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Monstera Albo Borsigiana Variegata (How Come It’s So Expensive?)

Who hasn’t heard of this plant, which was popular in the 1980s and is now a must-have in modern interiors? In addition, who wouldn’t want to see such a beloved plant “stained” white?

I chose the Monstera albo Borsigiana as my house’s queen from the other contenders. The beauty, low maintenance, and uniqueness of this plant earned it this honor. 

Has been my companion for more than a decade. In contrast to its green cousin, this one is smaller and better suited for smaller spaces like apartments.

It’s a tough species that can withstand the most common and dreaded pests, like aphids and the cottony mealybug, thanks to its tropical origins (the jungles of Central and South America). 

You’ll get the jungle vibe you’ve been looking for thanks to its “ribbed” leaves.

One of the easiest plants to care for and maintain, it can withstand a wide range of lighting conditions.

They look fantastic in bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens with windows that let in natural light!

Monstera Albo Borsigiana Variegata
Monstera Albo Borsigiana Variegata

Why Monstera Albo Borsigiana Variegata Expensive?

The most expensive species of this botanical family, monstera albo borsigiana is among the easiest to care for and most visually appealing.

Monstera Albo Borsigiana Variegata is a genetically modified specimen that has green and white variegation instead of being uniformly green. Exotic specimens with this type of genetic variation are highly sought after by both the market and collectors. 

There has been a strong desire to acquire rare species at any cost. That is why the demand for this expensive plant is skyrocketing!

However, there is a B-side to variegation that no one explains or realizes because it is clearly anti-marketing. This means that the leaves can be stained white, then stop doing so; or a green leaf can come out and the following ones are all white. It is something that cannot be controlled or changed because it is a part of each specimen’s genetic development.

  • It is an excellent air purifier, making it an easy-to-maintain plant and useful addition to our homes.
  • If you have a pet that likes to eat plants, you should avoid this species. 

Monstera albo Borsigiana Variegata Care Guide

All of our plants are ready to grow for at least six months in the containers and substrates that the garden stores provide.  

However, I recommend that you wait 15 days before transplanting them so that they aren’t stressed out by the change in environment (nursery vs. your home). 

  • Pot Material/Size: 18 cm plastic pot.
  • Height of plant: 45 cm (pot included).

Watering

I water as the soil dries out, following the golden rule – it is better to dry out a little than to overwater.  

Brown spots appear on leaves if you overwater. A warm hygienic shower helps to keep the plant clean.

In order to avoid puddles when watering, the ideal is to drain the water thoroughly and to separate it from the excess water that remains in the plate after irrigation.

Light

A good amount of light without direct sunlight is ideal for this plant, but it can also thrive in areas with very little light.

Temperature/Humidity

If you live in a dry or heated environment, I recommend using a humidifier in order to increase humidity levels.

For Beautiful Leaf

Light also has an effect on the color of the leaves. They turn more green when there is insufficient light (such as in the winter). 

My monstera is on the east side and frequently indulges me with “domino” leaves as a (two-colored, with a border exactly in the middle).

I’ve noticed that if I don’t change the orientation to the light (don’t rotate it), the leaves grow large. In addition, they will be much smaller if you “rotate” the pot on a regular basis with the plant. With this in mind, it is possible to get the leaf plates to the desired size.

Growth Habit

It is a climber that forks from one leaf to the next. Smaller leaves are smooth or have few holes, but as they mature their leaves are born with larger and more frequent holes that are distributed throughout the entire leaf. 

As a long-lived plant, it has the potential to reach enormous size. You can keep it in a pot for the rest of its life, only changing it if its roots encroach on the entire pot.

Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizer with a low percentage of nitrogen is used to maintain the plant’s variegation. 

Dilute the fertilizer with twice the amount of water indicated on the package, and apply it to the plant with a previous watering and wet soil in order to achieve the best results. 

Diluted fertilizer can also be sprayed on the leaves to aid in their growth. 

In the fall and winter, I fertilize once a month, and in the spring and summer, we recommend fertilizing twice a month. 

Pests

I recommend that you spray the plant with potassium soap and Neem oil every 20 days as a preventative measure, even though it is a rather rustic species. Diluted diatomaceous earth can also be used to keep pests at bay.

Check out my article on how to get rid of bugs on monstera. 

Propagating Monstera Albo Borsigiana

Monstera Albo Borsigiana Cutting
Monstera Albo Borsigiana Cutting

Every two to three years, I re-grow it from cuttings to keep it fresh and vibrant. The apical one with three to four leaves is the best. Rooting is simple: I immerse the stem in water and add activated charcoal.

A single node makes it ideal for propagation and cuttings, from which roots and shoots will grow. There are only a few cuts in the fifth or seventh of these leaves, which are juvenile, solid leaves.

You May Also Enjoy: Monstera Deliciosa Vs Borsigiana (Differences and Similarities)

Why Is My Monstera Crying?

Monstera is known as a “crybaby” due to the fact that water drops fall from the tips of its leaves after excessive watering or in cloudy weather. 

For nutrition, plants need to absorb large amounts of water from the soil along with the salts dissolved in it.

To get rid of the extra water, the monstera’s leaves have special water stomata at the tips of the veins that allow the moisture to escape. 

The drops roll down the leaf’s edges to the pointed, curved tips, where they fall off.

Tips: Keep the leaves clean by wiping them with a cotton swab dipped in water to improve the amount of ambient light they receive. Spraying the aerial roots will help them grow and hold onto the surfaces you direct them to.

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