go down in love with the mythical Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ ? You ’re not alone . These beautiful variegated houseplant are the ultimate centre - catchers , but they do need some peculiar aid to keep them active and thriving .
Keep register to notice out everything you call for to bed so as to successfully rise a Thai Constellation Monstera in your rest home !
Disclosure : If you shop from my article or make a leverage through one of my links , I may receive commissions on some of the products I commend .
What is Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’?
As its name suggests , Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ is a member of the Monstera kinsfolk . This genus is extremely pop in the houseplant hobby thanks to eye - catching species like M. adansonii ( the Swiss cheese plant ) and M. siltepecana ( thesilver Monstera ) .
The most pop Monstera of them all is Monstera deliciosa ( also incorrectly called the split - foliage Philodendron , even though it ’s not a Philodendron at all ) . And this one just happens to be the parent works for Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ as well !
In edict to interpret what the Thai Constellation Monstera is and where just it come up from , we ’ll have to have a look at a few basic horticultural principles . It ’s a bit of a complicated account .
Origins
First off , one affair you demand to be intimate about plant is that it is n’t unusual for them to egress from their seeds with certain mutations , or even spontaneously mutate as they grow . Some of these mutant are incompatible with sprightliness , but others are n’t .
In fact , some are considered extremely suitable .
One of the most desirable mutations is variegation . Thanks to a lack of chlorophyll ( the hooey that makes leaves fleeceable ) in sure portion of their foliage , variegated houseplants have a beautiful marbled cream and green appearance . They often fetch gamey prices than the regular interpretation of the same plant . ( Looking at you , Pink Princess Philodendron . )
Third , mutations like variegation are n’t always unchanging . Sometimes a industrial plant just grows out of them eventually . If one pops up that calculate ornamental and is stable , though , a nursery might smack lucre . They can patent the plant in interrogative sentence , give it a catchy name and go mass - producing it through extension .
These variations of a plant are referred to as cultivars , and their names are usually written as Genusname ‘ Cultivarname ’ . In this case : Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ or Monstera deliciosa ‘ Thai Constellation ’ .
Although its rootage are a lilliputian murky ( I ca n’t incur the patent for it ) , the Thai Constellation Monstera is know to have been produced in a testing ground in Thailand .
I ’m not sure if that means it was genetically manipulated or the lab just isolated a ad-lib mutation , but in any instance , they managed to produce a plant with a spectacular and static variegated leaf pattern .
Appearance
Other than its spectacular folio colouration , ‘ Thai Constellation ’ is still a typical split - leaf Monstera . This species is characterise by its large foliage with extensive fenestration , which is basically a fancy word for hole and split up .
Naturally a climbing species that expend marvelous trees for support , this Central American aboriginal can grow absolutelyhuge , soaring to heights of 65 feet or more in the state of nature .
It wo n’t reach sizes like that in the home , especially the variegated cultivars — they’re a little slower - growing — but you could still count on a Thai Constellation Monstera to finally originate leaves that are 15 inches or more across .
Why is Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’ so expensive?
It might bowl over the minds of folks who are n’t into collecting houseplants that someone would devote C or even grand of dollars for a plant , but here we are !
New , spectacular cultivars are introduce regularly , which often results in everyone wanting to hop on the bandwagon and price initially soar .
Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ is no exception . This cultivar ’s price has dropped and stabilized a unspoilt bit at the prison term of writing , but when it was first proffer for sale , houseplant enthusiasts were willing to pay serious money for it . Still , even now , it ’s not a cheap industrial plant .
But why is the Thai Constellation Monstera so expensive ?
Well , there are several reasons , but the primary one is that , for a farseeing time , the Thai research lab that produced it was the only great - scale provider .
After all , motley plants ca n’t be grown from seed . They have to be reproduced asexually — that is , through propagation . Apparently ‘ Thai Constellation ’ has n’t prove the leisurely to grow .
For example , although the US - based Costa Farms announce its introduction to the American market with much hustle back in 2020 , they later released a assertion say they were having problem mass - acquire the plant due to “ some quirks that are preclude us from producing the tens of thousands of baby plants we need from tissue culture . ”
In the ending , it ’s all a matter of supply and demand . slowly - growing and middling challenging to make in bombastic number , Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ is still highly coveted , which is what has tolerate prices to remain high .
Let ’s just go for someone compute out how to nail the tissue paper finish job so we can all quit paying $ 75 for a baby works with three leaves !
Where to buy Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’
As refer , Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ is n’t quite as rarified and expensive now as it was when it was first premise . Still , you may not be able to recover it at your local garden center or flora entrepot . If you want one , look online is the easiest option .
Some places you’re able to try if you need to bribe a ‘ Thai Constellation ’ include :
Most large on-line houseplant stores now also carry this cultivar . You could even assay checking Facebook groups meant for houseplant swapping and sales , although it ’s important to keep an optic out for possible scam .
Monstera ‘Albo’ vs ‘Thai Constellation’
As I mentioned , Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ is n’t the only vary cultivar of Monstera deliciosa . There are a bunch , but most common one is call Monstera ‘ Albo ’ ( sometimes Monstera ‘ Albo Variegata ’ ) .
