The Monstera Genus has become the go-to choice when it comes to beautifying your homes and living spaces. These stunning houseplants have captured our eyes and hearts with their rich, green, and luxurious foliage.
They make the perfect ornamental plants for the home, as they are easy to grow, and provide such an aesthetic appeal to our living space that is just pristine.
With almost 50 different Monstera species out there, you have a wide variety of options to choose from when it comes to decorating your homes or living spaces. But what are the best options?
1. Monstera deliciosa
This is the most popular of all the Monstera varieties, It can be found growing in tropical regions of Central America and can also be found in most florist outlets in the United States with ease.
Monstera deliciosa features large foliage with beautiful-looking fenestrations that are super exotic-looking.
The leaves of the Monstera deliciosa are quite large as they can grow to a length of 3ft. They are also easy to grow and easy to care for.
The fruits produced by the deliciosa at their full maturity are quite edible and could attract the presence of pollinators to your yard.
2. Monstera adansonii
Next on our list would be the 2nd most popular member of the Monstera genus. The Monstera adansonii or swiss cheese plant as some people call it can be found in most florist stores in the country.
It features beautiful, dark green foliage with near-perfect looking fenestrations that are just the perfect fit for giving that all-natural feel to your living space.
When it comes to height, the adansonii is quite smaller than the deliciosa. However, this beautiful species is blessed with fast-growing habits indoors and can measure as high as 8ft.
3. Monstera acuminata
You might have a hard time searching for the Monstera acuminata as it is quite rare. However, this beautiful plant species might be the perfect ornamental plant for small living spaces.
The acuminata is a lot similar to the adansonii. However, the acuminata is a lot more compact and small.
It features dark green foliage with beautiful fenestrations and can grow as high as 7ft and as wide as 2ft while indoors and are native to the tropical regions of Central and South America.
4. Monstera karstenianum
The Karstenianum, is a perfect choice if you want a Monstera houseplant that doesn’t develop fenestrations as they mature.
Also known as Monstera Peru, because of its origins tied to the deep forests of Peru, the Monstera karstenianum doesn’t require much care for proper growth, thereby making it the perfect houseplant for a person who’s always on the move.
The Monstera karstenianum features deep green luxurious looking leaves with no fenestrations, and they are quite small, growing as high as 2-4ft max.
5. Monstera dubia
The Monstera dubia is another great choice if you are searching for a climbing house plant with little to no fenestrations.
The leaves of the dubia (also known as the shingle plant ), are quite small and heat shaped. And are quite variegated. And on average, the Monstera dubia plant can grow as high as 3ft.
Something cool about the dubia is that it grows in whatever directions its stems face, so it can be controlled to suit your design style
6. Monstera Siltepecana
What is more remarkable about the Monstera siltepecana would be the variegation. It is often called the Silver Monstera due to its silver variegated foliage.
The siltepecana features dark green foliages that are glossy and are well fenestrated, giving it a weird but royal green feel.
This is another Monstera species that can be found in most florist shops and outlets. They require little care and can grow as high as 6ft while indoors.
7. Monstera obliqua
When it comes to popularity, the obliqua comes in third on our list, however, this beautiful fenestrated house plant is very rare, if not the rarest of the Monstera species.
The fenestrations on the obliqua’s leaves are quite extreme as they are more fenestrations on the leaves than actual leaf tissue.
They are also quite expensive, as they are very rare to find. Also, their delicate, thin leaves might make it a bit difficult to care for.
All in all the Monstera obliqua is an excellent plant for your living space.
8. Monstera Standleyana
The Monstera standleyana is another rare species of the Monstera genus that are also native to South and Central America.
The most remarkable thing about the Monstera standleyana would be the weird and unpredictable foliage.
Each individual leaves of the standleyana can assume various weird colorations and fenestrations.
You might find it a stadleyana plant with white or yellow speckles, stripes, and splotches all on the same plant.
However, it doesn’t grow that high as it can reach a maximum height of 5ft.
9. Monstera Pinnatipartita
Monstera pinnatipartita is a rather unusual type of Monstera. This South American beauty gets its name from its feather-like leaves that are quite large.
In the wild tropical forests, the pinnatipartita can grow as high as a whopping 66ft. However, while indoors the pinnatipartita has a maximum height of 6ft.
It features big dark green leaves that are spaced in slits in the middle or feather-like and when compared with the availability of other Monstera species, they are quite hard to find.
10. Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma
The tetrasperma is not a member of the Monstera genus, however, it is on this list because it shares a similar appearance with members of the Monstera genus.
Also known as ‘Mini Monstera’, the tetrasperma is quite tiny and is riddled with as many fenestrations as the deliciosa.
Its leaves are dark green and the fenestrations on them are just a little larger than the frustrations on a typical Monstera plant.
The Mini Monstera can be found in the tropical forests of Africa and Asia and can grow to a height of about 8 feet when grown indoors. They are quite elegant and a great fit for your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Monstera is quite popular for a couple of reasons. It is easy to care for, fast-growing, and quite beautiful with its fenestrations.
The rarest Monstera variety out there would be the Monstera obliqua
You can distinguish a Monstera from its fenestrations, the size and shape of holes can help in distinguishing a Monstera plant. Another way would be through its geniculum.
Your Monstera obliqua Peru can range from about $200 stem to about $7000 for a pot plant.
Yes, it is possible. However, it is uncommon for a normal Monstera to become variegated over time.
