Guide: More Monstera Varieties To Love
Did you know Monstera is actually a genus that includes over 30 different varieties? While I’ve been over here smitten with the Monstera deliciosa, I couldn’t believe that there was much more Monstera to love. So, if you’re looking to expand your Monstera collection, here’s a good place to start.
Most likely you’ve seen my Plant Portrait about the Monstera deliciosa and may or may not have propagated your own by now. I took full advantage of the plethora of photos popping up of different Monstera on Instagram, and with its help, built this list of swoon-worthy Monstera varieties.
I’m a good person and fully embedded the owners’ photos. Yeah, there might be some IG “stuff” and comments, but be sure to check out their Instagram, and support their obsession with plants, too.
Monstera deliciosa
Monstera variegata
Monstera obliqua
Monstera adansonii
Monstera pinnatipartita
Monstera borsigiana
Monstera dubia
Monstera siltepecana
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (Mini monstera)
Some of these Monsteras are easy to get confused by, so here are are common misunderstandings:
- Monstera obliqua is very rare and is commonly mistaken for Monstera adansonii. If you look above, the obliqua’s leaves are crazy thin and tissue-like while the adansonii has sturdy, fatter leaves. You’re definitely seeing adansonii for sale everywhere, not obliqua.
- Monstera deliciosa and monstera borsigiana are almost identical. The only different feature is borsigiana are typically smaller in every way – leaves, stature, holes. It’s usually hard to tell with young plants, but you can see adult specimens are always slightly smaller than their deliciosa sistas.
- Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (the last photo) is seriously gorgeous, but not technically a Monstera. They’re commonly called mini monsteras, and looks monstera like with their large leaf cuts, so they made my list. Plus, I want one.
Remember, all Monstera varieties are toxic to pets. Since they are part of the Araceae family (the same as Dieffenbachia and Philodendrons, which are also unsafe), I urge plant parents to think about acquiring new Monsteras, especially since they can be rather expensive. In December, an extremely rare Monstera obliqua cutting sold for $500 on eBay. Yowzers.
Do you know of a monstera that I missed? Leave a comment!
Monsteras ARE poisonous to humans and pets. Only its fruits are safe to eat once ripe.
I just discovered this blog, and I love it. I’m getting a cat soon, and the only non-toxic plant I have is a Monstera. Is there a way for me to tell if she is going to eat or mess with it?
Thanks Priscilla! I always tell new pet owners to watch your pet with your plants very carefully and monitor them for a week or so. In addition to watching, monitor the plant for chew marks. Do not leave pets alone with a plant unless you know they are not interested, but a few weeks should tell you if they care or not. I would still keep your monstera on a plant stand so it is at least off the ground, cats like to dig in soil too.