Table of Contents
What is a Thai Constellation Monstera?
There are several variegated plants of the Monstera deliciosa, but one of the most attractive is the Thai Constellation Monstera, with whitish marks on its leaves that look like stars.
Besides the common swiss cheese plant, it could be said that the variegated plants are the stars amongst all houseplants amongst indoor gardeners.
The Thai Constellation Monstera is a variegated plant from the Monstera deliciosa family.
The botanical name of this variegated monstera is Monstera Thai Constellation.
The variegated leaves are mainly green but have whitish patches, spots, and splatters on them.
Variegated Monstera plants do not always produce the same colors on their leaves.
Monstera deliciosa Thai constellation plants will have smaller spots, even when there are larger patches.
It has stable variegation, meaning their spotting will remain once reaching maturity.
Further, this is where the name ‘constellation’ comes from; the white marks begin to look like constellations of stars in the heavens.
This variegated monstera was cultivated from a particular tissue culture developed in a laboratory in Thailand.
Because the plants only come from this one source, they are rare and are pretty expensive to buy.
Because of its unique look (aside from the Monstera Albo – another popular variegated monstera plant), Thai constellation monsteras are favorite foliage plants and are in relatively high demand as houseplants because of their rarity.
The Thai Constellation monstera was named the “Favorite New Foliage Plant” at the Tropical Plant International Expo in 2020, giving it more publicity and boosting demand amongst gardeners.
Habitat and origins
The constellation monstera originates in the tropical rainforests of Central South America – from as far north as Southern Mexico to as far south as Colombia.
Monstera plants are grown both indoors and outdoors.
Because their native conditions are warm, humid, and shady, producing these in gardens is not always easy, so they have become a popular indoor plant.
The variegated monsteras are particularly popular among plant lovers as an indoor attraction.
Thai constellation monstera plants are widely thought of as foliage plants but do flower, although they produce only a few flowers yearly. It is only a mature plant that will produce a flower.
How to Care for a Thai Constellation Monstera
Temperature and Climate
All Monstera plants are native to rainforests, so they grow best in warm conditions and need humidity.
This is what explicitly makes them good house plants. They should not be exposed to dry air, so take care that they are not near a perpetually draughty area or under an air conditioner.
Light
The Thai constellation monstera needs to see the sun as much as possible but cannot tolerate direct sun for about 3 hours a day.
If you are growing the plant outside, make sure it is in a spot that receives some sun but is mostly semi-shade.
If you grow the plant inside, place the pot in a bright area, but not directly next to a window, where too much direct sunlight can burn the plant.
If you notice slow growth in your plant, you should give it more bright light, but not direct sunlight. This promotes growth via the chlorophyll in the green leaves.
Water
Your Thai Constellation monstera will need regular watering but must not be over-watered.
An excellent strategy to use is to give the soil around the plant a good soaking and then to wait until the soil is mostly dry before watering it again
Don’t let the soil become muddy.
If the plant is outside, you will need to monitor it through the dry months to receive enough water.
If you are tired of worrying about overwatering, consider this a new pot. This self-watering container is what we use for our indoor plants.
- SELF-WATERING, 2-WEEKS+ DEEP RESERVOIR: No more troublesome wicks that clog...
- SELF-AERATING, HIGH DRAINAGE, MINIMIZE ROOT ROT: No need to keep poking...
- WATER FROM THE BOTTOM + NO MORE OVERFLOW: Each planter comes with a clip-on...
Soil
Like all the variegated monsteras, the Thai Constellation prefers well-drained soil that will supply many nutrients.
If any of these favorite new foliage plants are planted outside, the soil has to be selected, monitored, and treated carefully.
It is easier to do this if the plant is grown in a pot indoors. Then the soil can be adequately prepared using a potting mix that drains easily.
If you don’t have soil that drains well, you can add soil amendments such as perlite or sphagnum moss (peat moss) to help aerate and drain excess water.
Fertilizer
The use of the correct fertilizer can determine how well your plant grows. This should be a balanced fertilizer that provides the necessary nutrients.
Using a general organic fertilizer available from your local nursery in spring and summer will help the plant grow.
Alternatively, we highly suggest this houseplant slow-release fertilizer. It’s super easy to use, and you won’t need to worry about it once you set it in the soil. We use it with all of our indoor houseplants.
- Specially formulated for plants grown in containers, Osmocote PotShots...
- FEEDS UP TO 6 MONTHS: Feed your outdoor and indoor potted plants for up to...
- NO GUESSWORK: Minimize the risk of over- and under-feeding by giving your...
Common Pests
One of the most common pests that affect a deliciosa is a Thrips infestation. This is an invasion of tiny yellow-white insects.
The leaves will discolor in patches of faded yellow with brown edges. It would be best if you looked out for larvae on the leaves.
Once a leaf is damaged, it will not recover completely, but any new leaves will be healthy if you treat the problem.
To treat a Thrips infestation, you need to use a spray bottle and soft cloth to spray each leaf and wipe it down to remove the bugs.
Wash the leaves after this with insecticidal soap. For a more organic approach, you can introduce ladybugs onto the plant to eat the bugs. You should remove the damaged leaves.
Propagation
The Thai Constellation variety of Monstera can be propagated by cutting because it is a stable variation and will not change in nature per each plant.
Cut the stem of the mature plant just below a growth node. Cut with a sharp knife, or pruning shears, at about a 45-degree angle.
Place the cuttings in the water and leave it there until roots begin to sprout. Monstera roots should form in approximately two to three weeks.
The cutting can be planted into a pot or out in the garden when the roots are established.
Ensure that you use a fertilizer with the new plant and water it regularly, but take care not to drown the roots.
FAQ
Why is the monstera Thai constellation so expensive?
One of the variegated kinds of Monstera deliciosa developed deliberately by one laboratory in Thailand is the Thai constellation monstera. This variation is what distinguishes the Thai constellation as unique, uncommon, and highly costly. Furthermore, the absence of chlorophyll in the leaves indicates that they require more light and develop at a slower rate. Slower growth implies fewer new plants and slower propagation.
Is Monstera Albo the same as the Thai constellation?
No, the Monstera Albo is not the same as the Thai Constellation. What makes these two plants different is the foliage. The leaves of the Monstera Thai Constellation and the Monstera Albo are similar from afar but the Monstera Thai Constellation has more consistent variegation than Monstera Albo. Monstera Thai Constellation may at times also have yellow-green or white-green variegation, but Monstera albo is usually always white-green.
Can a Thai constellation Lose its variegation?
The Monstera Thai Constellation was developed in Thailand’s laboratories for its variegation and is known for its stable variegation, which means it will not lose its variegation very easily. Other Monstera plants, such as Monstera Deliciosa Borsigiana Variegata, may lose their variegation and exhibit more or less variety as they develop, depending on the growing conditions and care given.
Other Monstera Plants to Consider
There are many varieties of Monstera houseplants. If you are looking for another type of Monstera plant, check out our other related posts:
Conclusion
The Thai constellation monstera is a variety of variegated deliciosa plants. It is pretty rare and has become a popular house plant amongst plant lovers. This primary foliage plant needs to be kept in bright, warm, humid conditions where it will thrive and continue to be an attraction in your home.
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.