17 Monstera Varieties to Add to Your Collection with Names and Pictures
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Monstera Plant Varieties are evergreen plants which can climb to height of more than 60 ft on tree branches by means of aerial roots which act as hooks by attaching to the tree bark.
The aerial roots also grow into the soil to support the plant and keep it upright. Therefore, Monstera are considered as hemiepiphyte because the plant roots both into the soil and over trees.
The leaves in Monstera Plants are alternate, leathery, dark green, very large (in some species), broad, often with holes (fenestrations) in the leaf blade.
These fenestratrations allow the leaves to spread over greater area to increase sunlight exposure, and to allow light to reach other leaves below.
Monstera flowers like in other Aroids are borne on a specialised inflorescence known as a spadix while the fruit is a cluster of white berries which is edible in some species.
The genus is named, 'Monstera', is Latin for 'monstrous' or 'abnormal', in reference to the unusual leaves with natural holes which some species exhibit.
There are about 59 species in the Monstera Genus which belong to the Araceae Family and are native to the tropical regions of the Americas.
On account of their spectacular leaves, interesting growth habits and easy of care, Monstera are popular plants for home growing.
Herebelow is a list of 17 of the most popular Monstera Plants that are ideal for growing in the home.
17 Spectacular Monstera Varieties for Your Home
Our list of popular Monstera Varieties include Monstera deliciosa, Monstera dubia, Monstera siltepecana, Monstera standleyana, Monstera Peru, Monstera Burle Marx Flame, Monstera adansonii among other charming varieties.
1. Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)
Swiss Cheese Plant also called Split Leaf Philodendron, Monster Fruit, Mexican Breadfruit or Windowleaf Plant is a popular plant whose large deeply perforated leaves are a sight to behold and is easy to grow even for a beginner.
The leaves in a young Monstera deliciosa plant are smaller and entire with no lobes or holes but as they grow, the leaves become lobed and fenestrated.
Swiss Cheese Plant can grow to a height of 20 ft or more with proper care in bright to medium, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn more how to grow and care for Monstera deliciosa.
2. Monstera adansonii (Adanson's Monstera)
Adanson's Monstera also called Swiss Cheese Vine or Monkey Mask Plant bears glossy, long, ovate, light-green-colored, perforated leaves.
In the juvenille stage the stems exhibit a creeping habit, have short internodes while the leaves may be entire or perforated when only 5-10 cm long.
Adanson's Monstera can grow to a height of 13 ft and can be grown as a climber or in a hanging basket.
Monstera adansonii grows best in bright to medium, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Read more on Adanson's Monstera Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems.
3. Monstera adansonii 'Albo-Variegata'
Monstera adansonii 'Albo-Variegata' is a rare variegated version of the Monstera adansonii which bears glossy leaves with two tones of green and cream.
Variegated Monstera adansonii requires more light than the green variety as it has less chlorophyll due to the variegation.
To enhance color, grow Monstera adansonii 'Albo-Variegata' in bright bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth, above average humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil.
4. Monstera dubia
Monstera dubia is an evergreen vine which exhibits three different forms in its life stages. The plant leaves grow flat on the support structure which gives the plant the name "Shingle Plant".
In the juvenile stage, the broad oval-shaped leaves of Monstera dubia have a green base and silvery-grey variegation between dark-green veins. As it ages, these leaves develop small holes until maturity.
Eventually Monstera dubia produces large, green, fenestrated mature leaves similar to those of Monstera deliciosa. When it starts climbling, the plant grows too flat on the tree bark. Eventually, the mature leaves begin to hang from the hard stems of the plant.
Monstera dubia thrives in bright to medium, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Learn more on Monstera dubia Indoor Care Tips and 4 Propagation Methods.
5. Monstera standleyana (Five Holes Plant)
Monstera standleyana bears upright, oval, dark-green leaves which are striped with white and silvery speckles. Each leaf has a unique pattern which makes this decorative plant spectacular.
Five Holes Plant grows as a climber and can grow to a height of 12-15 ft. It can also be grown in a hanging basket. The stems have a wide, butterfly-like shape.
Monstera standleyana grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Read more on Five Holes Plant (Monstera standleyana) Care Indoors, Propagation and Problems.
6. Monstera siltepecana (Silver Monstera)
Silver Monstera also called Siltene Monstera is an evergreen vine which exhibits two different appearances in its life stages. It can be grown as a climber on a trellis or pole, in a hanging basket or in a terrarium.
In its juvenile stage, the long, oval-shaped leaves in Monstera siltepecana are bluish-gray with distinct dark-green veins. As it ages, the leaves become larger, dark-green and develop fenestrations (holes).
The Monstera siltepecana is sometimes incorrectly labelled as Silver Queen Philodendron or Philodendron siltepecana and is often mistaken for Cebu Blue Pothos.
Monstera siltepecana thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Check out this Silver Monstera (Monstera siltepecana) Indoor Care Guide.
7. Monstera deliciosa 'Albo-Variegata'
Monstera deliciosa 'Albo-Variegata' is a variegated version of Monstera deliciosa which bears white variegations on the large, perforated leaves and some leaves that are solidly half and half. This is a genetic mutation, which means the variegation occurs naturally.
