There are many varieties of monstera and some of them are considered rare due to their unusual appearance and scarcity in the market. These rare monstera plants can be quite expensive, ranging from hundreds to even thousands of dollars per plant!
The slow growth rate and difficulty in propagating are the two most contributing factors that make these gorgeous lush foliage plants highly priced. Despite the price tag, many gardeners and plant collectors are willing to spare extra costs to get these premium and beautiful plants. So what are the rare monstera plants? Let’s get to know them!
Table of Contents
Rare Monstera Plants from Central and South America
Philodendron Monkey Mask (Monstera Obliqua)
This rare monstera plant got its name for its unique foliage shape. Philodendron monkey masks are highly sought-after because of the unusual holes all over their green and delicate leaves. When given more space to grow, this shade-loving tropical plant can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) high but is much smaller when grown as an indoor houseplant.
Variegated Sweet Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa var. Borsigiana ‘Albo-Variegata’)
The variegated sweet cheese plant is the most widely known species of the rare monsteras. Prized for its stunning milky white and green, large, and glossy foliage, this beauty is one of the most favored white-variegated plants with a size of approximately 1 foot (0.6 meters), making them perfect to grow in pots and containers.
Monstera Peru (Monstera Karstenianum)
Monstera Peru thrives the best in moist soil with good drainage. This slightly uncommon and rare monstera plant is notable for its deep dark, glossy, and oblong-shaped foliage. As a vining plant, monstera Peru can reach 8 feet (2.4 meters) or more. This perennial plant is commonly grown as a pot plant and tends to grow much faster than the variegated sweet cheese plant and philodendron monkey mask.
Monstera Dubia
Similar to monstera Peru, monstera dubia is not favored for holes or split in their foliage, but rather for its heart-shaped leaves, long and slender stems, and a combination of silvery-white and lush green colors. Thriving only about 3 feet (0.9 meters) indoors, the vining monstera dubia is one of the smallest rare monstera varieties.
Friedrichsthalii Monstera (Monstera Adansonii var. Laniata)
Monstera adansonii or Friedrichsthalii monstera is often confused with the philodendron monkey mask for its striking resemblance. While looking almost the same, monstera adansonii has more elongated oval foliage with multiple cuts and a range of darker colors. The largest size of monstera adansonii can thrive up to 12 feet (3.6 meters), while the smallest size thrives only up to 3 feet (0.9 meters).
Sweet Cheese Vine (Monstera Epipremnoides)
The sweet cheese vine is a rare monstera plant that resembles its cousin, monstera adansonii. This climbing or vining plant produces elongated oblong-shaped foliage with larger holes and ranges in color from bright lime-green to dark green. This vine is gigantic, having thrived to almost 33 feet (10 meters) in the wild but only growing to approximately 8 feet (2.4 meters) as indoor houseplants.
Rare Monstera to Give the Ultimate Tropical Jungle Look
Variegated Thai Constellation (Monstera deliciosa var. Thai Constellation)
This popular rare monstera variety is rather easy to take care of. The variegated Thai constellation is popular for its heart-shaped foliage and foliage color, which is a mix of milky-white or lime-white and shades of green. The foliage pattern of the variegated Thai constellation makes this plant more sought-after, with a splash and dots of variegated white that differs in each foliage. This plant is among the smallest rare monstera group, thriving to only about 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall.
Freddie Monstera (Calathea Concinna)
The next rare monstera plant that is adorned not for holes or splits in its foliage is the ‘Freddie’ monstera. The foliage pattern of ‘Freddie’ monstera is unique, with a base of pale lime green and dark green veins, making them suitable to grow in almost any space with shady sunlight. This plant is tiny, with a height of only about 0.4 feet (0.15 meters).
Monstera Lentii
Monstera lentii is characterized by its glossy, deep dark green or dark green, split foliage that adorns lighter green veins. Due to its unique appearance, this slow-growing plant is best for any tropical-themed garden but it tends to be less common because of its lack of popularity. In their native habitat, the eye-catching monstera lentii can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) or more.
Mexican Split-leaf Philodendron (Monstera Pinnatipartita)
This ultimate tropical jungle plant is notable for its deep dark green split foliage and easiness of growing in pots and containers. The young Mexican split-leaf philodendron has no splits or holes at all, as this striking characteristic later developed as the plant matures. This plant thrives to about 4 feet (1.2 meters) when grown indoors and more when grown outdoors.
Silver Philodendron (Monstera sp. Philodendron Silver)
As the name indicates, the silver philodendron is favored for its heart-shaped ashy-green or lime-green foliage and darker green veins. This rare monstera variety is believed to be a cultivated species between monstera and philodendron. When mature, the silver philodendron can reach a height of about 9 feet (3 meters) and prefers mildly acidic soil to thrive.
Are There Rare Monstera Seeds?
Although it must be fun to grow your monstera from seeds, seed growing as a propagation method for monsteras is not recommended at all. All rare monstera varieties produce seeds, but it’s not common to find them and the process will be time-consuming and gruesome. There’s no success guaranteed to propagate monstera from seeds, and the only recommended propagation method is through stem cutting.
To add, propagating variegated monstera, for example, the one with white variegated foliage could fail for genetic mutation reasons. The common issue is the new plant grows in its natural green color, not showing the variegated color like its parent plant. So as for now, it’s rather not possible to grow those rare monstera plants from seeds.
Are All Rare Monstera Plants Resilient to Pests and Diseases?
Like any other plants, rare monstera plants are not resilient to pests and diseases, so it’s a must to grow them in the best growing conditions possible. The most common pests and diseases for these rare monsteras are root rot, spider mites, fungal leaf spots, and mealybugs. To prevent pests and diseases, keep your monstera plant in a proper growing space with good humidity and air circulation, adequate daily indirect sunlight, and regular (but not too much) watering.
Rare Monstera Species: Final Thoughts
Regardless of their not-so-friendly prices, these rare monstera plants would still be the superstar of foliage houseplants, favored for their foliage shapes, patterns, color, and ease of maintenance. Always take note to afford one that meets your budget and grow them with proper care and attention.
New author in the hood. Loves gardening and flowers are my spirit animals (yes I know they are not animals but I insist). I will be covering most of the flowers’ topics here and occasionally random though as well.
