Monsteras are already stunning plants, and variegated varieties are much more so. Sadly, they are frequently pricey and scarce.
Due of their scarcity, variegated Monstera plants are pricey. A mutation in the plant’s production of chlorophyll results in the marbling or half-moon appearance. A Monstera can cost anywhere between $100 and several thousand dollars USD, depending on its size and variegation pattern.
What should you expect to pay for a Monstera?
Only extremely uncommon varieties go for prices as high as $5,000, and you’d have to shop around a lot to locate one for only $5. Most monstera deliciosa plants cost between $30 and $60 each.
Keep in mind that this is the cost of a typical, two to three-foot-tall green plant. You should always prepare to spend a little bit more money when purchasing plants that don’t fall into this group.
The average price range for higher-end plants is between $100 and $150. A larger plant or a variegated Monstera deliciosa typically cost this amount.
Almost exclusively huge plants with extremely unique colour patterns will cost more than a few hundred dollars.
Why is the Monstera plant so well-liked?
One of the most well-liked indoor plants in the world, Monstera deliciosa grows quickly and requires little maintenance. Variegated forms of this plant can fetch prices in the hundreds of dollars, and its striking, punctured leaves are frequently seen on everything from posters to pillow slips.
Monstera uses aerial roots to climb trees in the Central American jungle where it lives in order to reach the forest canopy. Josh Gray and Clare Keleher Gray’s ability to climb signifies a change in their surroundings. The duo works in a crucial koala habitat in the hinterland of the Gold Coast.
“According to Gray, who works for Envite, an organization that promotes ecological restoration, invasive weeds are the second biggest threat to our biosphere after land destruction.
Small roots and rapid development enable the Australian giants Toona ciliata (Australian red cedar), Eucalyptus grandis (flooded gum), and Eucalyptus tereticornis to be reached by Monstera (forest red gum). Koalas and other animals primarily eat from these trees. “Koalas cannot obtain food when a tree is completely covered in something that has the potential to change the environment, such as monstera, according to Gray.
Keleher Gray, a bush regenerator, observes the connection between pests and potted plants on the sites where she works. “I work with individual landowners that want to promote the regrowth of natural vegetation. They aim for more than just aesthetic beauty in their gardens. They want them to serve as wildlife habitats.
Her methods of management include painting vines with pesticide and scraping the roots of vines “With monstera, there is a problem with the climbing vines’ small size and aerial roots. Their small leaves make it difficult to treat them without also damaging the host tree.
Fortunately, monstera infestations are still regarded as localized events for the time being.
What Monstera has the highest price tag?
Variegated Monstera plants can fetch hundreds of dollars, with cuttings alone frequently fetching $100 or more. The Adansonii Variegata, which sold for $38,000, was the most expensive variegate Monstera ever sold.
Another extremely rare Monstera Adansoni sold for $700 on the well-known auction site Trade Me, and a Monstera Aurea sold for $3,726.
According to Dan Bruce, “Variegated plants have grown in popularity over the last few years, in part because houseplant collectors are always looking for something different, and in part because they are quite uncommon and attractive.”
Variegated monstera prices have skyrocketed in part as a result of rising demand for the slow-growing plant, which has put pressure on supply. Because the leaves lack chlorophyll, it requires more light and develops more slowly.
What plant sells for the greatest money worldwide?
Native to Sri Lanka and other nations on the Indian subcontinent is this flowering succulent. Given that it is only known to bloom at night, it is regarded as one of the most beautiful flowers in the entire world. It is extremely rare and has a very short lifespan.
Juliet Rose
The real cost of the flower is between $50 and $60, but what earns it the second slot on this list is the price its creator paid to produce it—a whopping $5 million that took 15 years to complete! It debuted for the first time in 2006 at the Chelsea Flower Show.
Year Old Juniper Bonsai Tree
In 1981, a 250-year-old Juniper Bonsai tree was sold for a staggering $2,000,000 US. Its real photograph, however, has not yet been located.
Years-Old Bonsai Tree
A ridiculous $1.3 million was paid for this tiny white pine tree in 2011 at the International Bonsai Convention in Japan. The age and history of this tree were its greatest assets.
Obliqua Monstera
The Large Monstera Obliqua plant, commonly known as the “More Hole than Leaf” plant, sold for $23,000 to the winning bidder. As dealers attempt to pass it off as the more popular Monstera Adansonii, the majority of postings are scams.