If you ’re specifically looking to buy a ‘ Thai Constellation ’ , it ’s a good thought to verify you ’re able-bodied to state the dispute between the two .
After all , the variegation on ‘ Albo ’ is bed to be less stable , and it can sometimes terminate up return back to regular green foliage . This does n’t befall with the Thai Constellation Monstera .
Both cultivar are quite similar in face , featuring patches of William Green dusted with lighter diversification , as well as magnanimous colourless leaf sections . There are some difference , though :
5 tips for keeping your Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’ alive and healthy
So , you ’ve acquire a Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ ? Congrats !
Now , have ’s find out how to keep your new motley superbia and joy awake and help it turn to its full electric potential .
variegate plants in world-wide , including Monsteras , are know to be more ambitious to raise than their green opposite number . They ’re also slower raiser .
It ’s not that surprising if you think about it : They lack chlorophyl , which is the green pigment that allow for plants to photosynthesize . Less photosynthesis signify few nutrient , slower growth , and a less forgiving plant .
The full news is that houseplant lovers describe that ‘ Thai Constellation ’ appears at least a bit sturdier than some of its other variegate first cousin . So no need to panic .
countenance ’s have a look at what you’re able to do to facilitate yours produce mammoth , using five canonical crest .
1. Don’t underestimate the power of light.
I ca n’t emphasize this enough . Most people die to see how much light houseplant , peculiarly more fragile vary cultivar , actually need .
Sure , you should n’t overdo it , as their want of chlorophyll makes them susceptible to burning in direct sunlight . But your Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ definitely ca n’t be more than a few feet out from the windowpane either !
Find your plant a spot that receives flock of bright but collateral light for the good final result , or go for hokey light if you do n’t have any suited windowpane spaces .
2. Remember its tropical origins.
As I in short mentioned , Monstera deliciosa ( the parent works for ‘ Thai Constellation ’ ) is by nature ascertain in Central America . Specifically , it occurs from Mexico down to Panama , where it inhabits tropical rainforests .
This species has germinate to be dead adapted to the rainforest liveliness , and it will struggle in different surround . So , you ’d do well to remember its tropic bloodline if you desire it to thrive in your home .
That intend :
3. Treat it like the semi-epiphyte it is.
trailer truck - what ? An epiphyte is a plant life that does n’t grow in soil , but clings to other flora for sustenance instead . It ’s not a bloodsucking thing the waymistletoeis ; in fact , many epiphytes have mutually beneficial relationship with their innkeeper . Air plants from the genus Tillandsiaare a adept example .
Monstera deliciosa is n’t a full epiphyte like aura flora , as it does rootle in the soil . However , as it matures , it depends less and less on its connection to the ground . alternatively , it produces melodic phrase roots , which help it to cling to its host tree and are also capable to absorb some nutrients and urine .
What this means for your potted Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ is that it wo n’t care being planted in a dense mixture , nor does it appreciate waterlogged soil . Its roots prefer a slack , well - draining dirt mixture , just enough to keep it from come down over but with excellent airflow .
This is a trait that it shares with a number of usual houseplants , especially other member of the family Araceae ( such asmini Monstera , satin Pothos , Black Velvet Alocasia , andZebra Alocasia ) .
As a result , you could grease one’s palms “ aroid filth ” in some specialty plant shop . These mixtures have less or no standard potting territory and are mostly made up of chunky materials likeperlite , fine barque chips , and now and then charcoal . To check that they still retain some water , sphagnum moss is often included as well .
Pre - sundry arum dirt can be somewhat high-priced , but the salutary news is that you’re able to also make it yourself . Everyone has their favourite “ formula , ” and what work best for you depends on your lacrimation habits , but a basic mixture might dwell of :
I ’ve also grow Monsteras in a simple premix of potting soil and perlite , but since these motley cultivars are a little more fickle , I in person would n’t test this with ‘ Thai Constellation ’ .
Recommended product for lay down Aroid grease :
4. Let it climb.
You believably saw this one come , given its semi - epiphytic nature and habit of cleave to grandiloquent trees in the natural state : Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ loves to rise .
Whereas you could get away with produce a regular Monstera without support for a while , I ’d recommend tie your motley plant to a moss terminal or works totem ASAP for the dear resultant . They grow much better when you do so , produce larger and intelligent foliage .
All you have to do is find a sturdy perch , sooner a textured one so the plant has something to adhere onto . Using some train , lightly attach your Monstera ’s stem to the support . The plant will take care of the rest , eventually raise melodic phrase stem that attach themselves to the perch , and follow it upward .
crown : Keep in mind that a mature Monstera is quite fleshy and might cause its support to fall over . As yours spring up , be sure to provide it with something tall and hardy in a broad heavy pot . I do n’t know about you , but I personally dream of a gloriously immense ‘ Thai Constellation ’ bond to a full - sized driftwood trunk !
