Are you ready for a horticultural journey to the lesser-known corners of the botanical world?
We’re about to embark on an exciting trip to the land of rare and exquisite Monstera varieties that will leave you inspired and, quite possibly, clamoring to expand your indoor jungle.
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While the Monstera Deliciosa or the Monstera Adansonii might be the stars of your Instagram feed, there are some lesser-known species that are equally, if not more, stunning and unique.
1. Monstera Subpinnata
Monstera Subpinnata is a heavily segmented Monstera that originated in Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Bolivia.
It has a distinctive pinnate leaf structure that gives it a captivating feather-like look.
Its leaves are slender and can reach a length of up to 2 feet when mature. When allowed, this plant can grow up to 30 feet tall.
Unlike its other family members, it has a slightly climbing nature, giving it an exotic appeal.
This particular variety thrives in 90% humidity and should received medium indirect sunlight.
Find this rare beauty on specialized online plant stores or in local botanical garden sales.
2. Monstera Siltepecana
Originating from the rainforests of Central and South America, the Monstera Siltepecana thrives in bright, indirect light and high humidity conditions mimicking its tropical home.
Its leaves start as a deep, shiny silver with green veins, morphing into a rich, emerald green as they mature.
The Monstera Siltepecana is an excellent choice if you want the appeal of a Monstera in a smaller package.
This silvery leaf beauty is perfect for hanging baskets or trellises, allowing its trailing vines to cascade down beautifully.
It prefers well-draining soil and consistent watering once the top layer of soil feels dry.
This species can be sourced from niche online nurseries that cater to collectors.
3. Monstera Pinnatipartita
The Monstera Pinnatipartita hails from the dense forests of Colombia and Ecuador.
It has large, shiny leaves that split beautifully as they mature, creating a stunning lacy effect.
The mature leaves can reach an impressive size, making this plant a real statement piece.
It thrives in bright but indirect sunlight and enjoys a good balance of watering, ensuring its soil remains damp but never waterlogged.
This showstopper plant loves climbing, so providing a moss pole can help it grow tall and robust.
Track this rarity down at specialized tropical plant retailers or high-end plant events.
4. Monstera Obliqua
The elusive Monstera Obliqua, native to the Amazon Rainforest, is a true humidity lover and prefers a warm, bright environment without direct sunlight.
The elusive Monstera Obliqua is often confused with the more common Monstera Adansonii.
What sets it apart is the leaf hole ratio: Obliqua’s leaves are often more hole than leaf, creating a gorgeous, delicate lattice effect.
Its rarity and delicate leaf structure require keen observation for any sign of distress.
Ensure it has well-draining soil and maintain a consistent watering schedule, allowing the soil to slightly dry out between watering.
Due to its rarity, it might be a challenge to find, but checking with a reputable exotic plant dealer might get you lucky!
5. Monstera Dubia
Monstera Dubia, found in the forests of Central and South America, is a truly unique species in the family.
It starts its life as a flat, vine-like plant with heart-shaped leaves that cling to tree trunks.
But as it matures and starts to climb, its leaves turn into the iconic, split Monstera form.
As a climber, providing a bark or moss support can stimulate its growth and encourage the development of its unique split leaves.
It enjoys bright, indirect light and high humidity, imitating its natural environment.
You can find this variety at specialized plant shows or from collectors who propagate their own plants.
6. Monstera Spruceana
Monstera Spruceana originates from the understories of Colombian and Peruvian forests.
It boasts of elongated, textured leaves with a distinct ribbed pattern.
The leaves often have a slightly pleated look, making them visually interesting and unique.
It favors bright, indirect light and thrives in a high-humidity environment.
Ensure its soil is well-draining and maintains a watering schedule that allows the top inch of the soil to dry out between waterings.
To see the actual plant, check out this Spreceana video on Youtube.
7. Monstera Standleyana
Native to the rainforests of Central and South America, the Monstera Standleyana loves warmth, high humidity, and bright but indirect light.
Also known as the Five Holes Plant, it bears elongated leaves with a variety of stunning variegation patterns.
The leaves are typically a glossy, deep green with cream or yellow marbling.
The uniqueness lies in its variability: no two leaves are the same! Try getting hold of this striking variety from a dedicated online nursery or a rare plant auction.
Its soil should be rich, well-draining, and kept consistently moist, but not waterlogged.
A climbing plant, it will appreciate a trellis or pole to grow up.
8. Monstera Peru
Also known as Monstera Karstenianum, Monstera Peru is prized for its compact size and deep, textured leaves that look like they’ve been carved out of dark green marble.
Hailing from the tropical forests of Peru, hence its name, Monstera Peru prefers a warm, humid environment and bright, indirect light.
Its soil should be rich and well-draining, and a climbing aid, such as a moss pole, can help to showcase its impressive textured leaves.
This is a climber, and its intriguing texture becomes more pronounced as it grows.
Keep an eye out for this variety at your local botanical gardens or specialized plant nurseries.
9. Monstera Lechleriana
Monstera Lechleriana, indigenous to the rainforests of Ecuador and Peru, appreciates a warm, humid environment.
This charming species of Monstera has large, glossy leaves that are rich green in color and deeply incised along the edges, giving them an elaborate look.
It thrives in bright, indirect light and requires a well-draining soil mix that retains some moisture.
Providing a sturdy support will help this robust climber grow and thrive.
Monstera Lechleriana is relatively rare and can often be found at exotic plant auctions or from specialized online retailers.
10. Monstera Deliciosa ‘Borsigiana Albo Variegata’
This is a variegated subspecies of the widely loved Monstera Deliciosa.
Its breathtaking leaves are a mosaic of green and creamy white, with each leaf boasting a unique pattern.
A native of the tropical rainforests of Southern Mexico, this variegated Monstera needs more light than its all-green counterparts to maintain its vibrant variegation.
It loves a humid environment and requires a peat-based soil mix to keep its roots happy.
Water it thoroughly when the top inch of the soil is dry, and ensure it has a climbing support to encourage upward growth.
Due to its variegated nature, this Monstera is quite sought after and can often be found in rare plant sales or from private collectors.
Know more about this variety in this article: Most Expensive Monstera: A Price Tag As Monstrous As Its Name!
Do You Own Any Of These Rare Varieties?
Each of these lesser-known Monstera varieties brings a unique aesthetic and an air of mystery to your plant collection.
They are sure to ignite conversations and become the prized possession of any indoor gardener.
But they are extremely hard to find so let us know if you have one! Share a story of how you got them in the comments, we’d love to hear it!
And if you want to add more to your plant collection, you might want to start sleuthing where to find one of these varieties.
Happy plant hunting!
