Okay, so I’ve been getting really into houseplants lately, like, REALLY into them. And of course, the big names everyone talks about are the Monsteras. But then you start hearing about “Thai Constellation” and “Albo” and it’s like…wait, what? They look kinda the same, but also…different? And the prices? Don’t even get me started!
So, I decided I needed to figure this out, for my own sanity (and my wallet’s). I started by just staring at pictures online. Seriously, hours just comparing leaves. It felt a little crazy, but I started noticing some things.
My Little Investigation
First, I grabbed a notebook and started making notes, like a real plant detective. I focused on a few key things:
- Color: Both have that awesome white/cream variegation, but how that color shows up is different.
- Pattern: Are the white parts big blotches? Little speckles? All over the place?
- Leaf Shape: Are the holes (those are called fenestrations, I learned!) big, small, regular?
Then, I went down a rabbit hole of blog posts and forum threads. So much information! I learned that the Thai Constellation is actually a tissue-cultured plant. That means it was created in a lab, so the variegation is super stable. It’s like, guaranteed to be beautiful, and the white parts are usually creamy and kinda speckled, like a starry night. They don’t turn into big white sectors. It’s beautiful, stable, and generally more creamy-white. I’ve noticed the leaves are also a bit more consistently shaped.
The Albo, on the other hand, is a naturally occurring variegation. That means each plant is totally unique. You might get huge chunks of pure white, or just a few streaks. The white part tends to be a more pure, bright white, in comparison. It’s a bit more… unpredictable. I saw some Albos with leaves that were almost entirely white! But that also means it’s less stable. Sometimes, an Albo can revert – meaning it starts putting out all-green leaves. Oh, and getting my hands on a good Albo cutting? Much harder, and MUCH more expensive!
I checked some plant prices online, and saw the difference is really obvious.
The Final Verdict (For Me, Anyway)
After all that looking and learning, I decided to go with a Thai Constellation. Because the plant’s variegation is stable, I knew what pattern to expect. Don’t get me wrong, I’d LOVE an Albo someday, but for my first big Monstera purchase, I wanted something a bit more… predictable. And my Thai Constellation is absolutely gorgeous! I placed it in the best light spot in my living room.
So, that’s my Monstera journey so far. Still learning, still obsessing, and probably still spending too much money on plants!