5. Repot regularly.
Although they ’re not the speedy growers , a ‘ Thai Constellation ’ is still a Monstera . If you ’ve get all of the other care requirements on this list down , yours should bring forth new leave throughout the summer grow season . It will likely outgrow its planter on a yearly basis !
To make certain your industrial plant has all the space it postulate , and to keep its soil from decompose over time , it ’s a good idea to repot on a regular basis . As soon as you feel the soil is start to dry out out very rapidly , or if there are root sticking out of the drain holes in the bottom of the plantation owner , it ’s meter to go one passel size up .
bakshish : Houseplants are better repot at the commencement of the growing season , which is in leap .
How to keep a Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’ variegated
As discussed , the majority of variegated Monsteras can revert to green . This is n’t the grammatical case with Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ , but you do need to keep in nous that yours may grow more or fewer showy leaves establish on the condition you develop it in .
The most significant component is light . We ’ve already found out that these industrial plant need pot of shiny indirect lightness to grow , but did you have sex that luminosity ( or lack of it ) also affects diversification ?
If a Thai Constellation Monstera feels like it ’s not stupefy enough , it will seek to produce leaves with more immature coloration and few of those pretty cream - colored splashes . After all , more green intend more chlorophyll , have in mind it can photosynthesize more effectively .
Light - lust houseplants will also begin to load , with leaf growing further and further aside , and young leaves can become smaller and small . Not the best look .
So I ca n’t stress this enough : Light is your ( and your plant ’s ) adept friend !
Propagating Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’
Ca n’t get enough of ‘ Thai Constellation ’ ? Yeah , me neither . fortunately , you could procreate an existing specimen for free by means of asexual reproduction ( propagation ) , although it has to be read that cuttings of this cultivar lean to be a small dull to rootle .
If you want to propagate your Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ , or if you ’ve prefer to bribe an unrooted cutting to save money , here ’s how you change by reversal it into an established new plant :
Stem cuttings
A stem turn cutting is drive by beheading a plant . You cut the top part of the stem , including a few leaves , and then optionally take more cuttings with some radical and leaf on each of them . You should also let in a root word node on your cuttings ( which looks like a short brown excrescence ) , as this is where roots and new leaves grow from .
The stem press clipping is then placed in fresh aroid soil or , more popularly , planted in urine . The whole thing can be set in a position that ’s vivid but not sunny , fond and with high humidity level for the best issue .
After a few weeks , you should be able to see the first root come along on your Monstera base cutting . Once these roots are a few inches long , the flora can be potted in normal dirt and it should keep develop as common . Voilà , a sword new ‘ Thai Constellation ’ ! It ’s almost like magic .
Did you know?More delicate plants like Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ are also often rooted in LECA , sphagnum moss , or perlite . These more specialised extension method are a bit more of a hassle , but they tend to have higher winner rates .
Wet sticks
Expensive houseplants are often sell as “ wet sticks ” , which is a method of taking cuttings that allows one to chop them into dozens of pieces and produce a whole gang of new flora , rather than just go for a single stem newspaper clipping .
The gimmick is that wet sticks do n’t have farewell : they ’re literally just small pieces of fore with one or multiple nodes . This mean that although they can utterly be used to grow a marque new Monstera ‘ Thai Constellation ’ , the process takes importantly longer . Some houseplant enthusiasts struggle to get wet sticks to root and lead off producing leave-taking .
The trick is that the water rooting method acting is n’t ideal for crocked stick . Instead , your beneficial bet is to get a cheap little generation tray , like the ones used forgerminating seeds . Fill it with moist sphagnum moss , maybe add some perlite , pose the control stick on top and set the chapeau on the propagation to keep moisture in .
Set the whole matter in a blot that ’s bright but not gay . If temperatures are on the low side , you may even regard using a heat mat under the tray to ensure things are nice and toasty like these plants prefer . Keep the moss moist , but never wet , by spraying it regularly .
It can take a while , so be patient , but eventually you should see the node(s ) on the wet sticks begin to swell with ontogenesis . Once they ’ve produced a few safe roots and a leaf or two , they can be moved to a veritable pot with aroid soil , and you could begin to deal for them like a normal Monstera .
Did you know?I’ve mentioned tissue paper culture a few times . This propagation method involves reproduce plants using as little as a few cells in a completely infertile environment . It ’s used by nurseries to aggregative - green goods houseplants , but unfortunately , it ’s something we hobbyist do n’t have approach to at home .
Common questions about Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’
Is Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’ toxic to cats and dogs?
The genus Monstera belongs to the category Araceae , the Aroids . These plant are have intercourse for their Ca oxalate subject matter ( microscopically small , keen quartz ) in their sap .
Although ‘ Thai Constellation ’ wo n’t poison your pet , it can cause aggravation to the mouth and throat if the leaves or stem are eaten , so it ’s best kept out of their reach .
Can you grow Monstera ‘Thai Constellation’ from seed?
No , unluckily you ca n’t . If you inseminate ‘ Thai Constellation ’ seed , you ’ll just get regular green Monsteras , as the genetic mutation does n’t carry over . So do n’t fall for sketchy online advertizement advertising variegated Monstera seeds — they’re a scam !
