Different Types of Monstera Plants

Monstera types are highly popular in homes due to their large eye-catching foliage. They often have splits in their leaves, otherwise known as fenestrations and natural holes, which help them catch more light in their natural habitat. The most common Monstera types is known as the Swiss Cheese Plant and the Monkey Mask Monstera, both with their common names related to their unique holey foliage.

Belonging to the family Araceae, with around fifty different types of Monstera, there are some that are very common, such as the Monstera Deliciosa, but some are quite rare, such as the Monstera Siltepecana. You may notice that some Philodendrons and Raphidophoras share similar characteristics to Monstera types, but this is because they both belong to the Araceae family.

Monstera Size

Of course, different types of Monstera plants certainly have different sizes, ranging from some humongous 8-foot Monstera deliciosas to a pruned-down small-leaved Monstera dubia that can maintain a size of only 6 inches. Whatever your space, there’s a type of Monstera for everyone.

Monstera Foliage

The leaves are usually waxy and vary in size, with some from the Monstera Deliciosa growing up to 45 cm across and those of the Monstera Stiltepecana growing to less than 13 cm. They all have something interesting and unique to them, such as holes, patterns or colours. This individuality is what makes so many people magnetised to the Monstera. Give them a wipe clean every now and again to keep them in great condition to allow them to photosynthesise well and they’ll thank you with many gorgeous healthy leaves.

Trailing or vining, Monsteras have a dramatic and wild quality which makes them prime contenders when creating your own indoor jungle.

Monstera Leaf Variegation

Many types of Monsteras can have variegated leaves, otherwise known as leaf variegation. This is beautiful mutation in the leaves that gives rise to individual patterns and splodges that vary in colour. There are some that have white panels or stripes, yellow and green dappling and some even resemble the night sky, like the Monstera Thai Constellation. These variegated Monstera types are quite sought after and typically get sold out.

Types of Monstera

Monstera Deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant)

Of all the Monstera types, this is the most well-known and popular, with its big glossy leaves and seductive fenestrations. Also known as the split-leaf philodendron, this rainforest dweller has some awesome variegated versions, such as the Monstera Thai Constellation, and some even have pure white leaves. Variegated Monsteras are super rare, so if you see them, make sure to snatch them up! Variegated Monsteras also have specific care needs, so look up how to care for them and treat them like the princesses they are.

It usually grows to about 1.5 m tall and spreads 50 cm across at a rate of 30 - 60 cm a year along with throwing out some aerial roots when kept as a houseplant.

Fun fact: In the wild, the Monstera Deliciosa can produce edible fruit that tastes like a cross between pineapple and banana! Hence the “Deliciosa” part of its name. 

Care:

• Place in a spot with bright indirect light
• They love high humidity so remember to mist regularly
• The Monstera Deliciosa is a climbing plant that likes to be supported by a moss pole
• Water when the top 1 inch of soil has dried out drain off excess water
• Feed once a month during Spring and Summer
• It will grow 2 leaves a month if cared for well
• Toxic to cats and dogs

Raphidophora Tetrasperma (Monstera Minima)

Oops! This little plant is the odd one out. The Monstera Minima or Dwarf Monstera looks like a spitting image of a Monstera Deliciosa but just miniature, and it belongs to the same family of Araceae, but is actually part of the Raphidophora genus. So it’s not a Monstera at all!

This type of Monstera is a compact version of the Monstera Deliciosa. It looks almost the exact same and has very similar care: a great option for smaller spaces like bathrooms. It looks gorgeous trailing up a moss pole or cascading from a hanging pot. When kept as a houseplant, the Monstera Minima grows to up to 1.2 - 1.5 m tall and leaves are usually around 20 cm.

Care:

• Loves bright indirect light.
• High humidity, don’t forget to mist!
• This is another climbing Monstera - train it up a mossy pole for support or let it hang from a suspended pot.
• If it becomes a bit leggy, just prune it back and consider giving it a little more light.
• Feed once a month in Spring and Summer.
• Toxic to cats and dogs.

Monstera Adansonii (Monkey Mask Monstera)

One of our favourite Monstera types, the monkey mask Monstera is incredibly unique and eye-catching with its many aesthetic-looking holes in the foliage. Its beautiful delicate leaves shine and thrive in low-medium indirect light. To make it really stand out, grab one in a hanging pot and hang it in a medium-light room. Just don’t put these types of Monstera in direct sunlight or those gorgeous leaves will toast up! 

