Here’s a detailed Monstera Albo Care and Growing Guide to help you quickly grow this vivid, beautiful plant at home!
If you are looking for a small indoor plant that looks unique and stands out with its vivid colors, continue reading this informative Monstera Albo Care and Growing Guide.
Botanical Name: Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo Borsigiana’
USDA Zones: 9-11
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Monstera Albo Plant Information
Monstera Albo is a subspecies of the more popular Monstera deliciosa and is most loved for its naturally occurring variegation and the large patches of white. Although this plant can produce flowers, it is not common when grown indoors. Moreover, the flowers are not so significant compared to the stunning foliage.
This easy-to-grow and low-maintenance perennial plant can live happily in partial or complete shade. However, it grows faster and better in bright, indirect sunlight. You should note that it is poisonous to pets and should be kept out of reach of children.
Here’s all the info about getting split leaves on Monstera.
How To Propagate Monstera Albo?
Follow these set of instructions to propagate Monstera Albo via stem cutting:
- Use a pair of sharp scissors or pruning shears to take stem cuttings from a healthy guardian plant. Make sure to take cuttings with at least 1-3 nodes on the stem with at least 1-2 leaves at the top.
- Remove any leaves from the bottom to expose the nodes and allow at least one leaf to remain at the top.
- Then, you can dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone powder and leave them aside for 2-3 days. Once that is done, you should choose your rooting media, water, perlite, and sphagnum moss.
- To use perlite or sphagnum moss, you must pre-moisten it and prepare it in a small container.
- If growing in water, take a clear glass container, fill it with fresh water, and refresh it once every 2-4 days.
- Add the cuttings to the medium and ensure the leaves are not submerged in soil or water.
- Once you notice the roots are at least 2-4 inches long or after 2-4 weeks, you can transfer each cutting to an individual pot containing suitable soil.
- Place the containers in a spot that enjoys indirect but bright sunlight and water them to keep the soil consistently moist for 1-2 weeks.
- Resume usual care.
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Requirements for Growing Monstera Albo
Light
Provide your Monstera Albo with 6-8 hours of bright and indirect sunlight daily. Keep the plant from direct sunlight exposure, as the variegated parts are sensitive to sunburn. This plant does not produce bright variegation in low-light conditions.
Soil
Grow your Albo in well-draining, rich soil, and make the best medium by combining orchid bark, coco peat, perlite, and coco coir in equal parts.
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You can mix some worm castings as natural fertilizers for the best results.
Water
The tropical plant cannot tolerate overwatering, so allow the top layer of the soil to dry out slightly before you water. Always water whenever the top 1-3 inches of the soil feels dry to your touch.
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Temperature
The Monstera Albo, like any other tropical plant, prefers hot and humid growing conditions. It does best in warm temperatures between 65-80°F or 18-26°C. It makes for an excellent houseplant in USDA zones 9-11 and can be grown in the shaded outdoor area in other lesser warmer zones.
Humidity
This tropical species needs 60-75 percent humidity which can be higher than any average household humidity level. You can install a humidifier near the plant to increase the moisture level.
Alternatively, you can group your tropical plants or grow them in the kitchen or bathroom.
Tip: It is ideal for providing a moss pole for the plant to grow healthier, larger leaves. This vining plant climbs trees in its natural habitat and can do better with support when grown indoors.
Know the secret for lush Monstera here
Monstera Albo Care
Fertilizer
The variegated foliage of Albos needs more feeding than the common deliciosas. Also, monsters are prone to over-fertilizing, so it is essential to do it right.
Feed your plant using a balanced liquid fertilizer, after diluting it to 1/2 of its strength, once every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer. Do not feed the plant during fall and winter as it enters a dormant stage.
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Potting and Repotting
Monstera Albo is a slow-growing houseplant that only needs repotting once every 2-3 years. The best time to repot the plant is in spring or summer. Choose a container that is only one size bigger than the existing one or 2-4 inches wider.
First, carefully remove the plant from its old container and tug at the rootball gently to loosen it. Be careful not to break any roots. Shake the old soil as much as possible, then place the root ball in the new container. Fill it with fresh potting soil and water it deeply—resume usual care.
Pests & Diseases
Watch for common pests such as scales, aphids, thrips, mealybugs, fungus gnats, and spider mites. You should inspect your plants regularly to know of the infestation at an early stage. Apply diluted insecticide to the plant as a preventive step.
Do not overwater the plant to avoid any chances of root rot.
Monstera leaves turning yellow? Click here to save your plant now!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Monstera Albo is So Expensive?
Monstera albo is one of the rarest and most sought-after plants in the Monstera family, making it highly sought after by plant collectors and enthusiasts, resulting in its high cost. Its unique white variegation on its leaves adds to its rarity, making it a desirable plant for many. Furthermore, as a slow-growing plant, it takes a long time to propagate and cultivate, resulting in a higher cost.
2. Do I need to Mist the Leaves of Monstera Albo?
Yes, monstera albo plants need to be misted regularly to keep the leaves moist and to discourage spider mites. It’s best to mist the leaves in the morning to give them time to dry before nightfall.
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3. How Quickly Do Monstera Albos Grow?
Monstera albos typically grow relatively slowly, typically only growing a few inches each year. This is due to their slow-growing nature and their preference for warm, humid climates.
4. Difference Between a Monstera Albo and Other Monsteras?
The main difference between a Monstera albo and other Monsteras is in their leaves. Monstera albo has white variegation on its leaves, which is caused by a lack of chlorophyll in certain sections of the leaves. This makes them stand out from other Monstera species, which all have green leaves. Other Monstera species may also have unique patterns or perforations on their leaves, but none have the white variegation that Monstera albo has.
5. Does Monstera Albo Grow Fast?
Monstera Albo can be quite a slow grower compared to other Monstera varieties. This is because the white parts of its leaves have less chlorophyll, which means they don’t produce as much energy for the plant as the green parts. That being said, Monstera Albo can still grow relatively quickly if it’s given the right conditions, such as bright but indirect light, a well-draining soil mix, and regular watering and fertilizing.
6. Can I put Monstera Albo in the water?
While Monstera Albo can propagate in water, it’s generally not recommended to keep the plant in water long-term as it can lead to root rot. If you’re interested in propagating your Monstera Albo in water, you can do so by taking a stem cutting with a few nodes and placing it in a container of water until roots develop. Once the roots have formed, you should transplant the cutting into the soil as soon as possible.
Learn How to Treat Root Rot in Houseplants Like a Pro here
7. How long do Monsteras Last?
The lifespan of a Monstera can vary depending on several factors, such as growing conditions, care, and genetics. In general, Monstera plants are known to be long-lived and can last for many years with proper care. Some Monstera plants have been known to live for several decades and can grow quite large with proper care.
8. Is Monstera high maintenance?
Monstera plants are generally considered to be low-maintenance plants, making them a great choice for beginners or those with busy lifestyles. They’re adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions and can tolerate some neglect. However, like any plant, Monstera plants do have some basic care requirements that need to be met in order for them to thrive. Just make sure you give your Monstera the proper care by following our tips, and it will keep thriving.