Monstera Albo is slightly harder to grow than the green form as it requires brighter light away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching, much higher humidity and careful watering to avoid soggy soil which can cause browning of the leaves.
Monstera variegata can be propagated from stem cuttings but it may not breed true to type; the variegation on the leaves is not stable and may be lost and the plant can revert to the all green version.
8. Monstera deliciosa 'Aurea-Variegata'
Monstera deliciosa 'Aurea-Variegata' also called Monstera Marmota or Golden Monstera is another variegated version of Monstera deliciosa which bears yellow or lime variegations on dark-green, perforated leaves.
The variegation in Monstera Aurea varies from a splotchy pattern to ‘full moon’ leaves (leaves whose one half is green while the other half is yellow or cream).
To maintain the variegation, Golden Monstera requires bright light with some direct sunlight, average warm and above average humidity and moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
9. Monstera deliciosa Thai Constellation
Monstera deliciosa Thai Constellation is a rare cultivar of a hybrid between Monstera deliciosa and the Epipremnum pinnatum that was developed in Thailand in the late 1990s.
Monstera Thai Constellation bears cream-colored splatters on the green leaves which resemble a starry night sky and this gives it the name 'Constellation'.
Being a product of tissue culture, mass production of Monstera Thai Constellation is rather difficult and this makes the plant rare and very expensive to acquire.
10. Monstera obliqua
Monstera obliqua a rare plant that has highly perforated leaves and is often described as having more empty space than leaf; in mature plants, only about 10% of the leaf comprises of paper-thin strands of leaf blade.
Monstera obliqua is an extremely slow grower which requires delicate care and higher humidity than other Monstera varieties. These characteristics make this plant unsuitable for ordinary room conditions.
Monstera obliqua is perfect for growing in a terrarium,in fertile, well-drained as the warm, humid conditions it requires can be maintained inside a terrarium.
11. Monstera sp. Peru (Green Galaxy Monstera)
Monstera sp. Peru also called Monstera karstenianum is a fast-growing, climbing plant with thick, stiff, quilted, light-green leaves.
To enhance growth of large leaves, provide Green Galaxy Monstera with a sturdy support like a moss pole or a trellis on which it can easily climb.
Monstera Peru requires bright, indirect light, warm and moderately humid conditions and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil to thrive. Keep it away from cold drafts and hot direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.
12. Monstera pinnatipartita
Monstera pinnatipartita resembles Monstera Peru in the early stages of development but the leaves are more elongated and as it grows the leaves begin to fenestrate unlike in the latter.
Monstera pinnatipartita is a climber which requires to be provided with some support to encourage development of large leaves as well as the fenestrations on the leaves.
For lush growth, grow Monstera pinnatipartita in bright, filtered light, warm and humid conditions and evenly moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. These conditions mimick its natural habitat in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
13. Monstera acuminata
At a first glance, Monstera acuminata resembles Monstera adansonii but it has smoother and more puckered leaves which lie at a slight angle compared to the flat lying leaves in the latter.
In addition, the fenestrations in Monstera acuminata are smaller and fewer than in Monstera adansonii and the leaves are also a darker-green and oval-shaped.
Grow Monstera acuminata in bright, indirect light, warm and humidi conditions, consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil and provide it with a moss pole to enhance faster growth and fenestration of leaves.
14. Monstera subpinnata
Monstera subpinnata is an epiphytic, fast-growing vine which bears alternately arranged pinnate leaves unlike other plants in the Monstera Genus.
Monstera subpinnata can grow to a height of 6 ft and 3 ft wide when provided with the right growing conditions similar to those of its natural environment in the tropical rainforests of South America.
To thrive, Monstera subpinnata requires bright, filtered light, warm and humid conditions, moist, rich and well drained soil away from direct sunlight. It also needs to be given a sturdy support to hasten growth.
15. Monstera Burle Marx Flame
Monstera Burle Marx Flame bears shiny green leaves shaped like a skeleton which are narrow and deeply cut with outstanding white veins.
Monstera Burle Marx Flame is a hybrid of Monstera dilacerata and Philodendron insulare with origin in Central and South America. It is named after Roberto Burle Marx, the Brazilian landscape architect.
Monstera Burle Marx Flame requires bright, indirect light, warm and humid conditions, consistently moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and a moss pole to promote a lush growth.
16. Monstera lechleriana
Monstera lechleriana bears fairly narrow, arrow-shaped leaves about 10 in. long with rounded holes close to the central rib of the leaf which start off entire but fenestrate as the plant matures.
Monstera lechleriana can grow to a height of 8 ft when provided with some form of support like a moss pole or trellis.
Monstera lechleriana grows best under bright light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and evenly moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Protect it from cold drafts.
17. Monstera acacoyaguensis
Monstera acacoyaguensis a fast growing plant whose leaves do not split but they perforate, leaving the entire leaf margin intact with large holes inside which occur at random.
Monstera acacoyaguensis can grow to a height of 6 ft if it is provided with a moss pole and the correct growing conditions as those in its natural environment in Central and South America.
Monstera acacoyaguensis thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and moderately humid conditions and moist, fertile well-drained soil coupled with regular feeding.