Variegated Monstera Minima
This variegated Philodendron Minima was sold on Trade Me in New Zealand for a significant sum. A typical one might cost as little as $50 or as much as $100, but they are hard to come by.
Pink Princess Philodendron
Horticulture Week also dubbed Half Moon Philodendron Pink Princess “2019’s Must-Have Plant.” On ETSY, the plant was purchased for a cool $1,999.95.
Monstera Thai Constellation
This plant stands out from the other kinds thanks to its magnificent white and green variegation. It will cost you anywhere from $300 to $500 to purchase.
Which indoor plant is the most expensive?
A Hoya carnosa compacta ‘Hindu Rope’ became the most expensive houseplant ever sold on Trade Me in June 2020, another plant with distinctive variegation. It was sold by a site member for $6500. On the inner of the leaf of this mature plant was a cream/yellow variegation.
There are several less expensive types of Hoya if you feel you must have one.
Which indoor plant is the rarest?
These gorgeous plants are probably already known to a serious plant enthusiast, but I’ll list my top ten. All of the plants on this list are rare collector’s goods. There is no set order for the plants.
Variegated Monsteras
The monstera is undoubtedly already well-known to everyone, but in the past two years, the variegated varieties have really taken off. There are two varieties of variegated monsteras: Borsigiana and Deliciosa. But I’ll cover that in a different essay.
Currently, there are four different variegated monstera types that are in high demand. These are Monstera Thai Constellation, Monstera Sport, Monstera Albo Variegata, and Monstera Aurea Variegata.
Monstera Albo Variegata
The Monstera Albo Variegata is the most prevalent of all of them. Several growers are already producing this in Belgium and Holland. The majority of the white variegated monsteras sold in Europe are produced by these growers. Prices for a plant with a few leaves are quite costly because of the slow growth of this plant and the great demand. These plants cannot currently be tissue cultured due to the natural fault of variegation.
Monstera Thai Constellation
Several growers in Holland are presently cultivating the Monstera Thai Constellation plant. However, they have very few. You correctly guess where the Thai Constellation is from: Thailand. They have been grown in tissue culture for many years in Thailand. Thailand is unable to provide the quantity of plants that farmers in Europe and the USA are requesting because to the huge demand. As a result, prices in Thailand and other nations throughout the world are exorbitant. It’s been said that growers in the US and Europe have successfully created Thai Constellations in their own tissue culture labs. In order to satisfy the market and bring down prices, it is waiting for the growers to release significant quantities of these plants.
Monstera Aurea Variegata
Aurea in Latin means “gold” hence the plant has a slight golden tint. Monstera Aurea is perhaps one of the most sought-after variegated monsteras. As you can see, this plant has lovely gold/yellow variegation on its leaves; in my opinion, it is extremely gorgeous! There is currently no large-scale production of these plants. These plants can only be obtained through cuttings in private collections or from plants developed from seeds with an extremely low likelihood of developing this kind of variegation.
Monstera Sport
This Monstera is peculiar; the plants’ variegation seems to be green or pale yellow. It is frequently known as Monstera sport. These plants are not mass-produced, just as the Monstera Aurea Variegata. These can only be obtained by taking cuttings from already-existing plants.
Philodendron White Princess
Through cutting, The Philodendron White Princess has been present in private collections for a while. However, this year they arrived on the market as whole, large potted plants. They have gotten easier to locate even though they are still rather difficult to discover.
For serious plant aficionados, their lovely white speckled leaves are instantly recognizable.
Philodendron Melanochrysum
This climbing philodendron is most likely the most sought-after one for 2020. Undoubtedly one of the rarer indoor plants. Its leaves are the ideal shade of dark green. When you have the Melanochrysum blooming in an area with a little bit greater humidity, it is a fairly simple Philodendron to cultivate inside. This philodendron’s leaves can grow to be enormous! Some plants in private collections and botanical gardens have leaves that can reach lengths of more than one meter!
Fortunately, this year has seen an increase in the availability of these plants due to extensive manufacturing in Holland; this trend is likely to continue in 2021.
Philodendron Gloriosum
Another stunning performance! The Philodendron Gloriosum is renowned for its enormous velvet leaves with stunning white veining that resemble a large heart. As you can see, these plants have a very high rate of growth. If you manage to get your hands on one, give it a good pot to crawl in since this Philodendron likes to crawl over climb.
