Who doesn’t know about monsteras? This well-admired houseplant is cherished for its large, glossy green foliage and its unique foliage shape.
Their popularity among foliage plants has skyrocketed in the last decade, with more gardeners and plant enthusiasts have joined in the hunt–especially for the more unique-looking cultivars: monstera with white leaves.
What are some monsteras varieties with white leaves?
Some monsteras types which fall into this category are:
- Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo-Variegata’
- Monstera adansonii ‘Albo-Variegata’
- Monstera borsigiana ‘Albo-Variegata’
- Monstera obliqua ‘Albo-Variegata’
- Monstera siltepecana ‘Albo-Variegata’
- Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’
- Monstera esqueleto ‘Albo-Variegata’
This monstera variety features striking white foliage that could help add a distinctive touch to any indoor and shady gardens. In this section, we’ll get to know more about monstera with white leaves and a simple way to take care of them.
Table of Contents
White-leaved Monstera Varieties
Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo-Variegata’
This variegated monstera is among the most well-known, adored by the massive split foliage that grows in milky white and green color. In some cases, one white monstera leaf can even grow in full milky white or greenish-white color, while the other foliage is made from a splash of white and green. Thriving up to 90 centimeters (35 inches), this monstera with white leaves is perfect for any indoor garden or living space.
Monstera adansonii ‘Albo-Variegata’
Differentiating monstera adansonii from monstera deliciosa is pretty simple. Monstera adansonii ‘Albo-Variegata’ produces heart-shaped or oval-shaped foliage with half white and half green color. Adaptable to almost any growing space, this monstera with white leaves is ranging in height. They could thrive as small as just 20 centimeters (8 inches), to as massive as 426 centimeters (168 inches) when given more space to grow.
Monstera borsigiana ‘Albo-Variegata’
Notable for its heart-shaped and split foliage, monstera borsigiana is a perfect alternative for monstera deliciosa, with similar-looking foliage and a mix of green and white. Some foliage of monstera borsigiana may develop a fully milky white color, and when it comes to size, this monstera with white leaves is much smaller than its cousin, with the smallest size thriving for only 35 centimeters (14 inches).
Monstera obliqua ‘Albo-Variegata’
This rare variation of monstera is admired not only for its natural splits and milky white color but also for holes that naturally develop as the plant matures. Monstera obliqua ‘Albo-Variegata’ is more ‘rounded’ in shape and can be kept as a pot plant when grown indoors, but can thrive massively up to 2 meters (78 inches) as climbing and creeping plants.
Monstera siltepecana ‘Albo-Variegata’
Another rare variation of monstera, this plant is often referred to as the ‘Silver Monstera’ due to its foliage color: a striking combination of silvery-white and green. Same as any other vining plant, monstera siltepecana needs wooden stalks to support its growth. This plant can be grown in much smaller spaces like hanging baskets or as climbing plants to incorporate that eye-catching appearance in a trellis.
Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’
The unique point of the highly-sought after monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’ is located in its foliage pattern. This monstera variety has larger, broader, and more elongated foliage with a variety of milky white patterns, such as stripes, splotches, and spots–which sometimes look strangely similar to a constellation map! On average, they thrive up to 60 centimeters (24 inches).
Monstera esqueleto ‘Albo-Variegata’
Also known as the ‘Skeleton Monstera’, this plant is appreciated for its delicate and thin structure, with elongated-shape, splits, and larger holes that adorn its half-white and half-green foliage. They range in size, with the smallest one thriving only as high as 22 centimeters (9 inches), to as high as 60 centimeters (23 inches).
How Difficult It Is To Maintain Monstera Plant with White Leaves?
As beautiful as their appearance is, the general maintenance routine for monstera with white leaves varieties is rather easy and can be done by gardeners on any level.
Ensure that they receive the right amount of light indirectly, as direct sunlight is too warm for this beautiful plant and can be harmful to their delicate foliage.
Next, make sure to provide them with adequate watering and a good drainage system, along with high humidity (this plant loves moisture and humid conditions!).
With proper care and attention, you don’t have to worry about the plant reverting its color, which is common in variegated species, or being attacked by deadly diseases.
Why Is Monstera Albo So Expensive?
It’s a law of nature that the more unusual a plant is, the more escalated the price tends to be. As we can see, the primary reason why Monstera Albo or the white-leaves monstera is so expensive is because of its unique color variegation, which makes them very appealing for plant collectors and likewise enthusiasts.
Furthermore, creating a white and lush green color monstera is a complex duty. The variegation of Monstera Albo is due to a genetic mutation that is often difficult to replicate. The limited supply of this plant, combined with soaring demands, has led to an increase in price.
Although generally easy to maintain, the downside of monstera with white leaves is that they are also a slow-growing plant that often takes years to mature.
Are There Cheaper Alternatives For Monstera with White Leaves?
The most expensive Monstera Albo was sold for $27,000, making it nearly equal to the average student loan debt. If it’s beyond your budget for buying a new plant (which may be the case for most people), here are our recommended cheaper alternatives to the Monstera Albo with the same variegated white and green foliage.
Philodendron White Wizard and Philodendron White Knight
Coming from the same Arum Family, these two are one of the trendiest philodendron cultivars. Much smaller in size than the monstera plant with white leaves, philodendron white wizard and white knight are the best fit for those who love shiny milky white and dark green foliage but at a more affordable price.
Alocasia Variegata Albo
Alocasia Variegata Albo or variegated elephant’s ear plant is the next highly regarded houseplant with an evergreen splash of milky white and dark green color. In contrast to philodendrons, alocasia generally has much larger foliage but is still suitable to grow indoors.
White Photos
Photos or devil’s ivy is a heart-shaped vining plant that looks stunningly adorable in hanging baskets, pots, and containers. The variegated white species like the ‘Snow Queen’ or the greeny-white ‘Marble Queen’ is ideal for those with smaller gardening space.
White Variegated ZZ Plant
ZZ plant often called the ‘Dollar Tree’, is an ornamental foliage plant that is also believed to be a fortune-attractor plant. The white variation of the ZZ plant would not hurt your wallet, as you can get this beautiful plant mostly for less than $200.
White Caladium
Not to be confused with alocasia, white caladium, also known as taro or the elephant’s ear plant, is a famous Arum species for its color spectrum and heart-shaped foliage. The white caladium displays nearly all white foliage with dark green veins, in some varieties, it could be a tri-color combination of dark green, magenta, and lime-white.
White Monstera Plant: Are They Worth the Hype?
Monstera with white leaves is worth trying, especially for those who are fond of indoor gardening and easy-to-maintain ornamental foliage plants. Although these plants are coming from the same family, it’s worth noting that it’s essential to do more research to check the plant’s needs as well as check your zones to ensure that the white monstera plant can thrive in your home.
Gardening is my passion and growing plants indoors has always been a stress relief for me. Grow a banana tree in my apartment once (although failed to produce bananas).
