Why is Monstera Albo so expensive? Complete guide

Why is Monstera Albo so expensive? It is interesting to grow some rare plants in your garden. But how do you care for these plants and maintain their growth? Monstera albo is one such rare plant, which needs regular care to stay healthy. With peculiar foliage, the plant belongs to the Araceae family and is associated with the monstera genus. Let us talk more about Monstera albo. You will learn about their appearance, uniqueness, fragrance, and growing requirements.

Reason Monstera Albo so expensive?

There are various reasons behind the higher price of the plant. The biggest truth is that it is a rare plant and Monstera Albo is a slow grower. It can take years for the plant to reach its full size, which means that growers have to wait a while before they can sell it. No lab activities can produce the variegation. So, you need to wait for the natural variegation of the plant. So the effort and time a that goes into growing one plant, it’s no wonder they charge so much for them. Monstera Albo has gained higher popularity. Thus, you may find a hike in the price of the plant.

What makes Monstera albo different from other plants?

Monsteradeliciosa has various subspecies, and one of them is Monstera albo. Attractive foliage with generation vegetation is the major characteristic of the plant. The flowering plant has a unique charm that is truly unnoticeable. The topical plant is native to South and Central America. You can easily identify the plant due to its heavy variegation. The large, heart-shaped leaves are glossy, and the ornamental plant has drawn the attention of several people.

What is most interesting about the plant is the creamy stripes that have no chlorophyll like other green leaves. So, photosynthesis does not occur in those parts. However, they do not prevent the plant from receiving sunlight. 

Monstera albo characteristics- How do you identify the plant?

You will find some special traits in the plant-

• Foliage

Monstera albo has stunning foliage with broad leaves splashed with white variegation. Long striped stems hold the leaves together. Over time, the plant starts developing, while the mature leaves split easily into slits. 

In some cases, the plant becomes white. The leaves that lose any green tone are known as ghost leaves. You have to trim those leaves to maintain the health of your plants and promote chlorophyll production.

• Flowering

The flowers of Monstera albo Variegata are almost like arum plants, and they have creamy white spathe. The flower central part has a spadix. Flowering is not easy for indoor plants, and you will not find consistency in the blooming period. 

Most monstera plant species will produce 2 to 4 spadice clusters. The length of the flower stalk is about 2 to 18 inches. It is mostly rounded or flatted with a variation in thickness.

The fruits of the plant take more than a year to get ripen. In some cases, the plants develop ripe fruits and immature ones simultaneously.

• Fragrance

Monstera albo produces a distinctive sweet fragrance similar to a pineapple. For instance, when the fruit ripens, the platelets drop off the fruit. Thus, you will get a strong, sweet aroma. But, if you find bad odors from the plant, it indicates insect infestation and disease. Very often, the decayed and rotten plant parts emit a smell. You must remove the infected parts to revive the plant.

What is the standard size of the Monster aalbo?

The length of the plant ranges from 25 cm to 90 cm, while the width is around 30 cm. To grow the plant, you need a flexible pot that accommodates plants of any size. The size of the plant may reach up to 10 feet.

You can find a faster growth of Monstera albo Variegata. With proper growing conditions, the plant length will be almost 1 to 2 feet per year. Moreover, the foliage will easily grow to almost 35 inches. Proper care enables plants to produce new leaves within a few months.

Growing Monstera albo- What are the major problems?

Underwater and overwatering can cause problems for Monstera albo. As a result, you will find yellow and brown leaves. Furthermore, diseases and bugs also affect the health of the topical plant. So, you must pay attention to these issues to maintain the plant’s growth.

Diseases

Fungi and bacteria are responsible for developing brown spots on the leaf. Too much watering can result in this problem. It also indicates signs of rotten roots in your plants. Proper management is important for avoiding diseases in your plants. Soggy soil is not good for your plants. Therefore, you must maintain temperature and humidity to grow the plant properly.

In the case of infected plants, you have to remove the diseased parts. With an alcohol spray, you can treat the foliage and eliminate stains.

Yellow Leaves

If the leaves start yellowing, it signifies an unfavorable growing environment. Improper fertilization and lack of light result in yellowish leaves. You have to check the growing environment of your plants regularly to prevent these issues. 

Loss of variegation

It is another consequence of the lack of enough light. The plant should receive indirect light for at least 6-7 hours. If a good amount of natural light is unavailable, you can set up a grow light.

Drooping leaves

Floppy and drooping leaves are some common issues with Monstera albo. After bringing the plant to your home, you may find these signs. As the plant is sensitive to environmental fluctuations, it can affect the leaves. The plant needs some time to get acclimatized to a different place. Warm temperature and humidity will help the plant restore its condition. However, if it continues showing the signs of sagging leaves, it might have been underwatered.

