Monstera deliciosa Albo Variegata

From Mexican lowlands to cloud forest

Monstera deliciosa is native to southern Mexico and Guatemala. Wild plants grow from warm lowlands into humid foothill and cloud forest, climbing trees, spreading across the ground or growing over rock.

Care for fenestrated aroid roots and climbing growth

Growth and support: A strong vertical support is essential as the stem and leaves gain weight. Fasten the stem loosely and direct aerial roots towards the support or pot.

Leaf care: Prune persistent all-green or all-white growth to the last node where both green and white are visible in the stem. Keep enough green leaf area to sustain new growth.

Light: Change exposure gradually and judge the position from growth as well as colour. More light cannot add white to a stem that has reverted to green.

Watering: Once the rootball surface has dried a little, water evenly until excess leaves the drainage holes. Empty any outer pot so the roots are not left in trapped water.

Troubleshooting patterned leaves and climbing growth in Monstera deliciosa Albo Variegata

Normal leaf pattern and shape

Greener or whiter shoots arise from the colour pattern surrounding each bud. Persistent one-colour growth can be removed at the nearest node where green and white meet. Keep firm patterned tissue and assess later nodes; treatment is unnecessary unless the colour change is accompanied by distortion or decline.

Yellowing, wilt or brown edges

Yellowing or wilt while the mix remains wet means the roots may be failing. Tip out the plant before adding more water or nutrients. Remove roots that are completely soft or hollow and replace collapsed substrate. Choose the new container from the living root mass, not from the leaf size.

Spots, scorch or physical damage

Dead white tissue cannot regain colour. Sound white sections can stay attached, and improvement appears in later leaves without expanding damage. Move the plant away from the collection when wet spots appear or grow. Water the potting mix rather than the leaves. Raised orange-brown powder may be an active leaf problem, so separate the vine and keep the leaves dry.

Pest signs on leaves and nodes

A brown patch limited to the side recently exposed to stronger sun is likely scorch. Damage along many margins calls for inspection of water supply, roots and fertiliser deposits. Pale feeding streaks with black droppings on a newly opened leaf suggest thrips a single clean tear alongside the support is usually physical damage. Old leaf bases and nodes can conceal small brown scales or tufts of mealybug wax. Their sugary liquid, called honeydew, leaves the nearby leaf or stem tacky. Remove visible insects and use a treatment matched to the pest. Test a small white-and-green area before treating the entire vine.

The change does not match the established leaf pattern

Leave several healthy green leaves on the vine when pruning. A shoot with very little green may slow because it produces less energy for continued growth.

Monstera deliciosa Albo Variegata is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Monstera deliciosa: name and meaning

Monstera comes from Latin monstrum or monstrosus, words for something unusual or abnormally formed, referring to the striking holes and divisions in the leaves. The Latin epithet deliciosa means delicious, referring to the edible ripe fruit.

Michel Adanson established the genus Monstera in 1763 in Familles des plantes, volume 2, page 470.

Frederik Michael Liebmann first described Monstera deliciosa in 1849 in Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra den Naturhistoriske Forening i Kjøbenhavn, volume 1, page 19.