Monstera Deliciosa Albo Plant Care

Congratulations on choosing the Monstera Albo as a houseplant. This species is a stunning plant to grow and one that’s a favorite among plant collectors and plant enthusiasts alike.

Another fantastic thing is that caring for the Monstera deliciosa Albo Variegata is not tricky. It’s an uber-trendy yet elusive plant.

So, let’s start to ensure that your variegated monstera lives up to its name.

Plant Name: Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo Borsigiana’

Other Name: Monstera albo, variegated monstera 

Plant Type: Perennial 

Native Areas: Central America

Light Requirement: Partial

Watering: Moderate

Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer

Toxicity: Toxic to pets

Temperature: Warm temperatures

Propagation: Stem cuttings

Growth: 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide indoors and 30 feet tall and 5 feet wide outdoors

Soil Type: Moist but well-draining

USDA Hardiness Zones: 9-11

Variegated Monstera Background

variegated monstera deliciosa and monstera thai constellation

When we look at the Monstera genus, we’ll find over 45 plant species. The plant grows as huge as an evergreen vine. The Monstera deliciosa Albo variegata climbs up trees or clings to trunks with their aerial roots, and you’ll find the leaves split with holes in them that are naturally occurring.

Hence, the name Swiss-cheese plant. The splits help absorb light to let through more sunlight to the lower leaves, leading to efficient use of light energy. As an indoor plant, it remains small but can grow huge when planted outdoors.

The Monstera albo is the variegated version of the Monstera deliciosa. Hence, it came from the natural mutation of the plant when reproduced. Therefore, like a surprise package, each leaf differs until the foliage opens.

You find the leaves in a jade-green with white, while sometimes the foliage is entirely white or has white splotches with patterns or blocks. The leaves could look like half-moons, with one section green and the other white.

So, you do not always get a balanced variegation in these tropical houseplants.

Variegated Monstera Deliciosa Care

There are certain ways how to keep your monstera plant happy. Follow these tips from Plantly and you will keep your giant beauties happy.

Ideal Potting Mix for Monstera Albo

potting mix

The first and most important thing to know is that your variegated monstera albo and other variegated varieties in the monstera genus are epiphytes.

When looking at the Swiss cheese plant in its native habitat, they do not typically grow in soil in the ground. No, they use their aerial roots to cling to trees and get essential nutrients from the air and debris on bigger plants.

If you provide your Monstera deliciosa variegata with a potting mix, it must be airy and drain well. This is to mimic the plant’s natural environment. Do this using a substrate to provide moisture but not retain so much water. Hence, the soil needs to be light but well-drained.

But when you use a regular potting mix, you must add perlite to help with drainage and some orchid bark. Still, if the water drains too fast, some damp sphagnum moss or coco coir can help retain water to keep it hydrated. Yet it helps to keep the potting mix balanced to avoid soggy soil.

Light to Keep the Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo Variegata’ Glowing

monstera deliciosa albo lighting condition

When you look at the white variegation of these tropical plants, the spots do not contribute to the plant’s growth. So, the green parts are working in overdrive.

One thing is for sure: this is not your typical low-light flowering plant. It needs some bright, dappled natural light to keep the variegated monstera plant’s leaves in tip-top condition. As an indoor plant, it can thrive standing near a north-facing window.

But when standing at a south-facing window, provide it with sheer curtains as the white variegation will fade in low light but burn in direct sunlight.

Alternatively, you can use artificial lights to help boost the variegation, and it helps your plant grow.

Watering Needs of Monstera Albo

The good news is your variegated monstera deliciosa plant is not a thirsty tropical houseplant. The important thing is to provide your Monstera variegata with slightly moist soil. So, on average, you will water your houseplant once a week. Still, it depends on the temperature and humidity as well.

The rule of thumb is to check if the soil moisture dries out between watering. You can expect to water more in the growing season of spring and summer as it is actively growing. The growth slows during the winter, and the houseplant soil needs to dry out.

Please don’t kill your poor plant with overwatering; it does not enjoy wet feet. Occasionally, you can get away with it, but too much leads to root rot. The monstera albo is also sensitive to minerals, so mind the kind of water that you’re using.

