Your variegated Monstera will like the same conditions you grow the non-variegated ones in. Really, they don’t need a lot of extra attention.

The biggest mistakes we see people making with them is firstly not enough light. Growing long and lanky, slow growing and leaves going brown will all result from a lack of light. 

I see all over the internet that they ‘won’t tolerate full sun’ – no one has told that to all the Monsteras that grow in Queensland backyards. Yes, they will. And I have this Variegated Monstera deliciosa borsigiana (below) growing outside where it would get full sun for half the day and as you can see it is thriving.

Word of warning. Yes, they will burn if they have been shade grown and then suddenly thrust into the bright light. You won’t kill the plant but the sunburnt leaves will be ugly. So, if this is your situation, gradually introduce more light.

The other mistake people make is with watering. Either too much or way too little – though the later is the better of the two evils. DO NOT let it sit in a saucer of water. Water your plant and 30 minutes later, tip out whatever water is in the saucer. Then, when the top inch of the pot is dry, water again. There is no exact formula to watering – you must learn from experience.

Your Monstera albo will like a good quality, nice open, well-draining mix. Everyone has their own recipe, but here are a few ideas to get you started – 

• Half “Cymbidium mix” and half “General Purpose Mix”; 
• “General Purpose Mix” with added 20-30% perlite (or similar, to open the mix); Our own current mix which is coarse bark 70%; perlite 10-15%; coir peat 10-15% (60/40 blend).

And we always recommend that you use a good quality mix that meets the Australian standards.

Your variegated Monstera will like the same conditions you grow the non-variegated ones in. They will be happiest in strong to medium light – don’t be afraid to give them light. 

They require regular, moderate amounts of water but don’t over water – allow to dry out between waterings.

And to thrive it likes a moderate amount of feed, so just add it into your regular foliar fertiliser regime.

Happy Growing
Lisa