Propagating Monstera deliciosa ‘Albo’ borsigiana and Other Variegated Monsteras (Thai Constellation, Aurea, Mint)

What to Expect:

• You will receive a cutting with either one or two nodes depending on your selection.
• Your cutting will have the same number of leaves as the number of nodes.
• The white portions of the leave(s) have no chlorophyll which means they do not absorb energy from the Sun. This means you’ll want to ensure the cutting receives sufficient light to supply your plant with the energy required to produce roots and start making new leaves. Note: variegated plants require more light than their non-variegated counterparts.
• Highly variegated sections of the cuttings, i.e., portions that are completely white, may turn brown if there is insufficient light and/or humidity is below 40% for more than a few days. Don’t worry too much about the variegated portions turning brown while propagating, keep following the advice below and focus on keeping the green sections of leaves healthy until the cutting develops roots. Once your cutting has rooted and acclimated it will be able to maintain the white variegated portions on new leaves.
• Remember: Propagating isn’t always pretty and may test your patience but it will be worth it once your Albo starts making new beautiful leaves!

How to Grow Your Albo Cutting Successfully:

Option 1: Water Propagation

What you’ll need: (1) a jar of room-temperature water, (2) rooting hormone, and (3) a small amount of liquid fertilizer (3-1-2 N-P-K or a ratio equivalent to this, e.g., 9-3-6 NPK Dyna Gro Foliage Pro Liquid Plant Food).

• Note: You will have a healthier plant near the maximum amount of light the plant can safely take. Slowly increase the light while monitoring your plant to find the optimal location and lighting for the season of year. South facing windows are likely your best option.
• Caution: The leaves will have a slight yellowing if the light is too bright. You can try increasing the light when you have time to monitor your plant closely during the brightest parts of the day because exposure to direct, unfiltered sunlight for more than a few hours a day may result in burning the leaves (they will turn brown or black).

• Well-draining potting mix: 1 part coarse organic matter like orchid bark, coco coir or shredded bark; 1 part perlite or vermiculite; 2 parts organic potting soil.
• Caution: Using typical organic potting soil (box store soil, e.g., MiracleGro) alone will likely lead to root rot as it holds too much water. We highly advise mixing your soil as stated above. 

Option 2: Soil Propagation

What you’ll need: a small pot with drainage (4-6” diameter plastic grow pots work best) with premoistened, well-draining potting mix.

1. Place the cutting node-side-down into the pre-moistened well-draining potting mix and cover the node.

• Well-draining potting mix: 1 part coarse organic matter like orchid bark, coco coir or shredded bark; 1 part perlite or vermiculite; 2 parts organic potting soil.
• Caution: Using typical organic potting soil (box store soil, e.g., MiracleGro) alone will likely lead to root rot as it holds too much water. We highly advise mixing your soil as stated above.

• Note: You will have a healthier plant near the maximum amount of light the plant can safely take. Slowly increase the light while monitoring your plant to find the optimal location and lighting for the season of year. South facing windows are likely your best option.
• Caution: The leaves will have a slight yellowing if the light is too bright. You can try increasing the light when you have time to monitor your plant closely during the brightest parts of the day because exposure to direct, unfiltered sunlight for more than a few hours a day may result in burning the leaves (they will turn brown or black).

FAQ About Propagating Albos

• Do You Have to Pot your Cutting? It’s happened to all of us: You fall in love with your windowsill propagation and don’t want to see it go. Do you really have to plant it? The simple answer: no. But there’s more to it than that. Water is devoid of nutrients, encourages fungal infections, and can cause the eventual demise of your cutting. You will have to stay committed to regularly changing your cutting’s water and adding a tiny amount of liquid fertilizer into the water monthly. Even still, it’s wise to plant your Albo where it belongs eventually: well-draining soil.
• Your Cutting’s Stem is Mushy: Now What? Black and mushy stem = rot. The reason behind it? You’ve either allowed your cutting to sit in stagnant water or provided insufficient light. At this point, you may have the option to cut the plant above the rot with at least one node remaining.
• If you have a long stem cutting that is still healthy, further up, cut off the rotten end, and place the healthy portion it in a clean jar with fresh water. Make sure you cut it just below the node so that the node is directly on the tip of the cutting. Change your water more frequently and/or increase light!
• Where Are the Roots? Has it been a week or three, and there’s no sign of roots? Patience! It can take weeks or months for roots to emerge. As long as the stem is still healthy-looking and your water is clean, continue as usual. Do you have your cuttings in a chilly windowsill? This could be the cause. New roots take warm temperatures and high humidity to develop (don’t place your plant near a furnace or A/C vent as this air will be have low humidity). Move them away from cold or drafty areas.
• What about Rooting Gel or Powder? Rooting gel is the best selection for water propagation, and rooting powder is the best for soil propagation.

Still Have Questions?

Contact us via email at Support@ExoticForest.com or via Instagram Message @the_exotic_forest.

Please reach out to us ASAP if you have any questions about caring for your Albo so we can help before it is too late.