The mother plants of this Philodendron are now being worked on by numerous growers in Belgium and Holland. As a result, this plant will be more widely available in the upcoming years.
Anthurium Veitchii
Anthurium the king, This year, there was a big increase in demand for this uncommon houseplant because so many individuals searched for it. No wholesale grower has offered them for sale as of yet. This year, you could only have acquired one by importing the plant yourself or purchasing it from a private grower or collector.
This Anthurium is desired for its magnificent look and lovely ruffled leaves. This plant’s interesting fact is that it can grow without soil. Due to its epiphytic nature, it prefers to grow in sphagnum moss. These plants can be found in the wild growing among trees, on cliff faces, or on moss-covered walls. The leaves can potentially reach a height of almost one meter!
Anthurium Warocqueanum
One of the most well-liked anthuriums for 2020 is the Queen. Unfortunately, garden centers do not now carry it, however it is occasionally accessible online. Originally from Colombia, this plant is currently grown in several South American nations as well as Asia. These plants may only be obtained by either importing them from there or purchasing one from a private European collector.
The velvety leaves of this anthurium contribute to its popularity. An anthurium with velvet leaves? Yes! It’s beautiful and deserving of desire. Its appearance is similar to something you may see in a fantasy film. Just look at how lovely everything is!
Monstera Adansonii Variegata Archipelago
One of the most costly Monsteras and likely one of the most sought-after unusual houseplants in 2020. Although the variegated Monstera adansonii originated in Japan, it is now found in many collections across Europe. In 2020, a single leaf cutting with good variegation will cost you roughly $1500, yes, you read that right. Because they are so uncommon, these plants are not currently being cultivated in large quantities. Due to the unstable variegation, the plants cannot be grown in tissue culture. Cuttings are the only method for reproducing these plants.
This plant will undoubtedly still be very valuable in a few years, but as more and more individuals acquire one, its value will inevitably decline.
Monstera Obliqua Peruvian Form
This is unquestionably the most unique and uncommon of the Monsteras, and for the most of people, the holy grail of rare houseplants. When you are collecting monsteras, this is undoubtedly on your top wishlist. Originating in Peru, but now present in numerous collections across Europe. The plant can only be purchased from a collector. This plant can easily cost you a few thousand euros in a cutting.
Philodendron Pink Princess
A PURPLE PLANT? Yep! It does exist, but they are still uncommon. Fortunately, because many producers are diligently attempting to multiply their mother plants, there will be a greater supply of these in 2021.
This is a true eye-catcher for any plant collector. When guests come around, they will all notice the plant in your living room.
Variegated Syngonium
This year, the popularity of variegated Syngoniums really took off; there are so many distinct varieties that it’s nearly overwhelming. It comes in a variety of colors, from white to pink. For instance, take a look at this variegated Syngonium. Since Syngoniums are simple to grow, there will be much more of them in 2021.
For 2021, a lot of producers are currently raising a lot of mother plants of the variegated sygonium. Look at this expanse of white Syngonium with varying colors.
Do monsteras get a bad rap?
If you mention the word “houseplant” to someone, I’ll guarantee you $100 that they’ll think of the popular Monstera plant. Although it is undoubtedly the most well-known indoor plant, is it really that special? Prints of the Monstera leaf can be seen on jewelry, wall coverings, beds, and clothes. It’s all over. But what makes the plant itself so fantastic, exactly? Why does it come up so frequently in conversation? While the leaves are certainly beautiful, especially as they grow larger, couldn’t the same be said for many other types of houseplants?
I used to adore Monsteras personally. I have a Monstera peru, two Monstera deliciosa, and two Monstera adansonii. They exist in a wide range of kinds, but we’ll concentrate on the most well-known—the Deliciosa. And what is the goal for today? I’m here to tell you the truth, though: Monsteras are a little overrated. Raffaele Di Lallo of Ohio Tropics, a plant expert, concurred with my assessment of why they might not be worthwhile.
Meet the Expert
The owner of the plant-care business Ohio Tropics is Raffaele Di Lallo. He writes a blog on plants and will soon publish Houseplant Warrior.
I was curious to hear Raffaele’s thoughts on Monsteras because he has an excellent plant collection and is an expert in plant maintenance. He came up with five excellent arguments for why the Monstera might be little exaggerated.