Cultivar guide · Monstera deliciosa
Monstera Albo Borsigiana
Large heart-shaped leaves with crisp, irregular white sectoral variegation — entire half-leaves or "moon"-shaped pure white sections are common. Variegation is unstable and can revert to all-green on any new growth.
Family
Araceae
Classification
variety
Mature size
4–6 ft tall indoors on a moss pole; 1–2 ft wide leaves at maturity
Pet safety
toxic to cats and dogs
Care at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect light is essential — white variegated sections have no chlorophyll and cannot photosynthesize. Place within 2–4 ft of an east window or behind sheer curtain on a south window.
- Water
- Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry; the white sections make this cultivar slightly thirstier than green Monstera deliciosa because it photosynthesizes less efficiently.
- Humidity
- 60% or higher (a humidifier is recommended; dry winter air browns the white sections fast)
- Temperature
- 65–85°F (18–29°C); no cold drafts below 55°F
How to tell it apart from look-alikes
Often confused with Monstera Thai Constellation, but Albo Borsigiana has crisp sectoral (block-shaped) variegation while Thai Constellation has speckled, cream-colored variegation. Sellers sometimes list "Monstera variegata" — verify it is the borsigiana variety (smaller, faster-growing) vs. a true large-form Monstera deliciosa "Albo Variegata."
Pet safety: Monstera Albo Borsigiana is toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA. Verify on ASPCA.
Botanical reference: Missouri Botanical Garden — Monstera deliciosa
For full care of the parent species, see the Monstera care guide.