Variegated monstera varieties are making a splash on social media and the houseplant industry, and one of the most sought-after varieties is monstera deliciosa borsigiana, aka monstera albo. 

This subspecies of monstera deliciosa is slightly smaller than a true deliciosa and doesn’t have the characteristic “ruffles” where the stem attaches to the leaf. But the cell mutation responsible for the variegation produces some truly spectacular blocks and splashes of white among the green. 

There are no seeds for monstera albo, and this plant can only be propagated from cuttings and by separation. Luckily, these plants tend to retain their variegation through cuttings more readily than other species of variegated monsteras.

Here are our tips for buying and caring for this beautiful monstera variety!

How to Buy a Monstera Albo Borsigiana 

Monstera albo can’t be grown from seeds and mature plants are very difficult (but not impossible) to find. 

Your best bet is to find a cutting from a private owner. There are a few different ways to do this.

eBay

You can sometimes find rare plants and cuttings, including monstera albo, on eBay. We suggest setting up keyword alerts so that when one becomes available, you’ll get a notification!

It’s also a good idea to read the seller ratings and reviews to make sure they have a good history of selling and shipping healthy plants. Plant cuttings are delicate, so do your research and make sure it’s a quality seller!

Etsy

Etsy is a fantastic place to find plants! Just search “monstera albo,” “variegated monstera,” and related terms on Etsy and you might find a listing or two for monstera albo!

As with eBay, you’ll want to check seller ratings and reviews to make sure you’re buying from someone trustworthy. It’s also a good idea to check their return policy to see if you’ll be protected if your cutting arrives in bad shape. 

Facebook Marketplace

You know the drill! Search the keywords you want to see if any monstera albos are available, then read up on the seller to make sure they’re legit. 

Your local Craigslist might also be a good place to check, but you run more risk of getting a poor cutting this way. 

If all else fails, Google it.

Some online plant shops may occasionally sell monstera albo cuttings, so it’s worth a Google search every once in a while! As always, make sure to read ratings and reviews to avoid getting scammed.

How to Care for Monstera Albo

If you do manage to get your hands on a monstera albo, know this: variegated monsteras can be tricky to care for. The beautiful white coloring means that these plants have less chlorophyll than regular monsteras, which means they’ll have a harder time converting sunlight to energy.

Here’s how to ensure that your monstera albo cutting has the best chance of survival and growing up into a big, beautiful plant!

Plenty of light

Because of the lack of chlorophyll, your monstera albo will need lots of bright, indirect sunlight. Place near a bright window that faces south or east but where it will never be in the sun’s direct rays. If you can’t provide enough natural light, you may need to supplement with a grow light. 

The right soil

Make sure to plant your cutting in a pot with drainage and use a rich, loamy soil. Try a light, indoor potting mix with a few handfuls of peat moss mixed in.

Water

Your cutting will need evenly moist soil to thrive, so try watering when the top inch or two feels dry, or when a moisture meter reads about a 4. Water until it starts to drain, then empty the drainage tray immediately.

Humidity

Monsteras are tropical plants and variegated monstera leaves are extra sensitive, so you’ll want to provide enough humidity to keep your leaves supple and soft. Place the pot on a pebble tray (a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water) or set up a humidifier nearby.

Fertilize

Your Monstera Albo Borsigiana will need the right nutrients to form healthy roots, sturdy stems, and those beautiful variegated leaves. So about a month after planting, start fertilizing regularly with Monstera Plant Food to give your cutting the nutrition it needs!

You’ll be the envy of monstera lovers all over the world!