Get ready, plant lovers!
Today we’re talking about a plant that’s not just a green thumb’s dream, but also a major sensation on social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest.
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Meet the Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata, a tall, tropical plant with a vibrant personality that echoes its native jungle environment.
This strikingly variegated Monstera variety boasts white-green leaves that simply captivate the eye.
But, be warned: owning one of these babies is not only a status symbol but also a testament to your botanical prowess.
Its uniquely perforated, white-green leaves and striking variegation, which can range from white to mint-green to yellow, have made it a coveted piece in any plant collection.
Getting your hands on one of these isn’t as easy as walking into your local nursery.
Why, you ask? The Albo Variegata isn’t your average houseplant. It’s delicate and needs a certain level of skill to grow.
Its white variegation means it produces less chlorophyll, resulting in slower growth and photosynthesis.
Combine this with high demand, and you’ve got a plant that’s not just hard to find, but when you do, it’s going to be a pretty penny.
How Much Does This Rare Plant Cost?
In 2021, a rare variegated monstera plant, specifically the Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata, sold for an eye-watering $19,297 on Trade Me, a popular New Zealand auction website.
This sale set a new record, making it the most expensive plant ever sold on the platform. Talk about plant fever!
The impressive houseplant with its striking white and green leaves sparked a fierce bidding war, receiving a whopping 248 bids before the auction finally closed.
The seller of this rare plant, known only as ‘G’, initially listed the plant with a modest reserve of $1.
However, to their astonishment, the auction quickly escalated, with plant enthusiasts and collectors driving the price up into the thousands.
‘G’ expressed surprise at the final sale price, stating they never expected the bidding to go so high.
The sale highlighted the growing interest and market for rare and unique houseplants, particularly among millennials and Gen Z who are eager to add a touch of nature to their indoor spaces.
Another Show Stopper
Another such plant also sparked an online bidding war, ultimately selling for almost $5,000 after 182 bids.!
This particular specimen was a mature, fully rooted mother plant, a rarity in the market.
The seller was a Kiwi botanist named Jessica, who emphasized the rarity of the mature, rooted plant she offered.
The Meaning Behind The Name
The name “Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata” can be broken down into several parts, each describing a different characteristic of the plant.
“Monstera” is the genus name, a broad group of plants.
The name is believed to be derived from the Latin word for “monstrous,” referring to the large size that some species in this genus can reach.
“Deliciosa” is the species name and is Latin for “delicious.”
This refers to the edible fruit that mature plants can produce, which is said to taste similar to a combination of banana, pineapple, and mango.
“Albo” is a short form of “albino” or “alba,” which is Latin for “white.”
This term is often used in horticulture to describe plants with white markings or a significant lack of pigment.
“Variegata” is derived from “variegated,” which is used to describe plants that exhibit more than one color in their leaves.
Variegated leaves typically have patches, stripes, or margins of different colors, often due to a mutation that causes a lack of chlorophyll in some of the plant cells.
So, putting it all together, “Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata” refers to a variant of the Monstera Deliciosa species that has variegated, or multi-colored, leaves featuring significant white coloration.
How Difficult Is It To Grow?
Interestingly, the Monstera Deliciosa doesn’t require a lot of water or soil substrate to grow.
It can survive by clinging onto other structures and extracting nutrition and moisture from the air and its surroundings, although it also does well in an airy, well-draining soil mix, preferably with added moss and perlite.
Other Rare Monstera Plants
Some monstera varieties are rare but rarer still are the variegated versions of these plants.
Variegations are genetic mutations that cause them to develop white or yellow streaks or spots.
This feature makes them extremely hard to find and expensive.
There are a few other Monstera plants that have variegated varieties, including Monstera Borsigiana and Monstera Obliqua (a.k.a. Adansonii).
There are multiple colors of variegation, adding to the diversity and appeal of these plants.
Enjoy this video below of some of the most expensive plants in the world:
A Rare Find
The Monstera Deliciosa Albo Variegata truly is a world-class diva in the plant kingdom, with its captivating variegated leaves and its record-breaking price tags.
This ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’ continues to leave its mark (and holes!) in the hearts of many, taking us on a green, tropical journey right in the comfort of our living rooms.
Whether you’re lucky enough to own one of these verdant beauties or simply enjoy marveling at them from afar, one thing’s for sure: the Monstera craze is here to stay.
So, keep those green thumbs at the ready, because you never know when you might stumble upon your own piece of this ‘green gold’!”
Do you own a variegated Monstera? Let us know in the comments!
And if you like variegated varieties, check out this article: Monstera adansonii: The Underestimated Monstera Variety
