Buying variegated monstera houseplants can be an exciting and daunting experience for many beginning gardeners.
Monstera plants have become quite famous these days. Every gardener now shares a photo of this tropical plant on Instagram and Pinterest.
This houseplant has unique split leaves with vibrant green colors. This is one of the reasons why this beautiful plant appears in many magazines in the United States of America.
So why is monstera so expensive? Most monstera varieties are rare. The beautiful speckled white leaves and the rarity are the reason for the high prices.
Variegated monstera plants produce less chlorophyll, which causes them to undergo less photosynthesis compared to other houseplants.
Keep in mind that growing and caring for a variegated monstera is quite a challenge. This is another reason behind its rarity and abnormal prices.
This article provides an overview of the reasons for the high price and some of the typical price ranges of monstera in the UK, US and Canada.
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Contents
Reasons Why Variegated Monstera Is Expensive
Here are some of the reasons for Monstera’s high prices:
Scarcity
Most monstera varieties are quite rare. Growing and caring for this houseplant is often a challenge for many gardeners.
These indoor plants grow slowly and require the utmost care. Hectic work prevents many people from cultivating it. This is the probable reason why they are rare.
exotic look
Monstera’s exotic appeal adds to its anomalous price tags. This tropical plant has vibrant, shiny green leaves with perforations.
Monstera’s unusual graphic patterns and size help make a statement in your living room. The exotic appearance makes this houseplant worth the high price.
nature of the trend
The leaf pattern of this Swiss cheese plant has helped increase its popularity. The houseplant has made its way on the internet and many people have fallen in love with it.
Thousands of social media influencers take a picture of this plant every day. The number of shares and comments on social media platforms make it a trend.
Professional gardeners who cultivate and propagate the houseplant have taken advantage of people wanting it at home. In the long run, they charge high prices.
purify indoor air
The lush and unique appearance of Monstera is the main reason for its high prices. But the plant has another amazing quality that is worth it.
Monstera species help naturally purify indoor air. Removes indoor air pollutants. Monstera is an excellent choice for keeping indoor air fresh.
You may also read: How To Care For Monstera Adansonii
memorable name
Monstera varieties have cool names. These interesting and easy-to-remember names also contribute to their high prices.
These magical plant names may remind you of something from the Harry Potter movie. The number of searches for names of cool monsters on various search engines is very high.
Difficult to grow and maintain.
Monstera is one of the most difficult houseplants to grow and maintain. Beginner gardeners are advised not to consider this houseplant.
Propagating, growing, and caring for monstera plants requires a professional gardener. This factor contributes to its rarity and high price.
Large format for interior decoration.
Bonte monstera offers a modern minimalist interior design. Thanks to its large size, the monstera is an ideal statement plant.
The bright colors of the leaves of this Swiss cheese plant bring your interior to life. The exotic appearance makes the plant popular in interior decoration, which drives up the price.
The most expensive variegated monstera varieties.
Below are the main variegated monstera varieties that are very expensive:
Delicious Monstera
It is also known as window leaf plant or Mexican breadfruit. The plant grows up to 60 feet tall by climbing other trees in the wild.
Monstera deliciosa has fenestrated leaves on mature plants. The plant typically produces flowers and fruits called Mexican breadfruit or monstera fruit.
Indoor monstera deliciosa rarely blooms and grows tall. The houseplant is prone to root rot and prefers direct and indirect sunlight.
The average price range is $20 to $100, but gardeners looking to propagate their monstera deliciosa will cost $10 to $15.
Monstera borsigiana
This houseplant is also known as Monstera deliciosa f. Borsigiana. It has small leaves, slender stems and longer internodes. In addition, this variety of monstera grows faster.
The slender stems make the plant a climber. You will need a support post for this houseplant in your home. The plant is susceptible to root rot and prefers direct and indirect sunlight.
Monstera borsigiana is the most expensive variegated monstera. The average price range is $1,000 to $5,000, but the uneven counterpart is quite affordable.
oblique monstera
It is also known as unicorn plant. It is the rarest species of variegated monstera and is often confused by many gardeners with Monstera Adansonii.
The houseplant has extreme hollows in the leaves. The remaining foliage usually looks like lace on the plant.
Growing and caring for monstera obliqua is very demanding. Not the best plant for novice gardeners and the faint-hearted.
The plant grows slowly and thrives in indirect full sun. The average cost for a single cut is $5,000 to $8,000.
Monstera pinnati partita
This is another great monstera variety. But it has a more compact stipe with a shorter distance between nodes. Monstera pinnatipartita is a slow climbing vine.
Finding a young pinnatipartite is super difficult and expensive. The average cost for a single cutting is around $100 to $300. The plant likes bright indirect light and well-drained potting soil.
Monstera standleyana
Many novice gardeners often call it a philodendron cobra. But that’s the wrong name for this variety of monstera. It is a variegated monstera vine with long, narrow leaves.
The vibrant dark green leaves have small white or creamy spots and streaks. Leaf windows appear only on mature plants.
Monstera standleyana needs very bright indirect sunlight to facilitate photosynthesis. It also grows slowly due to a lack of chlorophyll to produce more food.
Monstera’s average price range is $25 to $200 or more. The houseplant is grown as a runner and needs extra support to improve upright posture.
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frequently asked Questions
How much does a monstera plant cost?
The average monstera price ranges from $5 to $10,000. Note that variegated monstera varieties are very expensive compared to non-variegated monstera.
Why is Monstera so popular?
This is because of its exotic appearance and rarity. These two factors have played an important role in the houseplant trend. Most digital influencers have taken up the challenge of popularizing the houseplant.
Which Monstera is the most expensive?
Monstera adansonii variegata is the most expensive. The average price of monstera is around $38,000 in many reputable online stores.
Are Monstera plants rare?
Absolute. There are more than 48 species of monstera and it is quite difficult to find all these varieties. Scarcity is the reason for the high prices.
Can the Monstera withstand full sun?
No. Excessive exposure to direct sunlight will cause sunburn on the leaves. Monstera prefer direct indirect sunlight to grow faster. But the houseplant can also tolerate low light.
Can a normal Monstera change skin?
Yes, but only by genetic change. The change causes a cell mutation and the green leaves reappear with new colors.
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Ultimately
Most monstera varieties are rare and very expensive. Growing this houseplant is a challenge for novice gardeners. It requires the utmost care and maintenance for better health.
Many large companies and digital influencers have the factories completely under control. The rarity and difficulty of caring for the monstera are the cause of the high prices.
But there are some monstera varieties, especially non-variegated ones, that are more affordable and easier to care for.
So what do you think of the monstera’s current price range? Do you think the price range will last forever? Do more research on the most expensive monstera before making the right decision.
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