There are a lot of different types of Monsteras on the market, and it can be difficult to determine what is actually a Monstera versus what is something else, like a Philodendron. So, how do you know what Monstera you have? How many types of Monsteras are there, and how can you tell them apart?
There are 45 recognized species of Monstera, including the Monstera Deliciosa and the Monstera Adansonii. Of the 45 species that are recognized, only a handful can be purchased from retailers. Telling them apart comes down to species characteristics, like leaf size and shape, and overall plant size.
This article will focus on some of the most common types of Monsteras and will go into detail on how to distinguish them and what kinds of care they need. Monstera fans, read on!
What All Monsteras Have in Common
Though everyone is most familiar with the Monstera Deliciosa, the term “Monstera” is the name of a genus of plants that encompasses 45 different species. This genus inhabits the tropical regions of Central and South America. The Monstera genus belongs to the Araceae family.
Each of the 45 different species of Monstera has its own unique traits that help distinguish it from the others. However, there are a few things that they all have in common. All Monsteras are vines characterized by their large, dark green, and waxy leaves. Many also develop aerial roots to help them climb into the upper levels of the canopy, where sunlight becomes more available.
Though some species look very delicate, Monsteras are collectively hardy and very easy to care for. Their classifications as tropical plants can confuse some people on their needs, so it’s essential to make sure you have a clear understanding of what exactly a Monstera needs to thrive.
All Monsteras prefer at least six hours of bright, indirect sunlight a day. Direct sunlight can damage the plant, causing the leaves to burn and curl, and should be avoided if possible. Too little sunlight can stunt a Monsteras growth, which becomes especially important when caring for variegated varieties that require more sunlight.
Because they are tropical plants, Monsteras prefer to be exposed to a lot of humidity; ideally, a well-lit bathroom makes the perfect home for any species of Monstera. This isn’t always feasible, though, so there are plenty of accommodations that can be made to ensure a Monstera has enough humidity.
Monsteras should never be left to sit in sopping wet soil. Watering should be done when the top inch or so of soil is dry. Keeping a Monstera too moist can damage its roots, encouraging different kinds of rot that will seriously harm the plant if not addressed.
All varieties of Monstera can flower, which is why they belong to the Araceae family. However, it’s pretty rare for an indoor Monstera to produce any flowers. When kept outdoors or found in the wild, a fully-grown Monstera will produce flowers similar to those of Peace Lilies and Elephant Ears. These will develop into a white fruit, some species of which can be eaten.
Monsteras can all be propagated from a cutting. When propagating a Monstera, cuttings are usually taken from underneath a node, which is a point on the plant that can grow roots. From there, the cutting can either be put in soil or water, depending on personal preference and allowed to root.
Monstera Deliciosa
The Monstera Deliciosa is the most common variety of Monstera currently kept as houseplants. They can grow up to 8 feet tall when kept indoors, preferring to have some kind of structure to climb on, and are well-known for their enormous leaves. In a well-established Monstera deliciosa, the plant’s leaves can reach up to 3 feet wide and are filled with fenestrations.
Fenestrations are one of the key characteristics of this species of Monstera. In a Deliciosa, the fenestrations generally cut through the edges of the leaves, producing the long “fingers” that make the plant so unique.
The Monstera deliciosa is indigenous to southern Mexico, extending down into Panama. They have become an invasive species in several other parts of the world, including Hawaii and Florida, because of how quickly they grow. This Monstera is also known for its large, edible fruit, which takes up to a year to grow. Once harvested, the fruit must ripen before it can be eaten—it tastes like a cross between a banana and a pineapple.
Caring for the Monstera Deliciosa is the same as for all Monsteras: a lot of humidity, moderate watering, and bright, indirect sunlight. Given the right conditions, this plant can grow rapidly and aggressively, putting out a lot of new growth during its growing period. For a full guide on taking care of this type of Monstera, click here.
Thai Constellation
Thai Constellations are becoming increasingly popular in houseplant communities because of their bizarre coloring, a type of variegation that results in the plant looking speckled. Though there is conflicting information online, Thai Constellations are just a variation of Monstera Deliciosa, not their own species.
Created by Costa Farms, the Thai Constellation is in high-demand, which can make them expensive to purchase and challenging to find. The cost of cuttings can get into the hundreds online, with fully-grown plants in the thousands of dollars… thankfully, though, the accessibility of these plants is increasing, and the price is slowly dropping.
Thai Constellations need pretty much the same care as a regular Monstera Deliciosa but would benefit from slightly more bright sunlight due to the white patches on the leaves that can’t absorb sunlight as well.
Monstera Borsigiana
Another variety of Monstera Deliciosa, the Borsigiana, is difficult to differentiate from a regular Monstera Deliciosa. In fact, some houseplant enthusiasts completely dismiss their unofficial classification as a sub-species of the Deliciosa.
Borisgianas tend to present themselves as smaller versions of the Monstera Deliciosa that grow more quickly but still retain most of the larger plant’s traits. In an older plant, the fenestrations of the Borisigiana are more orderly, making that one way to distinguish between the two.
Monstera Adansonii
A completely different species of Monstera, the Adansonii is much smaller than its Deliciosa relative. Though they share similar traits, like being climbers, the Adansonii works well as a trailing plant and doesn’t require a moss pole to support it.
The Monstera Adansonii is unique in its holes, which don’t split the leaf-like the fenestrations of the Monstera Deliciosa. Instead, the leaves develop a lace-like quality, making them appear delicate and picturesque. While their leaves can get large, they tend to stay on the smaller side, making them less visually-commanding than their Deliciosa counterpart.
The care for the Adansonii is functionally the same as all Monsteras. Lots of bright lot, plenty of humidity, and regular watering. For more information on Monstera Adansonii, click here.
Monstera Standleyana
Another species of Monstera, the Standleyana is often referred to as the Five Holes Plant despite not having fenestrations. This can make it difficult to find a true example of what this plant looks like.
The Standleyana is characterized by ovular, oblong leaves that have small variegations. They are also often labeled as Philodendrons but are not related to that genus.
The care recommended for the Monstera Standleyana is fairly similar to that of other Monsteras, but many sellers recommend at least partial shade.
Monstera Obliqua
The Monstera Obliqua is arguably one of the most beautiful and bizarre plants that exist! This is not a species that can be purchased for the common collector and is almost exclusively found in botanical gardens.
The Obliqua’s extremely thin leaves are predominantly filled with holes, making them very delicate. Some sellers will mislabel an Adansonii as an Obliqua due to their similar structures, but this can quickly be confirmed by comparing the plant to available pictures. There is no mistaking an Obliqua, which seems to be almost more holes than leaf.
What Type of Monstera Do I Have?
If you have any questions about the type of Monstera that you have, a quick search for pictures of the different species can help you home in on what yours may be. The key thing to look at is your Monstera’s holes.
A Deliciosa will almost always have fenestrations that divide the leaf, making them easy to identify. Adansoniis have holes within the leaves that don’t split the leaf. Standleyanas don’t have any holes.
Many sellers have different names for the varieties of Monsteras they sell, which is why you may see a Monstera named something that isn’t listed here or that you can’t find much information about online. The varieties that include the term “Albo” are an example of this and generally refer to the presence of variegations on the leaves. This is especially common with Monstera Deliciosas.
Etsy is an excellent resource when trying to determine if you have one of these varieties. Searching through what sellers have can help you determine if you have a unique Monstera, such as a Thai Constellation, or are just fortunate to have some variegations.