Preferably, use distilled or rainwater, but if you cannot, let the tap water sit for 24 hours to help the chemicals in it evaporate. Doing this will help with healthy roots to keep your plants thriving.

Temperature & Humidity 

monstera deliciosa albo temperature and humidity levels

For variegated monsteras, it does well in warm temperatures between 65°F to 80°F. Yes, it can tolerate lower temperatures at 55°F but will look stressed at that level.

Neither is your Monstera deliciosa variegata frost hardy, and it’s best to bring them indoors as temperatures drop. Unfortunately, the only place you can leave your monstera plants outside is USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11.

Hence, if you decide to grow it as an outdoor plant, provide a trellis or vertical setup to climb. Or you can hang it in a planter.

The Monstera deliciosa albo thrives in high humidity. Therefore, group your plant with at least 60% humidity with other tropical houseplants.

humidifier

You can set it on a pebble tray with water, invest in a humidifier, or give the leaves a misting. As the variegated leaves turn brown, you will soon see if your plant is not getting enough moisture.

Another great way to keep your plant flourishing is with a moist peat moss pole or a coco coir pole.

Fertilizing Your Monstera Albo Variegata 

A good thing is the monstera albo variegata is not a big feeder. But, of course, additional feeding is always welcome. You can give it a 20-20-20 fertilizer once a month in the growing season.

Also, dilute it to half-strength to prevent leaf and root burn. Another great thing is slow-release food; you can apply it for weeks to months instead of all at once.

Thus, your monstera plants get nutrients for optimum growth without it leading to a fertilizer burn. 

Repotting Variegated Monstera Albo

You must repot your variegated monstera albo every two years, but sometimes it can be earlier. The best is to watch for roots poking through the drainage holes. Once this happens, you must move your monstera plants to a bigger container.

But if this occurs around fall or winter, we recommend waiting until spring. Please wait for the right temperature when it is not too hot in the growing season. This will allow your plant to recover faster when transplanted.

With added space, your plant will start growing faster. You can choose a pot of about one to two inches for your small plants and up to four inches for mature plants. If you do not want to move your monstera to a larger pot, other options are available, and great if it has grown too big.

You can place your plant in the same pot but trim its roots and foliage. Next, refresh the potting mix as the smaller root system adapts quickly. A reminder is to place the root ball at the same depth as in the previous container.

Or, you can separate your variegated monsteras to get more than one plant. Unfortunately, these plants are expensive to buy. Doing this is a great way to ensure you have more than one in your home.

Propagation of Monstera Albo

With such a beautiful plant, you want to make sure you always have a Monstera deliciosa albo variegata, right. Of course, you do. The best way to have one is to propagate your monstera plant.

monstera propagation

You can do this through planting seeds, stem cutting, or division. The seed can take a long, and using division is better as it helps limit the size mother plant.

But, the best option available is stem cuttings, and relatively easy to do by following these steps:

  1. Choose a healthy stem with two to three leaves and about four to six inches long from the mother plant.

  2. Make a clean cut using sterilized pruning shears below the node and include at least one node where a new plant will grow.

  3. Remove the lower leaves to place the section in soil or water.

  4. Leave the cutting to dry and decide if you want to root it in potting soil or water.

  5. We recommend using water as it is faster to root the cutting and see them grow. But it will be an extra step as you still need to transplant it into the soil.

  6. You can place the stem in a jar or glass for water rooting. But keep changing the water daily. You will see new roots forming after six weeks.

  7. Once the roots are an inch long or longer, you can place them in a pot with well-draining soil.

If you decide to plant the cutting in the ground, provide it with soil that drains well. You will notice growth in about a month. You can keep watering your plant and place it in bright indirect light.

A Bonus Propagation Method You Can Try

The above propagation techniques are well-known to ensure you have a variegated monstera available in your house. But we have two more methods you can try:

Using Sphagnum Moss 

The method is easy to produce the best roots the fastest. You can use fresh or dried-up moss as both work. The best part is any sphagnum moss will do.

