Get It Growing for 05/15/26

Thai Constellation monstera was a hot commodity when it first hit the market, with the hype really taking off around 2020 thanks to social media. Entranced by the plant’s beautiful green foliage with white variegations that resemble stars twinkling in the night sky, indoor gardening enthusiasts couldn’t get enough of this cultivar developed in Thailand.

Thai Constellation wasn’t just cool, though. It was somewhat rare — so if you wanted one of these trendy specimens for your own houseplant collection, it would cost you a pretty penny.

These days, Thai Constellation is easier to come by. It’s now in mass production, allowing retailers to sell it at more affordable prices.

There’s good reason for its popularity — and that of monstera plants in general.

Members of the Monstera genus, which are native to the tropical forests of Central America, are some of the most recognizable indoor plants. They’re relatively easy to care for and have striking aesthetics.

Monsteras have glossy green leaves that look like big hearts. They unfurl one by one and, as they grow, form deep lobes along their edges. Over time, the interior of each leaf becomes dotted with oval-shaped openings called fenestrations, which is why this plant is sometimes called Swiss cheese plant.

While a few monstera species are marketed as houseplants, Monstera deliciosa is the one most people are familiar with. Within this species, you can find classic solid green plants as well as cultivars like Thai Constellation that feature variegated foliage.

With creamy white marbling, Thai Constellation is undeniably attractive. But its unique variegations offer another advantage.

Monsteras are notorious for becoming, well, monstrous. Standard green monsteras grown indoors can sometimes reach 6 to 9 feet tall — and that’s more space than some folks care to dedicate to a single plant!

Because Thai Constellation leaves are covered with white swaths and speckles, they produce less chlorophyll — the green substance plants rely on for photosynthesis and energy. That helps keep Thai Constellation’s growth rate in check.

Thai Constellation also has shorter internodes, meaning its leaves are closer together along stems. It’s shorter and bushier than typical monsteras, which often have to be staked for support as they rapidly spread upward and outward.

Like many plants with light-colored variegations, Thai Constellation is a bit more sensitive to direct sunlight, which can scorch the white parts of its leaves. Place yours in bright, indirect light away from drafts and vents.

An east-facing window is usually best, as is keeping the humidity higher in the immediate area around the plant. This is especially important in winter when heating systems tend to dry the air out more.

Don’t overwater this plant. Just because it is a tropical species does not mean it wants a lot of water, especially when grown in an indoor container. Use a well-draining potting mix and avoid oversaturating it, which can cause root rot — a common demise for monsteras.

In Louisiana, you can move Thai Constellation outdoors for the summer. Sit it in a full-shade location, where its white variegations will pop. Be sure to bring it inside as temperatures cool in the fall.

Finally, if you have curious children or pets at home, you’ll want to know that Thai Constellation and other monsteras are toxic if ingested. These plants contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause painful irritation of the mouth, throat and stomach.

Learn about the unique Thai Constellation monstera with LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg.

Thai Constellation, a variegated monstera cultivar that once was a rare and expensive find, is now widely available at retail garden centers. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

With lower chlorophyll production and shorter internodes, Thai Constellation monstera stays shorter and bushier than other kinds of monstera. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter

Thai Constellation features the trademark monstera fenestrations on its variegated foliage. Photo by Olivia McClure/LSU AgCenter