Why is Monstera Albo So Expensive? Understanding Its Rarity

Monstera Obliqua is a rare, delicate plant with more holes than foliage, highly sought-after due to slow growth, difficulty in propagating, and limited availability. Its high price is due to rarity, demand, and unique characteristics like variegation, making it challenging to obtain.

Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata, commonly known as Monstera Albo, is a rare and unique variety of the ever-popular Monstera Deliciosa.

It is characterized by its white variegation, which gives it an eye-catching look that makes it highly sought after by plant collectors. 

But why is Monstera Albo so expensive? 

This article will explore the reasons for the plant’s rarity and its resulting price tag.

What Factors Make Monstera Albo So Rare and Expensive

Several factors contribute to Monstera Albo’s rarity and sky-high price tag.

The following are some of the most prominent reasons:

1. Supply and Demand

One reason for the high cost of the Monstera Albo is its increasing demand due to social media.

The plant has become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly on Instagram, where people share photos of their plants or dream of owning one. This has led to increased demand for the plant that far outstrips its supply.

Another factor contributing to the high cost of the Monstera Albo is its limited supply.

This variety grows slowly, produces low levels of chlorophyll, and can only be found in certain regions. As a result, there isn’t enough of it available to meet the growing demand from plant collectors worldwide.

Finally, rarity and exclusivity play a major role in making this variety expensive.

Plant collectors are willing to pay top dollar for something that not everyone else has access to, which makes it even more desirable and drives up prices further still.

2. Difficulty in Propagation

The Monstera Albo is a variegated subspecies of the popular Monstera deliciosa, and a natural mutation causes its unique white patterning.

This mutation is from the genetic DNA of the specific plant, meaning that each leaf on a Monstera Albo is unique.

As such, it can be difficult to propagate this variety of plant from seeds, as the mutation may not carry over to future generations.

Propagation by cuttings is another option for growing Monstera Albo, but it requires skill and patience.

The process involves taking stem cuttings from an existing plant and rooting them in soil or water until they form their own roots.

However, when propagating a variegated plant, it’s possible that some of the cuttings won’t be as vibrant or colorful as their parent plant.

This means that growers have to be more selective when propagating this type of plant, which drives up the cost.

3. Unpredictable Variegation

Variegation is a genetic abnormality that causes plants to produce leaves with different colors or patterns than normal.

In the case of the Monstera Albo, each plant will have a unique pattern of white and green on its leaves.

This makes it difficult to predict what kind of variegation any given plant will have, making it highly desirable among collectors and increasing its price tag.

Another factor that contributes to the high cost of Monstera Albo is its rarity.

Because of its unpredictable nature, it can be difficult to find plants with desirable variegation patterns, making them hard to come by and driving up their prices even further.

4. Short Life Span of Leaves

The Monstera Albo has variegated leaves, meaning they have white patches.

This variegation is caused by a lack of chlorophyll in the leaves, which prevents them from photosynthesizing as effectively as regular green leaves.

As a result, these plants grow slower, and their leaves don’t last as long as other plants.

This means that while the Monstera Albo may look stunning in your home, you must replace its leaves more often than other houseplants.

This can be costly over time and explains why the plant is so expensive.

5. Stability of Variegation

Variegation in plants can become less pronounced as the plant matures. This means that even if you purchase a variegated Monstera Albo, it may not stay that way for long.

This is one of the reasons why this Monstera plant is so expensive – there’s no guarantee that the variegation will remain stable over time.

Some growers have reported success in stabilizing variegation through selective breeding.

By carefully selecting which plants to propagate and cross-pollinate, they can create more stable varieties with consistent levels of variegation.

While this process takes time and effort, it can help ensure that each new generation of Monstera Albo has consistent levels of variegation – something that many buyers are willing to pay for.

Average Prices for Monstera Albo

Monstera Albo is a rare and highly sought-after plant, making it one of the most expensive houseplants on the market.

It’s a variegated subspecies of Monstera deliciosa, and its unique foliage makes it a popular choice for indoor gardens.