  1. Water the moss well and leave it to soak before placing the cutting in it.

  2. Then, let the water drain from the moss to make it moist and not soaking wet.

  3. Next, place the cutting in the moss in a jar and watch the moisture.

  4. The roots should develop within six weeks.

Propagating in Perlite 

The method is new, and as perlite is inorganic and well-draining, it should not develop rot. But once you notice roots forming, you must place the cutting into the soil.

When placing your cutting in perlite, ensure that it is moist but not wet. Next, take a container, fill the area around the cutting with perlite, and press it against the stem.

You will need to place the stem cutting deeper as perlite is light to help it stand upright. Place your cutting in bright indirect light until the roots develop.

You can mist the perlite to keep it moist and transfer it to the soil when the roots develop.

Monstera Albo Plant Varieties and Similar Plants

When it comes to the Monstera albo variegata, you can find other variegated monsteras available that are just as beautiful to have, as seen here:

Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’

Monstera Thai @ evonne0309kk

Yes, the Monstera Thai plant resembles its name with leaves looking like a splotchy galaxy with a variegation of patterns and shades in a creamy white to dark green hue. The care requirement for these variegated plants is the same as for your albo monstera.

Monstera borsigiana

monstera borsigiana

The variegated Monstera borsigiana resembles the same leaf design as the Thai Constellation, but there is a difference in the variegation. The variegated Monstera leaves of the Monstera deliciosa borsigiana are pure white, and it has dark green leaves. As with the Monstera deliciosa albo variegata, the care for the variegated Monstera borsigiana is similar.

Monstera deliciosa ‘Aurea’

This is a rare plant with lime variegation found on the dark green leaves and needs more light to keep it that way.

Monstera Albo Diseases & Pests

As you know, no houseplant goes without becoming pestered by insects or diseases. So, here are some common concerns with the variegated plant.

The Leaves Turn Yellow

Yellowing leaves are due to overwatering, or it can be from root rot. The important thing is to leave the soil to dry between watering. Also, ensure the pot has enough drainage holes for the water to drain freely.

The Leaves Are Turning Brown

Browning leaves, especially on the tips, can result from underwatering or lack of moisture. Another cause can be sunburn.

We recommend checking each of these signs starting at the soil. Then, keep the soil moist and place your plant with other plants to raise the humidity.

Also, place your plant in bright light but not direct sunlight to prevent sunburn.

The Leaves Are Losing Its Variegation

If leaves turn all white or green, it helps to cut them off. Doing this encourages new growth to provide it with the variegation. Not providing enough light to your variegated plant can also lose its variegation. 

Spider Mite Problem 

If the leaves start to die and you notice webbing forming, it is spider mites. Too hot or dry conditions cause these insects to thrive on your plant. You can use an insecticide or neem oil spray on the infestation.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you want your albo monstera to grow faster, provide it with a bit more light. Your plant can grow well in bright light but make sure it is not standing in direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves. Also, it will grow taller by providing it with the right amount of water, humidity, and fertilizer.

Yellow leaves result from overwatering, and it can lead to root rot. You can start by letting the soil dry out before watering your plant again.

You can expect to repot your monstera albo every two years. You will need to provide it with a bigger pot size, which helps give them support like a sphagnum moss pole as well to climb.

Your plant will stop growing for several reasons, and you will need to investigate each one. First, your plant might not be getting enough sunlight, and moving it to a place with bright light might help.

Secondly, too little water can also result in your plant not growing, or the roots have become root-bound. Again, repotting your albo monstera in fresh soil and a bigger container will help.

Another thing is that it might lack nutrients, and provide with some fertilizer will help boost growth.

To maintain the white variegation of an Albo Monstera plant, provide bright indirect light, avoid direct sunlight which can scorch the leaves, maintain consistent watering to keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy, and periodically wipe the leaves gently to remove dust and enhance their appearance.

The Monstera Albo is costly due to its rarity and unique white variegation. Its slower growth and propagation difficulties contribute to limited supply, increasing demand and driving up its price in the plant market.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

Plantly Menu