How Much Should a Monstera Deliciosa Albo Cost?
Monstera Deliciosa Albo Cost
Monstera deliciosa, commonly known as the Swiss cheese plant, has exploded in popularity over recent years with its perforated green leaves and vibrant jungle vibe. But while you’re likely to find a standard dark green version of this popular houseplant at your local nursery, you may have a hard time snagging one of the more sought-after albo variegated plants. In fact, it’s not unusual for these rare variations to sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
The answer to the question “How much should a Monstera Albo cost?” depends on a number of factors. For starters, the age of the plant can influence its overall price. Because it takes awhile for a new Monstera to mature, plants that are already fully grown tend to be more expensive than younger ones. The size of the plant can also increase its price tag. Larger plants are typically more expensive to produce and care for, as they require more room to grow and provide a greater visual impact.
Additionally, the price of a Monstera Albo can vary depending on where you buy it. Prices at plant nurseries can be higher during the spring and summer, when the demand for these plants is highest. Finally, shipping costs can be quite expensive for delicate living plants. This is especially true for international shipments, where customs delays, phytosanitary compliance, and limited cargo space can all add up to high transport expenses.
Another factor that contributes to the high cost of a Monstera Albo is its rarity. Because they can’t be grown from seeds, variegated monsteras must either be bred through mutation or propagated from cuttings and mother plants, which are slow processes. As a result, these plants are extremely limited and very difficult to come by.
Lastly, the unique genetic mutation of a Monstera Albo makes it particularly fragile and labor-intensive to produce and propagate. For example, the albo variegation reduces the amount of chlorophyll in a leaf, which is needed to turn sunlight into energy for growth. This means that it takes a lot longer for a healthy albo Monstera to produce enough leaves to be ready to market. This extended production time ties up valuable greenhouse space and inventory budgets, which in turn leads to higher prices at retail.
Ultimately, it’s not unlikely that we’ll still be a few years away from seeing Monstera Albo plants easily available for sale at your local nursery for a reasonable price. However, if you’re patient and persistent enough to seek them out, there are some ways to score a Monstera Albo at an affordable price. You can try looking on classifieds or on online gardening forums, check your local thrift stores, or ask around to see if anyone you know has a spare plant that they’d be willing to give away. Good luck!