Welcome to our Variegated Monstera category page.
These white and green beauties are highly coveted and hugely hash-tagged on Instagram too! With the big increase in popularity of houseplants in general, these often top the charts of rare houseplant collectors most wanted.
You can read all our related articles here, plus a brief FAQ below…
We have articles on all types of variegated monsteras, here are a few… Monstera Thai Constellation, Monstera Adansonii Variegated, Monstera Standleyana, Monstera Albo. Also see our guide: How To Propagate Monstera Albo.
You might also like these articles too: Monstera Trellis, Monstera Propagation, Monstera Leaves Curling, When Do Monstera Leaves Split?
Variegated monstera grow slightly slower than their prolifically growing cousin the monstera deliciosa, this is because variegated plants have less green chlorophyll in their leaves and so do not process light energy into growth as efficiently. They can still grow well over 1 or 2 feet a year, (50cm or so) depending on their original size and conditions.
Variegated monstera are well in demand, more so than supply, which pushes prices up. Even though some have been mass produced with tissue culture, the demand for plants has increased too, so prices remain high.
Sport variegation is a freak variegation that occurs in a new leaf. It is often not very stable and the next leaf may well turn back to normal. Plant breeders will often propagate the sport node and leaf to try to breed a plant that has a more stable variegation that can be sold as stable after propagating it for a few generations.
Some variegated plants come from genetic mutations in the wild, and some get them domestically and are then bred to make the variegation more stable. The Thai Constellation is propagated en masse with tissue culture process in a lab.
There are lots of specialist online dealers. I got mine from Etsy and plenty show up on Ebay too. Also try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
You can encourage more variegation in a plant that is already variegated by giving it as much indirect sunlight as you can (but no direct sun). If they produce less variegated foliage you can cut it back to the node which last produced good variegation, to try to encourage more variegated growth.
A lot of people ask about growing them from seeds… No! they should be propagated from a cutting. Variegation is a mutation and there is absolutely no guarantee seeds will have it.
They go for ridiculous prices, some for over 5000 euros or US Dollars. Especially the Adansonii which can cost 1000 euros for a small plant.
Variegation in monsteras is caused by a mutation that causes a lack of chlorophyll in the mutated cells.
Variegation is not stable and so, sometimes, they can revert to all green where the variegation disappears entirely. Thai Constellations do revert, but it is much less common, the variegation is much stable in this regard. Monstera Adansoniis can revert too, for more on this see our guide: Monstera Adansonii Variegated.
There are 2 main types of these monstera on sale: Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata which has clearer patches of green and white, or the Thai Constellation which has smaller patches of white and speckles in the green
For more on these plants see our guides: Monstera Thai Constellation, and Monstera Albo.
Sport variegation on an adansonii normally shows a a patterning of lighter, light green on those dark lush leaves. Ii is not normally stable and will often revert.
You cannot really encourage sport variegation, it is a genetic mutation. It does tend to occur when the lant is well lit and occurs less if the plant gets too little light.
Sport variegation is not stable, it is a mutation it will very likely revert, or if it does not revert it is unlikely it will propagate and produce sport variegated children.
The Thai Constellation is tissue cultured and is stable.
You can propagate a variegated monstera the same say as other monsteras, take a node cutting with at least one node and one leaf, root it in a jar of filtered tap water, and once the roots get big in a couple of moths you can pot it up into a good soil. For more on monstera propagation see our guide here: Monstera Propagation.
Technically they can grow in USDA hardiness zone is 10b to 12, but they are much better indoors away from the elements, as any issues from the weather will show on the white parts of the leaves.
They are mildly to moderately toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, causing numbness and sickness, so seek verts advice immediately.
The monstera albo is a stunningly beautiful, expensive and in demand rare aroid, loved by plant collectors the world over the good news is they are not too difficult to care for as indoor plants, in fact they are very similar in need to their non-variegated relatives, you just need to get their light needs…
Welcome to our guide to monstera standleyana care. One of my wish-list plants, the monstera standleyana, is a great non-fussy tropical household plant that will impress anyone who sees it! Monstera Standleyana Summary Light needs: Plenty of indirect sunlight but no direct sunlight. Watering needs: Water when the top inch or 2 cms is dry….
Monsteras seem to collect dust really easily and can do with a clean every now and again. I clean mine each month. We cover all you need to know about cleaning monstera leaves in this quick and concise guide. See also: Monstera Albo, Monstera Thai Constellation, Monstera Deliciosa Care, for a full guide to caring…
Welcome to our guide to propagating a monstera albo, covering soil, leca and moss methods with step by step instructions and pictures from my propagations. Tip: we recommend Etsy for buying plants. Look for the best rated seller you can, and try to buy as close to your home as possible so the plant does…
In general the monstera adansonii variegated is easy to care for, just give them plenty of light but be careful not to burn those amazing leaves… Monstera Adansonii Variegated Summary Light needs: Bright indirect sunlight, but not in direct sunlight as this can cause the leaves to burn. Watering needs: Water once a week if…
Welcome to our guide to monstera thai constellation care. This plant is the big ticket item, the money shot(!) A beautiful monstera with dashes of white and off-white variegation reminiscent of a constellation of stars. Monstera Thai Constellation Care Summary Light needs: Bright indirect sunlight. Watering needs: Water when the top half of the soil…