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.

Monstera varieties :: Leaf and paw

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.

Not all of these photos are mine, some are by some lovely IG plant parents. Be sure to check out their Instagram link in the caption and support their obsession with plants, too.

Monstera deliciosa

Mature Monstera deliciosa - leaf and paw

Monstera albo borsigiana

Monstera deliciosa albo
Photo by Anna, @littleandlush

Monstera deliciosa albo

White leaf Monstera deliciosa albo
Photo by Craig, @craigmilran

Monstera deliciosa aurea

Monstera deliciosa aurea
Photo by Craig, @craigmilran

Monstera obliqua

Monstera obliqua
Photo by Mick, @mickmitty

Monstera adansonii (narrow leaf)

Monstera adonsonii

Monstera adansonii (round form)

Monstera adonsonii
Photo by Alina, @alina.fassakhova

Monstera adonsonii variegata

Monstera adonsonii variegata
Photo by Dinh @dinhhan_kiro

Monstera pinnatipartita 

Monstera pinnatipartita
Photo by Craig, @craigmilran

Monstera borsigiana

Monstera borsigiana - leaf and paw
Photo by Kate, @plantmomphl

Monstera dubia

Monstera dubia - leaf and paw
Photo by Craig, @craigmilran

Monstera siltepecana

Monstera siltepecana - leaf and paw
Photo by Alice, @aliceinplanterland

Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (called Mini monstera, not really a monstera)

Mini monstera - leaf and paw
Photo by Anna, @littleandlush

Some of these Monsteras are easy to get confused by, so here are are common misunderstandings:

  • Monstera obliqua is very rare and can be confused 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. They’re actually part of the tetetrasperma genus.

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. I’ve seen extremely rare Monstera obliqua cuttings sell for over 2K on ebay. Yowzers.

Monstera albo - leaf and paw
Photo by Craig, @craigmilran

Do you know of a monstera that I missed? Leave a comment!