what causes variegation in monstera

Monstera Thai Constellation is a specific type of variegated Monstera, with interesting colors and patterns on the leaves. However, there is a lot more to know about care, propagation, and where to find this variety. So, what do you need to know about Monstera Thai Constellation? Monstera Thai Constellation is a variegated Monstera plant with yellowish or cream spotted leaves. This color comes from lack of chlorophyll due to genetic, chimeric, or viral causes. You may be able to propagate Thai Constellation to create more plants, depending on the nature of the coloring. Of course, Monstera Thai Constellation is somewhat expensive compared to other plants. In fact, it can cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on the size and age of the plant! In this article, we’ll talk about Monstera Thai Constellation plants, including information about their ideal environment, what causes the variegation, and why they are so expensive. Let’s get started. Monstera Thai Constellation Monstera Thai Constellation comes from a specific variegation of Monstera deliciosa. It is characterized by yellowish-white or cream spots on the leaves, due to a lack of chlorophyll. (You can see an image of the color-speckled leaves on the Nursery Management website here). Monstera Thai can be kept as a houseplant, or you can keep it outside in warm, humid climates. You can learn more about caring for Monstera Thai Constellation as a houseplant in this article from Gardening Brain. You can learn more about growing and caring for Monstera Thai Constellation as an outdoor plant in this article from the University of Florida Extension. What Is Thai Monstera? Thai Monstera (Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation) is an evergreen perennial plant that produces variegated green leaves with yellowish-white or cream spots. It also produces large (6 to 12 inch) showy white flowers (although these rarely appear on houseplants). A Monstera flower is large and white, but rarely appears on houseplants. The flowers eventually mature to form cream, tan, green, or white fruit covered with hexagon-shaped scales. The fruit must be ripe to eat, due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. Monstera fruit matures to cream, tan, green, or white with hexagon-shaped scales on the surface. Thai Monstera is native to hot, humid, and tropical climates in the region of South America from Mexico to Panama. It is an epiphyte, meaning that it climbs up other plants (such as trees) in its natural habitat. Thai Monstera needs moderate moisture levels. Too much water causes root rot and can damage the plant. Thai Monstera prefers partial shade. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH of 6.1 to 7.3). Thai Monstera cannot tolerate much cold. As an outdoor plant, it is hardy to Zone 10a (as cold as 30 degrees Fahrenheit or –1 degrees Celsius). This plant can grow to a towering height of 75 feet or more! Monstera can climb to a height of 75 feet or more in its natural habitat!Image courtesy of:Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monstera_deliciosa_neer_Luochi.JPG You can learn more about Thai Monstera from the National Gardening Association’s Plant Database. What Is The Difference Between Thai Constellation & Variegated Monstera? Thai Constellation is a specific type of variegated Monstera. Other types of variegated Monstera include: Monstera Albo BorsingianaMonstera AdansoniiMonstera AureaMonstera VariegataMint Monstera Monstera Albo is one type of variegated Monstera plant.Image courtesy of user: Mokkie via: Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fruit_Salad_Plant_(Monstera_deliciosa_%27Albo-Variegata%27).jpg The image below shows the relationship between Thai Constellation Monstera, variegated Monstera, and Monstera. Thai Constellation Monstera is a specific type of variegated Monstera. Variegated Monstera are just plants that are different in some way from the "usual" Monstera plants. What Causes Variegation In Monstera? Variegation in Monstera is due to a lack of chlorophyll in some of the plant’s cells. This is what yields the lighter yellowish-white or cream color in Thai Constellation and other variegated Monstera varieties. Chlorophyll is the molecule that makes plants green. it has a central magnesium atom, surrounded by four nitrogen atoms. According to Horticulture Magazine, variegation in plants has three main types: Genetic (inherited from a mutated parent plant) – this type is stable. So, if you propagate a Monstera from any leaf or stem (variegated or not), you will get a new plant that has the variegation in leaf coloring.Chimeric (due to a random mutation) – this type is not stable, and it occurs when there are two types of plant tissue present. You must propagate from a variegated leaf or stem to get a new plant with the variegation in leaf coloring. If you propagate from a green leaf on a plant with chimeric variegation, the new plant will not have the variegation.Viral (an infection resulting in discolored spots on leaves) – this type is also stable. So, you can propagate a plant with variegation in coloring from a virus, and the new plant will also have the variegation in leaf coloring. Remember that root cuttings from a variegated plant will often not yield a new plant that is variegated. Monstera adansonii is another variegated Monstera plant.Image courtesy of user:Alex Popovkin via:Wikimedia Commonshttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monstera_adansonii_Schott_var._klotzschiana_(Schott)_Madison_(8867311602).jpg Variegation of the color in plant leaves is not an adaptation, but rather the result of a mutation. Can You Propagate Thai Constellation? You can propagate Thai Constellation Monstera by layering, stem cuttings, or from seed. Remember that for a chimeric plant, you will need to use a leaf or stem with variegation in its coloring to produce a new plant with the same coloring. Can You Grow Thai Constellation From Seed? You can grow Monstera from seed, but it is difficult to do so, since they require warm temperatures and humid conditions to germinate. Also, the seeds may not produce a Monstera plant with the variegation that yields the desired Thai Constellation leaf coloring. Can Thai Constellation Revert? Thai Constellation can revert, although this seems to be rare. According to Capra Designs, variegated plants may revert due to extreme temperature (either hot or cold) or as a result of low light. Thai Constellation can revert back to a form without variegation, but this is rare. To preserve the variegation in a plant’s leaves, they suggest pruning away any green leaves that appear. This is because green leaves are more vigorous and will outgrow the variegated leaves that lack chlorophyll. Is Thai Constellation A Philodendron? Thai Constellation is not a philodendron. Monstera and Philodendron are two separate types of plants. This is a philodendron. Although it is in the same family (Araceae) as Monstera, they are different plants. According to the University of Wisconsin Extension, Monstera used to be in the Philodendron genus. However, Monstera and Philodendron are in the same family (Araceae). The confusion arises from the fact that Thai Constellation (and other Monstera varieties) is sometimes called “Split-Leaf Philodendron”. This name comes from their leaves, which look similar to the leaves of their relative the philodendron. However, Monstera leaves have splits or holes in them. This is why they are also sometimes called “Swiss Cheese Plant”. Where To Buy Thai Constellation Monstera You might be able to find Thai Constellation Monstera at a number of online retailers, including: CarniveroCosta Farms (starting in 2023)EbayEtsy How Much Is Monstera Thai Constellation? Monstera Thai Constellation can range in price from $225 to $2500. The price largely depends on the size – the larger and more established the plant, the higher the price. Why Is Thai Constellation Monstera So Expensive? Thai Constellation Monstera is expensive because it is rare, and variegation in plants is rare to begin with. The Thai Constellation variegation of Monstera in particular is rare enough to fetch a high price. Of course, even something rare will not fetch a high price without high demand. Lots of people love the yellowish-white coloring of variegated Thai Constellation Monstera, and they want to include it in their collections. Of course, an increase in rare plant collectors and price speculation also causes an increase in prices for Thai Constellation Monstera and other rare variegated plant varieties. Conclusion Now you know a little more about Monstera Thai Constellation, along with the answers to some common questions about this unique variegated plant. You might also want to learn about Philodendron White Knight (an epiphytic vine with white coloring) in my article here. I hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with someone who can use the information. If you want to read some of my most popular posts, check out the “Best of GreenUpSide” page here. Enjoy! ~Jonathon