Monstera albo borsigiana is a variegated form of Monstera borsigiana. Most people like its lovely green leaves with nearly white variegations that may include marbling, larger blocks, and streaks, including a half-moon.
In this article, you will learn more about the care and growing needs of Monstera Albo borsigiana, including humidity, light, best soil, temperature, propagation, feeding, etc.
Are you ready? Let’s dig in!
Quick Facts About Monstera Albo borsigiana
| Scientific name | Monstera deliciosa var. Borsigiana albo variegata |
| Species | Monstera delisiosa |
| Genus | Monstera |
| Family | Monstera |
How to Care for Monstera Albo borsigiana
Light Requirements
This plant needs bright, indirect light. It may not do well in lower light like its non-variegated form, Monstera deliciosa, as it has less chlorophyll. Therefore, you have to give it more light to photosynthesis well. If your room does not receive sufficient light, consider using artificial grow lights.
Avoid direct sunlight since it will scorch leaves. Put it at a distance from the window, particularly the south-facing one. Outdoors, put the plant under a shade or greenhouse.
Read also: How to Care for Monstera Oblique
Humidity
As a tropical rainforest plant, Monstera albo borsigiani requires a warm and humid environment to grow well. Therefore, provide it with an above-average humidity of 60% or more.
If your home has low humidity, mist your plant a number of times weekly or have a pebble tray. A sure way to raise humidity is by purchasing a humidifier. But grouping plants and putting them in the kitchen, bathroom, or rooms with higher humidity may help.
Read also: How to Care for Monstera pinnatipartita
Temperature,
The right temperature for this plant, is 68 to 86 degrees Fahremheit. Your plant will grow slowly in lower temperatures, and it will not grow at all when it gets to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Do not put your plant in drafty places in winter and areas with high temperatures, such as near the fireplace, room heating system vents, radiator, etc. Additionally, a sudden dip or rise in temperature will stress your plant.
Read also: How to Care for Monstera Acacoyaguensis
Soil
Monstera albo borsigiana will do well in slightly acidic to neutral airy, well-drained soil high in organic matter.
They grow on decaying bark, leaves, wood, or animals dropping in the wild. You can choose to use an aroid mix or make your mix at home.
Any potting mix with peat moss, loamy soil or coco coir, pumice or perlite, and composite material such as worm castings will work. Ratios do not matter much if it is chunky, have humus, and drain well.
Here is how you can mix the soil:
- One part coco coir – a good light base for potting mix
- One part peat moss – this is a fantastic nutrition source
- One part coarse perlite – keep the potting mix from compressing
- One part vermiculite – retails humidity
- 0.5 part sphagnum moss – retains humidity and adds acidity
Read also: How Monstera Nodes Look Like
Watering
You can water your Monstera albo when the top 2 or 3 inches of the soil feels dry. Some would recommend doing so when 50% – 75% of the potting mix is dry.
Your frequency of watering this plant depends on other conditions such as temperature, light, season, pot size, plant size, soil mix, and other factors. However, in most cases, it will be weekly in spring and summer and biweekly in winter.
Additionally, you can use a top or bottom watering system. Just ensure that the soil is thoroughly saturated and water flows from drainage holes. Remember to discard any water that collects on the pot saucer.
Read also: How to Care for Monstera Adansonii Laniata
Underwatering
Neglecting your plant or underwatering will cause its leaves to curl inward, wilt, or droop. Additionally, they may have dry brown margins and tips and yellow leaves. This will lead to stunted growth, leaves dropping, withering, and plant death if ignored.
Overwatering
Overwatering will cause root rot. Early signs include the yellowing of the plant’s leaves, beginning with the lower ones. Additionally, your plant may droop leaves or wilt, but watering may not improve things.
Other signs include brown splotches on leaves, moldy potting mix, leaves falling off, a mushy base, and so on.
Fertilizer
Just like other plants, this plant requires medium feeding. Therefore, feed it monthly with a liquid houseplant fertilizer in summer and spring. Avoid fertilizing them in winter or fall.
If you insist on a slow-release houseplant fertilizer, start feeding it in early spring and follow what the manufacturer says. Again, do not fertilize in the non-growing seasons.
Pruning and Grooming
You can regularly trim any brown, yellow, damaged, dead, or diseased leaves with sterilised gardening shears.
Cut a few stems in spring or summer to encourage more growth and control plant size. Additionally, wipe dusty leaves with a soft cloth or microfiber dusting gloves like Evridwear.
Potting and Repotting
Monstera albo borsigiana grows slowly. Therefore, only repot them after 2 – 3 years or so if it outgrows the current pot or is rootbound. You will notice roots growing from the drainage holes when it is rootbound.
When repotting, use a slightly larger pot, around 2 – 4 inches wider in diameter, in early spring or during the growing season.
Is Monstera deliciosa the same as monstera albo borsigiana?
Monstera borsigiana is one of the varieties of Monstera deliciosa, also known as Swiss cheese plant, split-leaf philodendron, or Windowleaf. Also, Swiss cheese may refer to as Monstera Adansonii or Monstera obliqua.
Here are features that will help you differentiate Monstera borsigiana from Monstera deliciosa:
| Feature | Monstera borsigiana | Monstera deliciosa |
| Growing Habits | Grows more like a vining plant such as pothos. You will mostly find it sold with a stake or moss pole. | It’s a bit stout and spreads or sprawls over a larger area. Nonetheless, in the wild, it does grow very long. |
| Geniculum (knee-like bend where leaf base meets petiole) | It appears smooth | It has wavy edges or a crispate (wrinkled) margin |
| Stems | It has thinner stems with longer internodes, and leaves are far from each other | It has thicker stems with shorter internodes, and leaves are close to each other |
| Leaf size and appearance | Leaves have fewer splits/fenestrations, thicker pinnate with even splits or separation. Additionally, they are smaller, about 1.5 feet. | It has more splits/fenestrated leaves, i.e., you will notice more splits and holes, and the splits are not even. Additionally, the leaves are more prominent, up to 3 feet in size. |
