Monstera has been a trending houseplant for some time now and if you’ve never thought about bringing one into your home, you may be the exception rather than the rule. In nature, monstera is a climbing evergreen vine, native to warm climates from Mexico to South America. Caring for monsteras indoors is ideal, though, as they make striking houseplants with their large, split leaves.
Monstera Types
Did you know that there are many types of monstera, each one with it own charm and appeal. Are you ready to discover the different types of monstera? Read on for a short list of our favorite monstera varieties.
1. Monstera deliciosa
The classic monstera, this variety is also called the split-leaf philodendron, but it’s not a philodendron at all. It’s a tropical vining plant native to the tropics that is an extremely popular houseplant. Striking – with its dramatic size and large, shiny heart shaped split leaves – it grows fast to 15 feet tall (5m) and is quite easy-to-grow.
2. Monstera adansonii
Adanson's monstera is also known as the Swiss cheese plant because the big leaves develop holes – like Swiss cheese does – as the plant matures. This is also a vining plant with large leaves. It is also sometimes called the Little Swiss Cheese plant because it is shorter than the deliciosa and tops out at 8 feet (2.6m) indoors.
This monstera has deeply holed, almost skeletal leaves and comes in its own self-watering planter.
3. Monstera karstenianum
This type of monstera plant is also called Monstera Green Galaxy. It doesn’t have split leaves or Swiss cheese-type holes in the foliage but offers vining foliage that is a very deep shade of green and textured. The deep green veins make it exceptionally dramatic.
4. Monstera standleyana Albo-Variegata
One of the variegated monstera varieties, this type, also known as Monstera Cobra, offers delightfully different coloring rather than splits or holes. The big green leaves are streaked and splashed with ivory. It is harder to find than other types of monsteras but worth the effort.
This monstera may not have holes in its leaves, but it makes up for it in stunning variegation.
5. Monstera obliqua 'Peru'
Monstera obliqua 'Peru' – also just called monstera obliqua – is another vining Monstera species that makes an exceptional houseplant. It is an exaggerated, more dramatic version of the Swiss cheese monstera, with larger leaves with bigger “Swiss cheese” cutouts. It may be difficult to find, but what a beauty!
6. Monstera ‘Borsigiana’
This lovely monstera variety is a smaller version of the monstera deliciosa. It also has big leaves with wide lobes, but while Deliciosa leaves can grow to 3 feet (1m) long, Borsigiana leaves only get about half that big. This variety grows even faster than Deliciosa, yet the foliage remains smaller and grows neatly on stems rather than in a nesting pattern.
7. Monstera deliciosa 'Thai Constellation'
Ready to invest in a rare cultivar of monstera deliciosa? The Thai Constellation monstera is a prized houseplant thanks to its marbled, speckled leaves. Ivory and green, the leaf coloration looks almost celestial. They used to be extremely expensive but are more affordable these days. And yes, the Thai constellation also gets the split leaves of the deliciosa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many varieties of Monstera are there?
Monstera is not a plant, but a genus of 49 species of flowering plants in the arum family, Araceae. There are numerous species and cultivars.
What is the most rare Monstera?
It is impossible to say which monstera variety is the most rare, since extremely rare varieties, like the Thai Constellation, can later be mass produced.
What is the most popular Monstera?
Monstera deliciosa is among the most popular monsteras.
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