Monstera is a gorgeous, popular indoor houseplant known for its natural rips inside its leaves. There are many varieties you can select from, which we’ll cover in this guide.
Different monstera varieties: Most monstera varieties are known for their fenestrations, or holes, that they develop naturally in their leaves. However, there are some varieties that do not do this. You can find monstera plants that are bushy and others that are climbing vines.
Popular Monstera Varieties
There are 48 different species of monstera plants although only a handful is easy to come by. Monstera plants live in tropical environments and can grow incredibly tall, so cultivating varieties for home use means some are simply not suitable for your living room.
Monstera Deliciosa
Those that fall in love with monstera’s infamous design will be most familiar with this classic variety. It also goes by the name of the “Swiss Cheese Plant.”
Monstera Deliciosa has large leaves that have a traditional heart shape to them, with the ends gradually tapering together. These leaves will naturally split in the middle, although if they don’t have the right growing conditions, such as enough sunlight or water, the leaves may not split.
Be careful if you go with this variety as it can grow to be quite large. If not pruned, you can have a plant that is up to 15 feet tall, which means it will be the true focal point of any room.
Monstera Variegata
Think of this variety as the classic form of a monstera plant but with white accents. Monstera Variegata is actually just a Monstera Deliciosa plant but has leaves that are both green and white in color. It has a different name to avoid confusion.
Each plant in this variety will be vastly different as the color combination will always be unique. You may find some leaves are all green and others are all white, or you may have leaves that are a combination of the colors.
There can be blocks of white on the leaves or a marbled pattern that combines green and white. This is a real showstopper plant that looks artificial but is completely real.
Monstera Dubia
Classified as a shingling vine, this variety is neatly uniform and perfect if you crave a bit of order in your room. The leaves lie flat on a surface instead of sticking out like other vine varieties.
As the Monstera Dubia matures, you can expect changes from the leaves, including the foliage that has a split-leaf quality to them.
While this variety will grow very large in the wild, you can expect a much tamer look in your home.
Monstera adansonii
Those wanting a more vertical option will be impressed by this variety. It is sometimes nicknamed “Swiss Cheese Vine” as it is able to climb.
Even though this variety can grow fairly long, it is a smaller plant and you can keep it in check with constant pruning. The leaves are long and narrow and instead of splits in the middle of them, you often get very large holes.
The Monstera Adansonii plant can grow up to 20 feet tall and needs structural support to start growing. It is easy to train and you can move its length into the right position so it doesn’t accidentally take over your whole living room.
Monstera Standleyana
This is a variety that won’t create holes in its leaves, so be sure you are okay with this aspect before purchase. In fact, what you see as a juvenile plant will be relatively the same as it matures, just on a slightly bigger scale.
The Monstera Standleyana has leaves that are shaped like a lance, meaning they are narrower than other varieties. Against the dark green color, you will often see specks of white for a more unique look.
Monstera Esqueleto
This is a variety that changes a lot as it matures, so be ready for some amazing transitions. While the foliage starts out with some holes, they really expand as the plant ages.
In fact, you can have a plant that looks like it has skeleton leaves, with more open space than leaf space. Furthermore, the stems of the plant undergo some changes, making them have a very distinct texture.
This variety will grow quite large and you want to be careful with the leaves as they can break easily thanks to all the open spaces.
Monstera Obliqua
Some monstera varieties can grow quite large but there are a few that are on the smaller size, such as the Monstera Obliqua. This is an excellent option if you live in a smaller space and don’t want your houseplant to take over.
Despite the size, you can still expect quite a few holes in its leaves. In fact, sometimes the holes take up more space than the leaves, which leads to a very unique-looking pattern.
This variety is harder to tend to as it requires a lot of humidity. Furthermore, because of the large holes, the leaves are very fragile.
Monstera Pinnatipartita
When this variety is young, it does not look like a monstera plant, so be sure to double-check the tag and try to be patient. In its juvenile state, holes won’t form in the leaves but they will start to develop as the plant matures.
The Monstera Pinnatipartita is another climbing vine variety, so you will want to provide support as it starts to grow. The leaves are a lighter green color that has a tropical jungle look to them.
Monstera Subpinnata
This variety is hard to find as it is pretty rare. If you really want it, you will have to special order it from a gardening center or from an online store.
The foliage fans out in a gorgeous manner and there is plenty of fenestration to behold. The green color is similar to palm trees as the leaves separate in a wide manner.
Monstera Siltepecana
While monstera plants are known for their holes, this variety doesn’t actually have any when it is young. It still looks gorgeous but make sure you have the right variety or you may end up disappointed.
The full-leaf variety has a lovely sheen to it with green and white patterns and traditional heart-shaped leaves. You can expect holes to form in the leaves after the plant is a year or two, so some patience is needed.
Monstera Karstenianum
Be very prepared when you purchase this variety because it will not develop holes, also known as fenestrations, even as the plant starts to mature. The leaves will stay fully intact.
This variety has a lovely, waxy sheen to the leaves that really stand out. The dark, emerald green color will brighten any room and the leaves can grow to be quite large.
Monstera Karstenianum is another vine variety, so keep this in mind when you are deciding where to place it. It can very easily take over an entire room.
Monstera Acuminata
The smooth texture of this variety’s leaves is what really sets them apart, so you may have to feel your way around the foliage to know for certain what kind of plant you have. The smooth, dark green leaves are absolutely beautiful.
The Monstera Acuminata variety is nice if you have a compact space as its foliage is smaller than other varieties. You can still expect the leaves to split in the middle, however.
If you leave this plant on its own, it will remain bushy but there is also the option to train it as a vine if you would like.
Rhaphidophora Testrasperma
Also known as “Mini Montera” this plant isn’t actually in the monstera family, hence the scientific name. However, its leaves have that fenestration look, so they are often classified in this category.
This plant is smaller than most monsteras, so a good option if you are short on space. Holes do form in the plant but unlike true monstera plants, where the holes stop before they reach the edge of the leaves, with this one, the holes reach the end creating split-leaf designs.
The plant has a dark green color and is easy to care for, so if you want to have a few different plants together that complement each other, this is a good option.
What is the most popular Monstera?
By far, the most popular variety in the monstera family is the Monstera Deliciosa. This is the standard plant that most people think of.
The variety has large, heart-shaped leaves with classic fenestrations in the middle. It has earned its nickname as the “Swiss Cheese Plant” for good reason.
Which Monstera is the rarest?
There are a few rare types of monstera plants, and one of them is the Monstera Obliqua. It is smaller in size than other options but unfortunately, can be hard to find.
Conclusion
There are many types of monstera plants to choose from. While most have holes or fenestrations in the leaves, others are solid. You can find different shades of green in your plants and choose from standard plants or climbing vines.
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