How to Grow and Care for Thai Constellation Monstera Like a Pro

The monstera Thai constellation is a darling among the large variegated tropical houseplants. It emerged on the scene in the early 2020s as the "it" plant. It gets its name from the marbled and speckled patterns of the creamy white and green variegation. Just like monstera deliciosa, Thai constellation's leaves develop fenestrations as the plant matures.

A few years ago, a single leaf cutting of a Thai constellation monstera would cost you a few hundred dollars, but immature plants (with a few, if any, fenestrations) are now available for maybe $50. This monstera is surprisingly low-maintenance and easy to grow at home. The Thai constellation is considered toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Common Name	Thai ConstellationMonstera
Botanical Name	Monstera deliciosa 'Thai Constellation'
Family	Araceae
Plant Type	Perennial, vine
Mature Size	16 ft. tall, 4-5 ft. wide (indoors)
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Loamy, moist but well-draining
Soil pH	Acidic
Bloom Time	Spring, summer
Flower Color	Green, white
Hardiness Zones	9-11, USDA
Toxicity	Toxic to pets and people

Thai Constellation Monstera Care

Here are the basic requirements for growing Thai constellation monstera:

• Provide the plant with several hours of bright, indirect light each day.
• Plant in a loose, rich, and well-draining potting medium designed for aroids.
• Water once the top three quarters of the soil is dry, and be extremely cautious of overwatering.
• Fertilize once a month during the spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.

Light

Just like the monstera deliciosa, the Thai constellation needs bright, indirect light. Choose a location within a couple of feet of a bright east-facing window, or use sheer curtains or window film to soften the light coming from south- or west-facing windows.

Low light conditions may cause the plant’s variegation to revert.

Soil

Monstera Thai constellation requires a soil mix that is loose, rich in organic materials, and well-draining. A pre-made soil mix designed for aroids is a good option, or you can easily make your own at home by combining equal parts perlite, orchid bark or coco coir, and indoor potting soil.

Water

Monstera Thai constellation is considered less drought tolerant than the common monstera deliciosa, but it is also more susceptible to root rot if it is overwatered so finding the right balance is important.

Let the soil dry out about three quarters of the way between waterings, then water deeply, allowing excess water to drain out of the drainage holes. How often you should water depends on how much light your plant gets. The best way to gauge when you should water is by assessing the soil's moisture with your finger or a moisture meter.

Temperature and Humidity

The Thai constellation monstera does best in warm temperatures and average to slightly humid conditions. For the most part, standard household temperature and humidity levels are fine for this plant, just be sure to keep it in temperatures between 68°F to 86°F and avoid overly dry locations such as above an air vent or beside a drafty window.

Monstera Thai constellation is an excellent choice for an indoor greenhouse, especially when it’s small and becoming established. Most growers report that by the time their plant has developed fenestrations, it can happily live outside their greenhouse cabinet with no issues.

Humidity Tip

If you think your plant needs a touch of extra humidity to help it along, you can place a small humidifier next to the plant. For even more humidity with less effort, keep your monstera in a naturally humid part of the home like the bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen.

Fertilizer

Monstera Thai constellation appreciates regular fertilization during the spring and summer. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month during watering to support strong and healthy growth. Stop fertilizing entirely once temperatures begin to drop for the fall and winter months.

Propagating Thai Constellation Monstera

Propagating a Thai constellation monstera is a relatively simple process, but it does require some patience. Unlike the common monstera deliciosa, this plant is slow-growing, and propagating it can take time.

Furthermore, you aren’t always guaranteed to have variegated growth on your new propagations, so it can be a risky endeavor. However, if you have a large plant that needs a trim and you are looking to give propagation a try, here are the steps you should follow:

1. Take a stem cutting. Use a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears to cut a piece of stem that has at least one node and one leaf (but no more than three nodes and leaves).
2. Remove bottom leaves. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting if you have more than one node, leaving just one or two leaves on top.
3. Place cutting in water. Fill a vase or small glass container with fresh water and place the cutting in the water, ensuring the nodes are submerged and the leaf is above the surface.
4. Set in bright light. Place the cutting in a warm location that receives bright, indirect light.
5. Keep water clean. Refresh the water once a week. Small roots should begin to grow within three to four weeks.
6. Transfer to soil. Once the roots are about an inch or two long, the cutting can be transferred to a loose, chunky soil mix. After it has been potted, return the cutting to its original location.
7. Keep soil moist. Keep the mix evenly moist for the first two weeks to help the roots acclimate from water to soil.

Potting and Repotting Thai Constellation Monstera

Monsteras are generally content to be a little root bound, so you shouldn't have to repot the monstera thai constellation too often. Most likely it will only need to be repotted once every few years when its roots are growing out of the top of the pot or the drainage hole at the bottom.

When you repot your Thai constellation, increase the pot size by 2 to 4 inches in diameter.

If you bring a new monstera Thai constellation home and notice that it is planted in poor quality soil, or in a pot that is too large (e.g., there’s too much soil and it’s staying wet for an extended period of time), then you should repot your plant into a smaller container with a more appropriate soil mix.

Get Your Repotting Gear Ready

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Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Luckily the Thai constellation monstera isn’t particularly prone to common houseplant pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips. If you notice signs of an infestation on your plant, it’s likely that the pests migrated from another plant. Isolate your plant immediately and begin treatment with an insecticide until the infestation is resolved.

As far as diseases go, root rot is the biggest one to watch out for with this monstera. Most of the time, root rot results from overwatering, and it can be devastating to the plant if it's not caught early enough. Drooping leaves and brown, mushy stems are signs that your plant may be suffering from root rot. If the infection is mild, you can try cutting away the affected roots and repotting. However, if the entire root system is affected you will likely need to take stem cuttings of your plant and attempt propagation in order to save it.

Common Problems With Thai Constellation Monstera

While this monstera is considered relatively easy to grow, it’s normal to run into a few issues as you learn how to care for your plant. This is particularly true since the Thai constellation is variegated, which can present some unique challenges.

Brown Leaves

The occasional brown leaf is usually nothing to worry about, but if your plant's leaves are rapidly turning brown, then there is likely an underlying cause. If the entire leaf is browning and dying off, underwatering, dry conditions, or a lack of sunlight may be to blame.

If your plant is developing crispy brown spots or edges, then leaf burn (too much sunlight) or overly dry conditions (lack of humidity) are likely to blame.

Yellow Leaves

Similarly, yellow leaves are only a cause for concern if your plant is developing several yellow leaves at once. Usually, underwatering, a lack of light, overwatering, or a lack of nutrients (not enough fertilizer) are to blame. Evaluate your plant’s growing conditions to determine which one is the most likely culprit.

Variegation Turning Brown

Leaves turning brown and dying off is an especially common problem when you first bring a plant home. Usually it's because your plant is suffering from transport stress—it’s adjusting to a change in growing conditions. The delicate highly variegated leaves are often the ones to suffer, since they lack chlorophyll that all-green or mostly green leaves have to support their growth.

When you first bring it home, give your plant some extra humidity to help protect the delicate leaves as it adjusts to its new environment. Ultimately, it’s normal for your plant to experience some stress. You may lose a couple of leaves along the way, but as long as you are providing your plant with the right growing conditions, it should bounce back and grow new leaves.

From: thespruce