Monstera Mania

Lustrous leaves marbled by hues of green and white, pitted by maturity and sitting pretty in thousands of Australian homes, the variegated Monstera has plant lovers reaching deep into their pockets.

The Monstera, also known as the “Swiss Cheese Plant” due to holes and splits in its leaves, has recently increased in popularity and price, with the variegated types selling for thousands of dollars.

According to Australian Plants Online, variegation refers to two-toned leaves on a plant. The typical green of a leaf is mixed with a second colour, usually white, cream or yellow. These lighter zones are a result of the lack of chlorophyll in the plants’ cells.

Nursery & Garden Industry WA vice president and Benara Sales and marketing manager Carole Fudge says the rarity and difficulty of growing a variegated plant are why it comes with such a high price tag.

“Variegation occurs rarely and can cause weakness in plants,” Ms Fudge says.

“It can be caused by a ‘virus’ or genetic mutation.”

“To mass produce for the market is not easy to do, and there would be a significant reversion rate; that is, plants returning to plain green.”

“Due to the rarity, the price would always be higher, add to this the ‘influencer’ promoting these plants and driving demand for something that is already rare means people are willing to pay a much higher price.”

An established variegated Monstera. Image Supplied: Eric Tran

Two smaller cuttings of a variegated Monstera. Image Supplied: Eric Tran

The variegated leaves can be found on two species of Monstera plants, the Thai Constellation and the Albo.

On average, an established variegated plant will sell for anywhere between $2000 and $5000, with a single leaf-cutting going for approximately $600.

Trans Plants owner Eric Tran says the demand for indoor plants spiked at the start of the pandemic.

“Looking back on the last few years in the indoor plant market, it definitely has had its ups and downs,” Mr Tran says.

“Throughout the start of COVID-19, plants had a massive drive in price, especially for variegated plants, and it was the increase in demand that made the prices of these rare plants go up like crazy.”

“As life moves along and people get used to things, the demand for plants has reduced, although, is still very high from where it was originally.”

Two billion plants were sold in Australia during 2020.

According to a report released by Greener Spaces Better Place, two billion plants were sold in Australia during 2020.

However, fraudulent sellers have used this opportunity to infiltrate online marketplaces like Facebook, Gumtree, and eBay to steal money from innocent plant collectors.

Support worker and plant lover Kim Downie says she fell victim to a scammer and lost thousands of dollars.

“I had come across an ad on gumtree for an established variegated Monstera, and it wasn’t too expensive or too cheap considering the overall size of the plant,” Miss Downie says.

“The add stated that she was selling her late sister’s rare plant collection, and she cannot hold onto them any longer as she was moving interstate and wouldn’t have the time nor space for them.”

“She sent me a list of all these plants, and I probably claimed half of them totalling $3,000.”

“I paid in full [via bank transfer], trusting she was a nice person.”

“She claims to have sent the plant, but I never got any tracking, and she stopped replying.”

Miss Downie says she reached out to her bank and the police, but unfortunately, neither could help.

“I filed reports to the police, but nothing eventuated, Miss Downie says.

“Reported to the bank, but all they can do is call the scammers bank and ask them to return it... they can’t force or refund it back as it was a permitted payment from my side.”

A normal monstera plant is much cheaper as it only features one colour leaves. Image Credit: Benara Nurseries

A normal monstera plant is much cheaper as it only features one colour leaves. Image Credit: Adobe Stock

The light spots on a variegated plant are due to lack of chlorophyll. Image Credit: Trans Plants

Monstera Plants are also known as the swiss cheese plant due to the holes and splits in their leaves. Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Plants with two toned leaves are rare and hard to care for. Image Credit: Trans Plants

An established variegated plant can sell for a few thousand dollars. Image Credit: Trans Plants

The lighter colour on a variegated leaf can be yellow, cream or white. Image Credit: Adobe Stock

Unfortunately, sellers are not obliged to be members of the Nursery and Garden Industry association or follow their best practice guidelines, so the association cannot enforce rules or laws on plant sellers.

Ms Fudge warns it is up to the buyer to determine the legitimacy of an online seller.

“The internet is a wide market, I am sure there are good and bad sellers on this platform, and I stress it is buyer beware,” Ms Fudge says.

“The online selling community has grown very fast, but there are some reputable businesses; check their policies and location,” Ms Fudge said.

Australian quarantine laws for live plants are stringent to prevent unwanted diseases from entering the country and devastating the fragile flora.

Plants imported from overseas must have a valid permit from the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Without a permit, the plants will be destroyed, and all parties involved will receive a hefty fine.

Buying in person reduces the risk of being scammed. However, there is still a possibility that the plant will not be of high quality.

Mr Tran says buyers should examine the root systems and buy plants with new growth points to increase the likelihood of survival.

Not only have people been scammed online, but many have fallen victim to plant theft also.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2020, there were more than 140,728 victims of residential “other theft,” including the stealing of plants.

With so much risk and cost involved, many would wonder if the investment is worth it.

However, Ms Fudge assured buyers that plants are very cheap for the effort to grow them and the joy they can bring to plant lovers.

“If you are a [plant] collector and you get joy from a variegated Monstera, perhaps it is like that really expensive pair of shoes that you enjoy wearing if the plant brings joy … yes, it’s worth it!”

The Zamioculcas ‘Dark Zamicro’ (or Dwarf ZZ) plant is the “the next ‘unicorn’ house plant” to look out for, according to leading Perth nursery, Benara Nurseries.

_{The zamioculas "Dark Zamicro" plant has been named the next "Unicorn" indoor plant. Image Credit: Benara Nurseries}