The average price for Monstera Albo ranges from $100 to $700 for a small plant to upwards of $5,000 or more for a large specimen.

The size and degree of variegation will affect the price of your Monstera Albo plant.

Smaller plants tend to be less expensive than larger ones, while plants with more white variegation are typically more expensive than those with less.

Additionally, plants that have been professionally propagated can cost more than those that have been grown from seed or cuttings.

Overall, the cost of Monstera Albo plants can vary significantly depending on their characteristics.

Monstera Deliciosa Albo vs. Monstera Albo Borsigiana

Monstera deliciosa albo and Monstera Albo Borsigiana  are two varieties of the same species, Monstera deliciosa.

Both varieties have large, glossy leaves with unique variegations, but they differ in size and shape.

The most obvious difference between the two is their size.

The leaves of the Deliciosa variety can grow up to three feet wide and long, while the Monstera Borsigiana variety is much smaller and can only reach about a foot in length.

The stem of the Deliciosa also has a “shrimp-like” appearance, while the stem of the Borsigiana is longer and more slender.

Another difference between these two varieties is their variegation patterns.

The Deliciosa variety typically has white or yellow spots on its leaves, while the Monstera Borsigiana variety often has bright red or pink markings.

The Thai Constellation and Monstera Albo Borsigiana Variegata are popular variegated forms of this species that feature both colors.

When it comes to caring requirements, both varieties need similar conditions to thrive.

They prefer bright indirect light, high humidity levels, and regular watering when the soil feels dry to the touch. Additionally, they should be fertilized every few weeks during their growing season for optimal growth.

Monstera deliciosa albo and Monstera Albo Borsigiana are beautiful houseplants that can add a unique look to any home or office space.

Although they share many similarities in terms of care requirements, their differences in size and variegation patterns make them stand out from one another.

Comparison with Other Variegated Monstera Plants

When it comes to variegated Monstera plants, the Monstera Albo is a popular choice. 

However, there are other varieties of variegated Monstera plants that you may want to consider.

Monstera Thai Constellation

The Monstera Thai Constellation is one of the most similar varieties to the Albo Monstera.

Both have large leaves with white and green variegation, but there are some key differences between them.

The Albo has more chunky blocks of variegation with some speckles, and the variegated parts are also closer to a pure white color.

On the other hand, the Thai Monstera has smaller leaves with more tightly packed variegation that is usually a lighter green or yellowish-green color.

Monstera Aurea

Another popular variety is the Monstera Aurea, which resembles an Albo but has more tightly packed leaves that rarely reach a mature size of more than two feet.

Compared to the Albo and Thai Constellation, this variety has much brighter colors and bolder patterns in its foliage.

Monstera Obliqua

There is also a rarer variety called Monstera Obliqua which can be difficult to find in nurseries or online stores.

This variety has much larger leaves than all of the others mentioned above, and its foliage features bold stripes of yellow or cream-colored variegation on a deep green background.

Overall, each of these four varieties offers something unique regarding their foliage and appearance.

Whether you’re looking for something bright and bold or something subtle yet striking, you will find something that fits your style among these four varieties of variegated Monstera plants!

Final Thoughts

The Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata is one of the most expensive plants for several reasons.

The plant’s unique coloration is caused by a natural mutation not genetically passed down through seeds reliably, making it challenging to propagate.

Even cuttings do not always produce the same variegation, making it more difficult to find and grow variegated Monstera plants.

Additionally, Monstera Albo produces less chlorophyll, which slows down its growth and requires a certain skill level to grow successfully.

Secondly, the plant’s high demand has resulted in a limited supply, driving its price.

Finally, the rarity of the variegated Monstera plants is because they are challenging to grow, and usually, the more rare something is, the more people want it, leading to a high demand and a corresponding high price.

In conclusion, the Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata is an expensive plant due to its natural mutation, slow growth rate, limited supply, and high demand.

Nevertheless, its unique and striking foliage makes it a popular choice among those looking to add character to their home or office.

It may be pricey, but it can bring years of beauty and enjoyment with the right care!