If you’ve ever seen a Monstera plant with variegated leaves, you probably fell in love. These plants recently grabbed the internet by storm, and they continue to be quite popular in fashion publications and Pinterest home décor ideas. But you know how unappealing it is if you’ve seen the price tag!
As a result, you might wonder if variegated Monstera seeds can be grown. If you are willing to wait, this may seem like a fantastic, affordable method to acquire a lovely plant.
Sadly, the answer is no, you cannot. Anyone trying to sell you variegated Monstera seeds is trying to con you since variegated Monstera plants cannot be grown from seeds. Purchase these seeds not. Even seeds derived from a variegated plant cannot guarantee the presence of the recessive gene that causes variegation. You need to purchase a plant if you want a variegated Monstera.
Can you grow Monstera Albo from seeds?
A Monstera can also be grown from seed. If you’re lucky and have a Monstera that is in bloom, you can use the flower’s seed after the fruit has finished ripening. Otherwise, buy it from a shop. Although Monstera seeds are quite simple to obtain, they don’t have a long shelf life, so the sooner you plant them, the better.
First, let the seeds soak in lukewarm water for 12 hours. The seeds ought to slightly swell. Next, bury the seed in a thin layer of soil and maintain soil moisture. Although you don’t need much light, it helps to accomplish this in a warm environment, so keep it out of direct sunshine. A young Monstera initially begins to swell toward the night. A little sapling will grow from the ground in 10 to 3 weeks. Before it obtains the typical fenestrated leaves, it will take some time.
How likely is it to grow a variegated Monstera from seed?
99.99 percent of commercially available variegated monstera plants are not grown from seeds. There is a significant 100,000:1 chance that a monstera seed may grow plants with different colors.
Monstera Albo Borsigiana
Despite some claims to the contrary, Monstera Deliciosa and Borsigiana belong to the same species.
One of the most well-known Monstera variegata has grown in popularity as a result of Instagram.
Large white patches will appear on the foliage of M. Albo Borsigiana due to a spontaneous mutation that causes the variegation. These spots are erratic and prone to become green again.
Depending on how many leaves it has, a single Monstera Albo Borsigiana cutting is worth approximately $250, while a rooted plant can range in price from $400 to $1,000.
Monstera Thai Constellation
This common house plant was created using plant tissue culture in a lab in Thailand and has undergone artificial mutation.
It is one of the most desired plants due to its lovely variation in sectoral and marble patterns. As a plant that was grown in tissue culture, the variegation is quite stable and will be passed on to new leaves as they develop.
Although a rooted Monstera Thai Constellation can cost anywhere between $250 and $350, I’ve never seen Thai Constellation advertised as a cutting.
Monstera Deliciosa Aurea
The yellow variegation of Monstera Deliciosa Aurea, also called Monstera Marmorata, gives it the look of a Golden Pothos.
It also needs regular maintenance to keep its sectoral pattern variegation. To maintain the variegation, immediately cut any leaves that have turned green.
Because it is so uncommon, Monstera Deliciosa’s Aurea variant commands a high price. Costs for rooted plants range from $2,000 to $3,000.
Is It Possible for Regular Monstera to Develop Variegation?
Regular Monstera can eventually show variegation, though it is rare. One of my friend’s Monstera Deliciosa cuttings was fortunate enough to begin displaying Albo variegation.
Only one in 100,000 plants will randomly produce a variegated Monstera. This means that in order to obtain a variegated Monstera, you would need to propagate 100,000 cuttings and hope that one of them would show the trait.
How long does it take for monsteras to grow from seed?
As soon as your seeds arrive, you must hasten their germination. The Monstera seeds have already been stressed and dried out during transportation, and they don’t have a very long shelf life.
Before deciding on my germination techniques, I conducted A LOT of research. I experimented with how each of my two batches of seeds germinated.
Soaking Method
The soaking approach is the first technique. To begin the germination process, you only need to immerse your seeds in water for 12 to 24 hours.
Use a small container filled with warm tap water and several seeds to carry out this procedure.
The seeds will slightly swell. You can plant your seeds in a tiny pot after 12 to 24 hours (but no more than 48!). Seeds can drown if you keep them in the water for more than 48 hours.
