Monstera Species and Variety Guide | Complete Comparison from Deliciosa to Adansonii

Monstera is one of the most popular houseplants, characterized by large leaves with distinctive cuts and holes. As an interior design element, it has outstanding visual impact and is frequently seen in cafes and shop displays. However, "Monstera" encompasses multiple species, and they vary considerably in characteristics and appearance. Here we explain the representative Monstera varieties and their unique features.

Characteristics and Care of Deliciosa (M. deliciosa)

The most common Monstera variety, also called "Houraishōu."

Visual Characteristics When mature, the leaves exceed 50cm in diameter, making it a large species. The leaf incisions are deep, and the holes (fenestrations) open widely. Young plants have heart-shaped leaves with no incisions, but as they grow, they develop the characteristic leaf shape.

Care Tips It tolerates shade well and grows sufficiently in bright indoor locations. However, insufficient light makes it difficult for the characteristic leaf cuts to develop, so a bright spot behind sheer curtains is ideal. During spring through fall, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; in winter, keep the soil drier. When aerial roots emerge, guide them to a moss pole or stake for a natural appearance.

Variegated Deliciosa Variegated varieties with white markings like "White Monster" or yellow markings like "Yellow Marilyn" are extremely popular. Variegated varieties grow slowly and the variegated portions are prone to scorching in direct sunlight, requiring more delicate care.

Characteristics of Adansonii (M. adansonii)

A smaller variety than Deliciosa with strong vining tendencies.

Visual Characteristics Leaves are 15-30cm, smaller than Deliciosa, and feature numerous holes. Unlike Deliciosa, the holes appear without incisions—this is the major difference between the two varieties. Its strong vining habit offers diverse display options: trailing from hanging baskets or training along stakes.

Care Tips It has greater shade tolerance than Deliciosa and grows even in somewhat darker locations. Watering follows the same pattern as Deliciosa, but since the leaves are thinner, it is more sensitive to drying. Regular leaf misting is effective. Due to its fast growth, repotting may be necessary one to two times per year.

Why It's Popular It doesn't require as much space as Deliciosa and lets you enjoy the Monstera aesthetic even in small spaces, making it popular with those in studio apartments and beginners. Its relatively affordable price is another appealing factor.

Other Notable Monstera Varieties

Beyond Deliciosa and Adansonii, there are other captivating varieties.

Dubia (M. dubia) Young leaves have silvery patterns and grow flat, adhering to walls or stakes like ivy. As it matures, it develops characteristic Monstera-like fenestrated leaves. The dramatic transformation from juvenile to mature foliage makes it highly popular among collectors.

Pertusa (M. pertusa) Similar to Adansonii but with a different hole pattern. It is often confused with Adansonii and sold as such in the market, so care is needed when purchasing.

Obliqua (M. obliqua) This remarkable variety has extremely large holes in the leaves—the hole area actually exceeds the leaf area itself. It has very limited distribution and authentic Obliqua commands high prices. Adansonii is frequently mislabeled as Obliqua for sale, making purchase from a reliable seller essential.

Reshaping and Propagating Monstera

Managing oversized Monstera plants is equally important.

Reshaping Methods Left unchecked, Monstera can become too wide or develop numerous aerial roots that diminish its appearance. Cut below a node; propagate the upper portion through water propagation or cuttings to start a new plant. The lower plant will produce side shoots, allowing you to reshape it into a more compact form.

Stem Layering for Propagation Cut the stem into single-node sections and lay them horizontally on moist sphagnum moss—this "stem layering" method is simple and has high success rates. New shoots will emerge from each node. With temperatures above 25°C and high humidity, roots and shoots develop within 2-4 weeks.

Water Propagation Tips Another popular method is placing cut stems in water to develop roots. Using a clear container lets you observe root growth and provides an attractive display. Change the water every 2-3 days, and once roots reach 5cm or longer, transfer to soil.

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Key Points to Avoid Mistakes in Variety Selection

Choosing the right variety from the abundant options is both exciting and challenging. Use the following points to make a selection you won't regret.

Prioritize selecting a variety that suits your growing environment. Consider whether you can provide a bright location, what your winter minimum temperature is, and how much time you can dedicate to watering. Be honest with yourself about your lifestyle and environment. The most disappointing outcome is selecting based solely on appearance only to discover you cannot maintain it properly.

Starting with popular, well-documented varieties is the wise choice. Common varieties have abundant cultivation information online, and troubleshooting is easier when problems arise. Rare varieties have limited information, and both the financial and emotional cost of losing one is greater.

Verify the mature size of the variety before purchasing. Some varieties grow larger than expected, creating placement difficulties. Choose a variety suited to your available space after understanding its final size.

Combining multiple varieties expands your collection's diversity and prevents boredom. Combining varieties that differ in size, color, and shape creates a visually rich display.

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The Right Mindset for Successful Cultivation

The most important aspect of plant cultivation is listening to what your plants are telling you. Leaf color and texture, firmness, growth rate, new leaf development—these subtle changes reveal the plant's health status.

The concept that "a little short of ideal is just right" applies to many plants. Spare with watering, dilute fertilizer, use smaller pots. Excessive care weakens plants, but appropriate periods of drying and mild stress build vigorous, healthy specimens.

Embrace learning from failure. Every experienced grower has killed plants. What matters is analyzing what went wrong and applying those lessons next time. Actively avoiding repeated mistakes reliably improves your cultivation skills.

Community connections significantly enrich your growing experience. By communicating directly with growers on platforms like Botachoku, you gain practical expertise that books and websites cannot provide. Don't fear asking questions—an eagerness to learn is the shortcut to improvement.

Selecting and Purchasing Monstera: Key Points

Here are tips for finding your ideal Monstera.

Identifying Healthy Plants Choose plants with firm, glossy dark green leaves. Avoid plants with brown leaf tips, numerous yellowing leaves, or loose, wobbly bases.

Selecting Variegated Varieties Variegated Monsteeras show significant individual variation, with unique variegation patterns on each specimen. Even photos may not match the actual appearance, so purchasing from a trusted seller is crucial.

Botachoku lets you purchase Monstera directly from specialized growers. Variegated varieties in particular show large individual differences, so Botachoku's advantage is being able to confirm photos directly with growers and ask about variegation stability.