Most monsteras sold are one species, Monstera deliciosa, in green or variegated forms. A second species, M. adansonii, is the common smaller vine. The rest are collector plants: silver-leaved M. siltepecana, speckled M. standleyana, tiny M. dubia and the rare, lace-like M. obliqua.

All are climbing aroids from tropical America. What separates them is leaf size, how fast they grow and how much light the variegated forms need.

Monstera types at a glance

Descriptions are from NC State Extension, RHS plant entries and University of Missouri, Penn State and UW–Madison Extension.

MonsteraLeafSize indoorsLightNotes
M. deliciosaLarge, glossy, heart-shaped; cut and perforated when mature1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft)Bright, not direct sunRapid; needs sturdy support
M. deliciosa ‘Albo Variegata’White-variegated; somewhat smaller than the speciesAs M. deliciosaBrighter than green formsRare and expensive (NC State)
M. deliciosa ‘Borsigiana Variegata’Large, slit leaves with cream and green patterningLeaves nearly 0.9 m (3 ft) longPlenty of bright, indirect light’Borsigiana’ is a synonym of M. deliciosa
M. deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’Marbled and speckled cream and greenFuller and more compactBrighter than green formsShorter internodes (Penn State)
M. adansoniiSmaller, heart-shaped, with oval holes0.9–2.4 m (3–8 ft) on a supportBright, indirectRapid; ‘Archipelago’ is variegated
M. siltepecana (silver monstera)Juvenile: small, silvery green, dark veins; adult: dark green, perforated1.5–2.4 m (5–8 ft)Bright, indirectStays juvenile if left to trail
M. standleyanaDark green, pointed, cream-speckled1–1.5 m (3–5 ft)Bright, indirectSlow; ‘Albo-Variegata’ and ‘Aurea-Variegata’
M. dubiaHeart-shaped, silvery green, mosaic veining0.5–1 m (1.5–3 ft)Bright, indirectThe most compact; slow
M. obliquaThin, glossy, more hole than leaf1–1.5 m (3–5 ft)Bright, indirectVery rare, very slow, needs high humidity
M. ‘Peru’ (M. karstenianum)Shiny, leathery, dark green, no holesSmallNeeds more light than mostMissouri suggests it for beginners

Monstera deliciosa and its cultivars

Monstera deliciosa comes from Mexico to Panama. NC State notes it can climb to 21 m (70 ft) in the wild but stays 1.8–2.4 m (6–8 ft) in most homes. It is not a philodendron, despite the old name “split-leaf philodendron”.

Only mature leaves carry holes and splits. UW–Madison Extension notes young plants have small leaves without lobes or holes, and that plants in inadequate light will not develop the perforations. If yours has solid leaves, see Monstera deliciosa with no fenestration.

‘Borsigiana’ is a label, not a separate plant. Kew’s Plants of the World Online treats M. deliciosa var. borsigiana as a synonym of M. deliciosa. University of Missouri Extension describes the variegated form, ‘Borsigiana Variegata’, as among the most sought-after monsteras. It suggests keeping the mix moist but not soggy, watering a little more than plain M. deliciosa.

‘Albo Variegata’ (also ‘Variegata’ and ‘Albovariegata’) has white-variegated foliage. UW–Madison Extension notes the leaves tend to be somewhat smaller than the species.

‘Thai Constellation’ has a marbled and speckled cream and green pattern. Penn State Extension notes shorter internodes make it fuller and more compact. See our Thai Constellation care guide for its specific problems.

For every variegated form, NC State notes more light is needed than for darker green plants. If new leaves come out solid green, see variegated monstera reverting to green. For light levels, see variegated monstera light requirements.

Monstera adansonii

Monstera adansonii, the five-hole plant or Swiss cheese vine, comes from southern Mexico to tropical America. NC State describes heart-shaped leaves with oval holes, smaller than those of M. deliciosa, on a fast-growing vine.

With a trellis or moss pole it reaches 0.9–2.4 m (3–8 ft) tall indoors. NC State recommends bright, indirect light and warns that direct sun scorches the leaves. Keep it above 10 °C (50 °F) and out of cold drafts.

Our Monstera deliciosa vs adansonii comparison covers telling them apart. The adansonii care guide and adansonii propagation cover the rest.

Silver monstera (Monstera siltepecana)

NC State describes two leaf stages. Juvenile leaves are small, lance-shaped and silvery green with dark green veins. Adult leaves are larger, perforated and dark green.

Which you get depends on support. Left to trail in a hanging basket or terrarium, the leaves stay juvenile. Staked on a moss pole, the plant climbs and produces adult leaves at the top.

NC State recommends 16–35 °C (60–95 °F), 40–60% humidity, and watering when the top 2.5–5 cm (1–2 in) is dry. ‘El Salvador’ is a compact cultivar with large, lance-shaped silver-green leaves.

Small and rare species: standleyana, dubia, obliqua and Peru

The RHS describes all three species below as compact, slow-growing trailers. Grow them in bright, indirect light with moderate to high humidity, and keep them barely moist in winter.

  • M. standleyana has dark green, pointed leaves with cream-white speckles. Missouri Extension notes the variegated form ‘Albo-Variegata’ is also known as “cobra philodendron”, and ‘Aurea-Variegata’ has golden-yellow variegation.
  • M. dubia has heart-shaped, silvery green leaves with mosaic-like veining. Perforations develop as it matures.
  • M. obliqua has thin, glossy leaves with many perforations. Missouri Extension calls it one of the rarest species and gives its humidity need as about 85%. If a cheap, fast-growing vine is labelled obliqua, compare it with M. adansonii.
  • M. ‘Peru’ has shiny, leathery, dark green leaves without holes. Missouri Extension notes it needs more light than many monsteras.

Care that applies to every monstera

  • Light: bright light but not direct sun (Penn State). UW–Madison notes leaves will not perforate in inadequate light.
  • Water: water thoroughly, then let the top quarter to third of the mix dry (NC State). Water less in winter (UW–Madison). See watering: wet mix vs thirst.
  • Temperature: 16–29 °C (60–85 °F). UW–Madison notes plants do not grow below 10 °C (50 °F).
  • Humidity: above 50% (Penn State). Leaf edges brown when the air is too dry (UW–Madison).
  • Support: a sturdy moss pole or bark support for the aerial roots, so stems do not break. See does monstera need a moss pole.
  • Pests: the RHS lists scale insects and red spider mite.

Our Monstera deliciosa care guide and the monstera plant hub cover problems in more depth.

Pets

The ASPCA lists Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) as toxic to dogs and cats. Insoluble calcium oxalates cause oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth, tongue and lips, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing.

The ASPCA does not list the other species individually. NC State lists M. adansonii and M. siltepecana as problems for cats and dogs, and notes the sap of M. adansonii can irritate skin. The RHS lists M. obliqua, M. dubia and M. standleyana as harmful if eaten and as skin and eye irritants. Wear gloves when pruning.

References