A quick approach to get the germination process going is by soaking. The fact that the seeds have often not yet sprouted makes planting them a little simpler.
My seeds were steeped for 24 hours before being planted in a peat pot inside a miniature greenhouse.
Paper Towel Germination
The paper towel approach is the second technique. I liked this approach better than soaking. It was simple to do, and I was able to monitor the development of the sprouts. I wasn’t sure if I had soaked the seeds for enough time using the soaking procedure. It appears that there is a lot more room for error.
You will need paper towels, monstera seeds, a spray bottle filled with water, and a plate to perform the paper towel method.
- On the paper towel, spread the seeds in a single layer.
- Till the seeds are gently covered by two pieces of paper towel, overlap the paper towels over them.
- Spray the paper towel and seeds on a dish in order to get them both wet.
- Place the plate in a well-lit area and keep it out of the sun for as long as possible.
- Every day, check the seeds and mist the paper towel. Within 2-4 days, seeds need to grow.
The seeds must be planted after they sprout. In my investigation, I discovered that some people dislike the paper towel method because they worry the roots will penetrate the paper towel. In contrast to what I experienced, the seeds easily grew and could be removed from the paper towel and planted in pots.
How do I grow Adansonii that is variegated?
From the same family as the well-known monstera deliciosa plant, the monstera adansonii is a distinctive indoor plant. The adansonii can be either a climber or a trailing plant and has smaller leaves. Variegated leaves, which are extremely unusual on this plant, have parts of white on them. Due to its rarity, this is much sought after by many gardeners.
By taking cuttings from a plant and putting them in water, the variegated monstera adansonii can be multiplied. New leaves will start to grow after a few weeks when roots emerge from the nodes.
Before we continue with this plant’s growth, it is important to answer a few of the questions that are frequently posed about it:
They are quite rare in the wild, but they are growing in popularity to the point where many people are breeding them, making them more common (though still very expensive!)
Practically speaking, no, as it is a hereditary mutation. A monstera with green leaves may suddenly develop a variegated leaf, although this indicates that the monstera was always ‘variegated’ and has just recently created a variegated leaf.
No, it won’t ever stop being a variegated monstera, however it’s possible that the plant will begin to produce leaves that are all green. This might happen as a result of things like stress or less sunlight. Although many people discover that a period of totally green leaves is followed by a series of heavily variegated leaves, this does not guarantee that the plant will never produce variegated leaves again.
While providing the plant with appropriate light helps support the plant, there is no guaranteed method to manage the variegation. Even while you might like leaves that are variegated, it’s crucial to have green leaves as well since they contain chlorophyll, which is an essential component of photosynthesis.
April 2020
When these plants have a moss pole, they will climb vertically. Because the plant and its roots are drawn to moisture, it is crucial to maintain the moss pole at a constant moisture level.
Can plants develop variegation on their own?
I definitely collect variegated plants and am infatuated with them. Because of the pearl string’s variety, it is currently my favorite. Given that some kinds, like Variegated Monstera, cost astronomical sums of money, I had a few queries concerning plants with variegation. Here’s where my investigation led me:
A. The green pigment chlorophyll is absent from some plant cells, which causes variation in leaf color. Typically, a cell mutation causes it.
A. Plants can have genetic (inherited) or random variegation (chimeric). If the color change is hereditary, it is stable, which means that it will return to the new plant if you produce a green stem from a plant with colored leaves or plant its seed.
A variety of factors might cause variegated plants to revert or turn green. It could be a response to temperature extremes—hot or cold—or to low light levels. Some claim that since the plant grows stronger when it has more chlorophyll, it might have done so as a means of survival. When this occurs, it is preferable to remove the afflicted leaves because, if you don’t, the plain green foliage, which has more chlorophyll and vigor than the variegated foliage, may really take over the plant.
A. Variegation cannot be artificially created or done at home. To spread the variegated plant love, it is best to borrow a cutting from a friend or give your own away.
How can you grow a plant with different colors?
Taking cuttings from branches with more blotchy variegation in the leaf—as opposed to the all-white type (which lacks chlorophyll)—and simply increasing the number of plants will result in a more traditional and stable variegation. Volume production in this approach takes a lot longer.
Can a plant quickly develop different colors?
