Monstera siltepecana 'Variegata'
Variegated Silver Monstera
UK price
£25 to £80
Price by size
- Sold, 90 days
- 0
- Middle half
- -
- Last sold
- -
- On record
- 0
- Sale
- Typical
- Middle half
- Estimate
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About Monstera siltepecana 'Variegata'
Monstera siltepecana 'Variegata' layers crisp white sectoring over the species' signature juvenile foliage: narrow, elongated leaves brushed with a silvery sheen between dark green veins. The variegation ranges from fine marbling to large clean-white leaf halves, standing out sharply against the metallic base colour that gives the species its common name. It is a fast, wiry climber that will develop larger, more deeply fenestrated leaves if allowed to climb a support, but is equally popular trained to trail from a hanging pot while still in its compact juvenile form.
Native range
Cultivated variegated sport of the species native to Mexico and Central America.
Classification
- Genus
- Monstera
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Variegated
- Growth habit
- Climbing or trailing vine
- Form of
- Monstera siltepecana
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- Narrow, elongated lanceolateLance-shaped leaves that are significantly longer than they are wide, tapering to a point at the tip.
- Leaf length
- 12-22 cm
- Leaf width
- 5-10 cm
- Petiole colour
- Green
- Venation
- Dark green veins over silvery sheen
- Texture
- Satin, semi-glossy
- Variegation
- Crisp white marbling to large clean sectors
- Growth habit
- Climbing or trailing vine
Recent UK sales
No UK eBay sales recorded for this plant yet.
For sale in the UK
Before you buy
- Inspect the foliage for signs of thrips or spider mites, paying close attention to the undersides of the leaves and along the midrib.
- Check that the plant is properly established if sold on a moss pole, ensuring it has rooted into the support rather than just being tied to it.
- Examine the base of the stem for any soft or blackened areas, which indicate rot caused by overwatering at the nursery.
- Verify the identification against similar juvenile aroids, looking for the characteristic lanceolate leaf shape and silver mottling.
Monstera siltepecana 'Variegata' care
- Substrate
- A loose, well-draining aroid mix combining orchid bark, perlite and coco coir provides the aeration this climbing epiphyte requires. Standard houseplant compost alone will hold too much moisture and restrict root growth.
- Watering
- Water thoroughly once the top third of the substrate has dried out. Allow excess water to drain completely, as prolonged sitting in damp conditions quickly leads to root rot.
- Humidity
- Maintain humidity between 60% and 80% to support robust foliage and aerial root development. Typical room humidity will suffice, but providing higher levels encourages a faster transition to mature leaf forms.
- Feeding
- Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength every two to three weeks during periods of active growth. Reduce feeding to once a month or pause entirely during the cooler winter months.
- Repotting
- Repot every one to two years when the root system fills the current container. Size up to a pot only slightly larger to ensure the substrate dries at an appropriate rate.
Common problems
Root rot
Cause: Overwatering or a substrate that retains too much moisture
Fix: Remove the plant from its pot to trim away mushy roots, then repot into a chunky, aerated mix and adjust the watering schedule.
Stunted growth and small leaves
Cause: Lack of a climbing structure to support the aerial roots
Fix: Install a moss pole or wooden plank for the plant to attach to, which encourages the development of larger, mature foliage.
Loss of silver mottling
Cause: Maturation of the plant or insufficient light levels
Fix: Provide brighter indirect light and a vertical support, acknowledging that mature leaves naturally lose their silver colouration as they develop perforations.
Gear for this plant
- Coir Moss Pole, 120cm (4-Pack)Coco coir totem for climbing aroids to root into as they grow upward.
- Natural Rooting Powder, 3 x 75gRooting hormone powder for stem and leaf cuttings.
- Precision Bonsai Pruning Scissors, 200mmFine-bladed snips for clean node cuts when taking a cutting.
- Digital Hygrometer & ThermometerLCD humidity and temperature gauge for checking a grow spot against a plant's target range.
How to propagate Monstera siltepecana 'Variegata'
- Methods
- Stem cutting, Air layering. Step-by-step guide
- Difficulty
- Easy. Forgiving of missed waterings, average home humidity, and imperfect light. A solid pick for beginners or low-fuss collections.
- Time to establish
- 3-6 months
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Take cuttings that include at least one node and a small aerial root, placing them directly into damp sphagnum moss or water. Rooting typically occurs within a few weeks, after which the new plants can be transitioned into a standard aroid mix. Providing a support pole early on encourages stronger upward growth.