Pests 

The most common pests affecting the Monstera albo plant are scale bugs and spider mites. The plant sap causes the pests to get into Monsteroalbo. In due course, they will damage the plant if not treated at the right time. If you find molds and tiny drops on the leaves underside, you must take steps against infestation. By using citronella, neem oil, and other horticultural oil, you can prevent bugs from affecting your plants. However, you may also prepare a unique formula of natural plant spray with chili pepper. Remove the debris from the leaves regularly.

Over-fertilization also causes several growing problems for your plant. A sick and diseased plant will show some symptoms. You have to take care of the plant throughout the year. Although overwatering is not safe, you must not dehydrate the plant. Ensure better drainage and prevent the growth of fungi and bacteria. Do not use low-quality fertilizers, as their accumulation can damage the root. So, ensure you have applied only the required amount of plant. The direct contact of sunlight with the plant is also detrimental to the health of Monstera albo.

Guide to growing Monstera albo

Heat and humidity 

Monstera albo thrives well in hot and humid conditions. Subtropical regions also provide the plant with a favorable environment. Direct sunlight results in a leaf burn, while filtered sunlight is beneficial to plants. 

The plant is known for its high sensitivity to low temperatures. Leaves are destroyed if the temperature is around 30F. At 26-28F, stems get damaged easily. Light shading can promote the growth of the vine. But, it is to be noted that mist does not provide plants with humidity. Therefore, it is much harmful and spreads pathogens.

Mostly, Monstera albo has high humidity requirements. If you have grown it as an ornamental indoor plant, you can easily control the humidity level. Use a humidifier in your room for this purpose.

It is safe to keep humidity ranging from 70 to 85%. Ensure that your plant is healthy and vibrant throughout the year.

Soil condition- Best for growing Monstera albo

Rich soil with proper drainage is highly essential for variegated Monstera. To prepare a good soil mix for Monstera albo, you must blend the right amount of coco coir, perlite, and peat moss. Coco coir will add texture to the soil.

The pH value of the soil should range from 5.5 to 7. You may also buy potting mix available in the market. Add it to the substrate created for the soil. Other houseplants can also be grown with these blends. Using more perlite, you will find better drainage, which is vital for your Monstera albo soil.

Watering requirements

Let the soil feel slightly dry. Although the plant seems to be delicate, it is much hardy. Drier soil conditions are better for plants. It is to be noted that over-watering causes rotting problems at the root.

Fertilization 

There is no need to feed too much fertilizer to Monstero albo. So, you can fertilize the plant once a month. The use of fertilizer can be increased during summer. A liquid fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 20-20-20 is best for the plant to grow heavy and healthy foliage. So, buy high-quality fertilizer from a reliable source and take care of your plant. 

Propagation of Monstera albo

You have to learn the technique of propagating the plant-

• Propagation in water

It is easy to propagate Monstera albo plants in water. At first, cut 2 inches below the node and then throw the piece in water. After several weeks, you will feed the development of roots. You must replace the water and check for signs of bacterial growth.

Propagation in moss

It is another way to propagate the plant and maintain attractive variegated leaves. The steps are the same as that of water. However, your cuttings should be placed in a vase filled with sphagnum moss. It is a high-quality moss used for propagation.

• Air layering technique for propagation

Identify the node which looks like a brown bump. After making an incision, you must wrap the piece in wet sphagnum moss.

Use plastic wrap to seal it and let the node grow into an aerial root. Add a little water to the moss by removing the wrap every few days. You will find the growth of healthy roots.

Maintaining variegation in Monstera albo

Proper pruning is important to keep Monstera albo variegation. The plant will not get reverted to full green. Prune off the stems if you find their leaves turning green. A plant that is not pruned for a long period will grow totally green leaves. You have to force the plant to maintain the growth of beautiful white leaves. But, every part of the plant must not be white, as it will affect photosynthesis. There should be a proper balance of green and white shades on the plant.

If you have chosen a low-light corner of your house to place the plant, you will not find good variegation.

Check about Monstera acacoyaguensis

Potting of the plant

Monstera albo is a slow-growing plant, and you must repot it every 2 to 3 years. Spring and summer are the best seasons for repotting purposes. Do not repot the plants in the winter and autumn season. At this time, they will go through the dormancy stage. Select a pot with a larger diameter.

Remove the plant carefully from the previous pot and let the rootball get loosened. Try to remove the old soil and plant Monstera albo in your new pot. Move the pot to its original location and water it regularly. 

So, it is quite easy to repot the plant and grow more Monstera albos.

Is Monstera albo toxic?

Ingestion of the plant is not safe for humans and animals. The plant has raphides, a type of sharp oxalate crystals. They can cause irritation to your mouth, nausea, breathing problems, and diarrhea. Every part of the plant is poisonous. So, you have to keep Monstera albo away from kids. Go to a clinic if you have noticed warning signs for ingesting a plant’s part.

Conclusion

We have provided you with a guide on how to grow the Monstera albo plant. You can easily identify the plant due to its unique foliage. The distinct smell is also attractive and lets you recognize the plant.