Thriving Together: My Journey with Variegated Monstera Albo

 Embarking on the journey of caring for a Variegated Monstera Albo is both exciting and rewarding. As a plant enthusiast, I've had the pleasure of nurturing my own Albo to not only survive but thrive. A rooted 3 leaf cutting was my pandemic comfort purchase and I was so nervous that I would kill it. Luckily, I not only didn't kill it but it is thriving, so much so that I may need to chop it soon! 

Locating the right spot for my Albo was the initial challenge. In order to maximaize variegation you want lots of bright indirect light. After experimenting with different locations, I discovered that a corner of my sunroom with filtered sunlight worked wonders. The sunroom is all glass with a mature cherry tree outside that filters the hot summer sun. I live in the Pacific Northwest which can have a lot of overcast gloomy days so, to supplement natural light, I invested in an LED Grow Light, providing consistent and reliable illumination. I have had this one for 3 years and it is still going strong. I like that you can move the arms to accomodate the growth needs of your plant. 

Navigating the delicate balance of watering was a learning curve. I developed a routine of checking the soil moisture with a handy Moisture Meter, ensuring I only watered when the top inch of soil was dry. This prevented overwatering and kept my plant's roots healthy and happy. I found in my climate every 10 days or so is perfect but I think usuing a moisture meter at first and albos can be prone to root rot if you overwater or don't have chunky soil.

One of the most important parts of keeping your Albo healthy is soil. Once you have the soil balanced your plant will be lower maintenance and can tolerate watering mistakes. Monsteras are epiphytes, which mean they climb, their roots are used to being exposed to air so you want some air circulation in your soil. I found a mix of orchid bark, perilite, and peat create a nourishing but well draining soil mix that my plant loves.

Feeding my Variegated Monstera Albo became a nurturing ritual. My albo loves Marphyl phytoplankton (all my plants do). I have repurchased this many times. I fertilize year round with this gentle, nautral fertilizer, though I increase the frequency in the growing season.This regular feeding regimen resulted in vibrant and lush foliage.

As my Albo grew, providing support and structure became crucial. At first I incorporated a Moss Pole to encourage upward growth and create an aesthetically pleasing display. Monstera's are epiphytes so they climb in their natural habitat, having something to climb will help the plant produce the biggest healthiest leaves. Once it outgrew the moss pole I used a beautiful piece of driftwood I found at the beach, my albo loves it!

To protect my Albo from unwelcome visitors, I regularly inspected the leaves for pests. Neem Oil became my go-to solution for natural pest control, effectively addressing any issues without harming the plant.

My Variegated Monstera Albo has become a thriving member of my plant family, and our journey together has been filled with growth and discovery. Tailoring care based on my observations, incorporating reliable products, and adapting to the specific needs of my Albo have been key factors in its flourishing health. Caring for a Variegated Monstera Albo is not just a responsibility; it's a delightful journey of nurturing and witnessing the beauty of nature unfold in your own home.

My full plant care affiliate list is attached here - these are all products and love and use for my own plants.