!
Mint Monstera
The Mint Monstera plant is a recent variegated subspecies of the Monstera deliciosa and is extremely difficult to source in the houseplant market.
Mint Monsteras have minty green or white patches of variegation, often referred to as the marbled pattern. The color emerges as the second layer of cells beneath the plant surface mutate to stop producing chlorophyll.
However, the mint green variegation is never consistent across the Monstera plants, although it’s common to find the marble color pattern across the plant’s leaves.
Monstera Deliciosa Aurea
The Monstera deliciosa “Aurea” is a variegated Monstera with yellow variegation occurring in a splotchy pattern.
It’s often called the Monstera Borsigiana Aurea or Monstera Aurea. This variegated Monstera has compact leaves, which rarely grow more than two feet in diameter.
Furthermore, the leaf variegation in this variety is less concentrated, and some leaves may mature without any variegation.
Monstera Deliciosa “Albo Borsigiana”
One of the most striking Monstera deliciosa subspecies, the Monstera Albo Borsigiana, is a rapidly mutating plant characterized by compact leaves.
The Monstera Albo Borsigiana flaunts a marbled pattern of brilliant white and green shades. However, it can also develop a splotchy and blocky variegation pattern.
Its pattern does not arise from a genetic mutation. Since the Albo Borsigiana depicts phenotypic variation, it cannot be propagated from seeds, making it one of the most expensive Monstera varieties.
Thai Constellation
The Thai constellation was named after the Thai lab that created the variegated Monstera.
Being a variety of the Monstera deliciosa, the Thai constellation is not a true species. The variegation pattern in the plant is marbled or speckled, with white, green, and creamy yellow variegation.
The Thai constellation is one of the most popular houseplants and has a stable variegation pattern.
Although not the cheapest, the Thai constellation is priced very reasonably compared to the true deliciosa and Albo Borsigiana varieties.
Care Guidelines
You will find that a variegated Monstera deliciosa requires the same treatment as non-variegated varieties.
Like all greens, Monstera plant care guidelines typically address light, watering, humidity, and nutritional requirements.
Light
Monstera deliciosa plants typically scale the forest trees and absorb indirect sunlight that escapes the thick forest canopy.
Therefore, they have similar requirements as a houseplant. Monstera plants thrive in indirect sunlight, and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can scorch the foliage or sometimes affect the plant’s chlorophyll formation and variegation.
Watering
The Monstera deliciosa varieties require enough water to maintain humidity. Overwatering can damage the fragile roots of this plant.
You’re only supposed to water your Monstera once the soil is completely dry. This will help prevent root rot and other issues.
Humidity
Monsteras thrive in a warm, humid environment. They grow well at room temperature, provided they’re kept away from air conditioners and natural drafts.
Since they love a humid environment, you can encourage healthy growth by placing them near a humidifier with 60%-80% humidity.
Fertilizer
A balanced indoor plant fertilizer can be used to fertilize deliciosa. Use a diluted quantity of non-organic fertilizer if necessary. You should aim for fertilization once a month, as overdoing it will burn the plant’s roots.
Soil Mix Recommendations
Deliciosa varieties, whether Thai constellation or the Albo Borsigiana, are not typically fussy about soil conditions.
You only need to ensure that it’s well-draining and mixed with an ample amount of perlite or coconut husks to maintain moisture.
Pot Requirements
Both concrete and ceramic pots can be used for Monstera plants. Medium to large-sized pots are preferred to facilitate these climbing plants.
You must ensure they have plenty of drainage holes for aeration, to protect the plant from root rot, and to maintain soil pH.
Repotting
We advise repotting bigger floor plants every 18 to 24 months. You should often select a potting vessel with a diameter that is 2″ to 4″ bigger. Repotting should be done in the spring or summer when the plant is at its healthiest.
Propagation
Propagation is typically done using leaf cuttings for household plants. Commercial mass propagation is done using culturing techniques, which are innovative in plant biotechnology for allowing the rapid growth of our green friends.
Genetic mutation is the primary cause of variegation. Genetic variegation is considered stable if it can be passed on to future progeny.
However, variegation from environmental stress, diseases, and phenotypic variations does not transfer to seeds.
Growing From Seed
Even in true variegated species, which have genetic mutations, the variegation pattern is often recessive.
Recessive inheritance patterns don’t always show up in an organism’s phenotype. Therefore, the best plant propagation method is to clone the variegated plant using its cuttings.
Pests
If it is under-watered, Monstera deliciosa does appear to be vulnerable to thrips and spider mites. It may also attract all of the other typical houseplant pests, but they don’t appear to be after it too much, so you probably don’t need to worry too much about a pest infestation.