What causes some plants to have variegated leaves intrigues me. The characteristics of cacti and the design of flowers to attract pollinators—are these adaptations for survival?
The green pigment chlorophyll is missing from some plant cells, which is why leaf color can vary. It is typically the product of a cell mutation and is not an adaptation to the environment. It can be inherited (genetic) or happen at random (chimeric). If the color change is hereditary, it is persistent, thus it will return if you propagate a green stem from a plant with colored leaves or plant its seed. This holds true for both green leaves with sporadic coloration (variegation), such as white and yellow, and for leaves that are a single solid hue, like gold or purple.
Variation is typically the result of a random mutation. The color will not return if you divide the plant from a green shoot or from seed. The most typical type of variegation, but one that is frequently challenging to stable. Variegated or colored shoots must be used for propagation. As inferior growers due to a lack of chlorophyll, which plants require to produce the food they need for growth, these forms typically disappear in nature.
A viral infection can also cause variegation, which manifests as discolored veins or leaf regions. Although it is a very uncommon type of variegation, it is stable. This sort of variegation can be seen on the leaves of Lonicera japonica ‘Aureoreticulata,’ which has veins of golden yellow netting.
Pictured: The variegated leaves of lungworts (Pulmonaria), a plant, is what people most often notice about it. It’s called Pulmonaria “Spilled Milk.”
Why is Monstera variegata so expensive?
Because they are so rare and well-liked, variegated Monsteras are very expensive. Because the leaves lack chlorophyll, it requires more light and develops more slowly. Slower growth results in fewer new plants and slower propagation.
Variegated Monsteras are frequently sold out on online marketplaces, putting new prospective buyers on a waiting list for when the parent Monstera is large enough to generate fresh cuttings.
Demand also drives up prices. Growers have found that consumers are willing to pay a high price for a variegated Monstera. People will buy even a baby cutting with just two leaves for $100 USD! Variegated Monsteras are becoming more and more in demand, and as a result, prices are also going up.
Where are the origins of Monstera Albo?
Are you a die-hard admirer of monsteras and eager to expand your collection of plants with the amazing variegated monstera?
If you’re not yet aware with them, Monstera is a genus that includes 22 species and is primarily cultivated for its attractive leaves. The name “Monstera” alludes to its enormous size, which can exceed 30 feet! Not to mention the outrageous costs.
Because of the fenestrations, or holes, in its leaves, it is also sometimes referred to as the Swiss cheese plant. It’s indigenous to the tropical jungles of Southern Mexico and Central America.
Reverted variegation: is it reversible?
Variegated foliage plants are frequently highly well-liked. Variegated plants are frequently utilized as accents in landscapes, as focal points in shaded, dark settings, or even as interior plants. In plants, variegation occurs when the normally green section of the plant is changed to white, creamy, or occasionally even other colors. Engineered breeding techniques or genetic flaws may produce variegated plants.
I frequently receive inquiries from disgruntled gardeners whose variegated plants are starting to produce solely solid green leaves. Sometimes the hue will return to its original green state as a result of unstable cell mutations, variations in hot and cold temperatures, survival needs, or other factors. It is impossible to reverse a plant back to variegated colorings once it has turned green.
Due to their lack of green pigment, variegated plants will have a restricted amount of chlorophyll in their leaves. When a plant has less chlorophyll, it has less energy, which is necessary for photosynthesis. Plants with variegation are typically less robust and healthy than plants with solid green leaves. Returning to solid green leaves may be a defensive mechanism by which the plant transforms back into a healthier state.
A variegated plant may suffer from being cultivated in shady or semi-shady locations, where so many other variegated plants are typically grown. The plant wouldn’t be getting enough light, on top of having insufficient quantities of chlorophyll. These circumstances make it easy to turn a plant with variegated leaves back to having only solid green leaves.
It is believed that bad weather may induce a plant to return to its original solid green state. Returning to green improves a plant’s ability to capture more of the required solar energy, giving it a competitive advantage. More energy translates to more fuel for stronger, healthier growth. When reversion is seen on a plant, you can remove that area to prevent the growth of glossy green leaves.
Try to grow with nature rather than against it until next time, and perhaps all of our weeds will turn into wildflowers.