If you’d rather a desk companion, why not opt for this little cutie, or intrigue your guests with a Hydroponic Monkey Mask Monstera?

Grows up to 1 m tall, 1 m wide with leaves up to about 20 cm long.

Care:

• Prefers low indirect light, perfect for darker rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Mist frequently for high humidity!
• Let the soil dry out before you water it.
• Attach the climbing leaves to a type of support or let them hang down.
• Fertilise once a month from Spring to Summer with general houseplant fertiliser.
• Yellow leaves can mean it has too much light or water.
• Brown leaves can mean it doesn’t have enough light or humidity.
• Toxic to people and pets!

Monstera Epipreminoides (Monstera Esqueleto)

The Monstera epipreminoides is very similar to the Monstera Adansonii. The foliage has the same holes and the care is the same, the difference being in size. Monstera Adansonii has small leaves when the plant is in its youth and as the plant grows it grows new bigger leaves. Epipreminoides grows large leaves from a young age and the plant gets bigger as a whole. Overall these types of Monstera grow larger than the Adansonii.

Monstera Obliqua

The Monstera Obliqua is extremely similar to the Monstera Adansonii, the main difference being that the leaves of the Obliqua are smoother and quite thin with more holes in the leaves. An easy way to tell them apart is that the Adansonii has more leaves than holes and vice versa for these types of Monstera.

Monstera Standleyana (Philodendron Cobra)

With pointy green leaves, this climbing Monstera can be a little rarer to find than the previous Monstera types listed here. It has a couple of variegated options too, with the Standleyana Albo having white variegations and the Standleyana Aurea having yellow variegations. Both of these make for very cool and eye-catching foliage, with splodges, stripes and dappled areas on the green, different on every leaf!

Usually grows around 1 - 1.5 m tall but it is a prolific climber and can grow up to 6 m in the right conditions without pruning! If you want it to grow vertically, train it around something e.g. your furniture!

Care:

• Loves lots of indirect sunlight!
• Humidity lover like all Monstera types so ensure you mist regularly.
• Wait until the top inch of soil is dry before watering but don’t let it dry out completely.
• Fertilise during the growing period in Spring and Summer.
• Repot once a year as the roots grow very fast.
• Toxic to humans and pets!

Monstera Pinnatipartita

Similar to the Monstera deliciosa, the Monstera pinnatipartita is a type of Monstera with huge waxy leaves in maturity with plenty of fenestrations. Wipe the leaves clean to keep them free of dust and allow them to photosynthesise so they can be at their best! 

As a juvenile, these rare types of Monstera have whole oval leaves but as it grows you will receive some leaves of serious grandeur, so give it the care it needs and you will be rewarded!

Care:

• Pop in a spot with bright indirect light.
• Likes a bit of humidity. Group it together with other plants to achieve this or mist in the morning.
• Water when the soil is almost completely dry.
• Fertilise between Spring and Summer in the growing period.
• Toxic to people and pets.

Monstera Siltepecana

These gorgeous Monstera types are smaller than most, with small leaves but will still climb or trail. The leaves are dark green in maturity and will eventually develop the notorious Monstera holes close to the midrib when left to grow many leaves. They often have silvery splodges making this type of Monstera another treat for the eyes.

Generally speaking, these Monstera types will be in their juvenile stages up to about 80 cm and then will start to develop their mature leaves and grow as much as you let them. The leaves get up to around 13 cm long.

Care:

• Prefers bright indirect sunlight
• Mist regularly to keep humidity levels high
• Water once the top 5cm of soil are dry
• Fertilise monthly in Spring and Summer
• Toxic to people and pets

Free Monsteras!

You can propagate all types of Monsteras very easily in water. When you prune them, put the leaf and stem (just below a node) in some water and it will grow new roots. Then you can either keep them in water or pot them in soil, but generally plants propagated in water like to stay in the water as your new hydroponic friend.

Blooming Brilliant

There are many types of Monstera suitable for your home with stunning unique foliage. Some of the variegated Monstera options are incredible but are also hard to find and can be expensive if you do manage to find them but the thrill is in the chase! 

Overall, the most popular Monstera types are the Monstera deliciosa and the monkey mask. But, there are so many gorgeous other types out there, once you have one we guarantee you’ll end up having another!