Variegated Monstera Propagation

Variegated Monstera grown from cutting

Monstera Deliciosa plants are very popular houseplants due to their uniquely shaped leaves, but of all of the Monstera plants, without a doubt the most coveted is the Variegated Monstera due to their unique colouring – they have patches of white and sometimes (although very rarely) can produce entirely white leaves.  Unfortunately they are also difficult to find and often very expensive, so it is important that if you do manage to get your hands on one that you don’t kill it!  Luckily through this experiment we have found some tricks to help you ensure your cutting thrives and can grow into a full sized plant.  This cutting was purchased online with some root growth and just one leaf in December 2017.  Since then it has been placed in a self watering pot which seems to have been a key success factor in it’s growth so far because it has kept the water supply consistent.  So far, there are a number of tips for your own success of one of these plants:

• Get a self watering pot – Unless you already have confidence in your ability to grow these temperamental cuttings, it is best to get a self watering pot so that you know the plant can have a steady and consistent source of water.  This means that the cutting won’t get stressed by erratic watering and can focus on growing! We recommend this pot on Amazon.

UPDATE: You can also convert your candle jars into a self watering pot using this insert.  If you want to know more about the insert and see how effective it is, see this post about a maidenhair fern rescue.  There is currently an offer if you buy 3, using code: 3FOR12

• Put it in bright light – While the white parts of the leaves are what make it unique, they aren’t actually functional – these parts lack chlorophyll and so limit the ability for the plant to photosynthesise.  Ensuring your plant gets plenty of sunlight will help to counteract this.

January 2018

16th January 2018: Monstera cutting planted in self watering pot in indirect sunlight

May 2018

25th May: The original variegated leaf, with new leaf growth in the background

25th May: New leaf sprout appears very pale green colour

June 2018

2nd June: The new leaf is beginning to unfurl towards the light

2nd June: Unfurling new leaf growth showing signs of some variegation

9th June: A week later the leaf has unfurled

28th of June: The new leaf growth is taller than the second leaf and looks like it will unfurl any day now

28th June: Close up of the new growth showing variegation which will appear when the leaf opens

28th June: Full view of the plant with the new leaf growth

July 2018

1st July: The new leaf is unfurling

4th July: The newest leaf has unfurled and the colour comparison shows how the second leaf has darkened since it has matured. There is also signs of another new leaf growing at the bottom of the plant

4th July: This plant has gone from a single leaf cutting to three leaves in just three months

22nd July 2018: An initial bud of an aerial root can be seen growing

29th July 2018: Another leaf is about to unfurl

29th July 2018: The plant can be seen with the new leaf

1st August 2018: The leaf is unfurling and the top of the leaf is showing a solid white area

1st August 2018: Close up on the unfurling leaf showing the solid white section

1st August 2018: Full view of the plant shows the new leaves are growing but still are much lighter in colour than the original leaf (bottom right)

13th September 2018: The cutting which originally was just one leaf is now five healthy leaves with more on the way

13th September 2018: Side view of the plant shows the vine and significant aerial root growth

8th October 2018: Another new leaf growing

8th October 2018: The full view of the plant shows that it now has five leaves with another on the way

19th October 2018: The newest leaf has now unfurled and is the first in this plant to have a split leaf

19th October: Side view of the plant shows that it is starting to lean, so some reinforcement is being added to straighten the plant to help it grow vertically

19th October: The plant has now been straightening with a clip to ensure it grows upright

19th October: Close up of the clip used to stabilise the plant

The clips that were used are usually called Orchid Clips as they are frequently used to make orchids grow vertically.  They are available here.  The support sticks are sold on amazon (link)

19th October: The healthy plant now with six leaves, originally started as a single leaf cutting

RECAP

This cutting has now grown into a medium sized plant – it is extremely healthy and now has grown leaves with more variegation and split leaves.  The future is promising for this plant!

The rapid growth of this monstera is credited to the self watering pot – this ensured the cutting always had a consistent source of water and was able to grow strong roots and leaves

The key ingredient to the success of this propagation is the self watering pot.  Self watering pots are available in most gardening centres, link to buy online here

If you liked this post you will also like the post we did on an almost completely white variegated Monstera here.

And if you are looking for your own variegated monstera, see our complete guide of where to buy here.

Other plant growth stories you might like:

Monstera Deliciosa Growth

Fiddle Leaf Fig Propagation

Fiddle Leaf Fig Rescue