Thai Constellation vs. Monstera Albo: 5 Simple Ways to Tell Them Apart
Monstera varieties sure are fun and fascinating but telling the difference between certain monstera plants, such as the Thai Constellation and Monstera Albo, can be difficult. My goal in this article is to make sure you’re able t tell them apart.
The differences between the Thai Constellation and Monstera Albo include the leaf shape, leaf size, variegation, color, and price. Aside from their visual differences, when it comes to plant care, these two plants have more in common than you might think.
In this in-depth guide, I’ll first delve into the many interesting differences that set the Thai Constellation and Monstera Albo apart. Then I’ll flip the switch and look at what makes them similar, so make sure you check it out!
Thai Constellation and Monstera Albo: Differences and Similarities
Monstera Albo Has Slimmer Leaves
It’s only fair to really compare the leaf shapes of the Monstera Albo and Thai Constellation in maturity.
When both plants are young–i.e., before they’ve developed any fenestrations–the leaf shapes can look startingly identical.
As the two plants begin to grow apart, you’ll see more and more differences emerge when it comes to the leaves, and shape is certainly one of them.
The Thai Constellation is very broad and round whereas the Monstera Albo has a skinnier, longer leaf shape by comparison.
Both types of leaves are breathtaking in their own way, but the spaciousness of a Thai Constellation’s leaves would certainly not suit smaller enclosed environments such as office cubicles or condos as well as a Monstera Albo would.
Thai Constellation Has Larger Leaves
If doing a leaf-to-leaf comparison, there won’t be dramatic size differences between the Thai Constellation and Monstera Albo, but enough of a difference that it’s worth talking about.
Between the two, the Thai Constellation will have impressively larger leaves.
If your Thai Constellation is a happy, well-cared-for plant, its leaves can easily reach sizes of two feet and sometimes larger.
As for the Monstera Albo, its leaves grow in inches rather than feet, with a usual growth range of about 12 inches.
That’s not to say the Albo’s leaves are tiny, but they don’t stack up to the size of a Thai Constellation’s leaves.
If your Constellation doesn’t yet have the largest leaves on the block, it’s not necessarily time to panic. It could just be that your houseplant has yet to reach maturity.
That said, if the Thai Constellation is well within that timeframe and its leaves are still stunted, you have to circle back around to its care.
Further adding to the sizableness of the Thai Constellation is that its big leaves grow quite dense as well, especially once this indoor plant reaches maturity!
Monstera Albo Is More Variegated
The best part about growing either the Monstera Albo or the Thai Constellation is that they’re variegated Monsteras, but their level of variegation is quite different.
Let’s begin by talking about the Albo.
The monstera Albo is usually the more heavily variegated houseplant of the two, with large swathes of variegation that can extend across either half the leaf, more than half, and sometimes even take up the entire thing!
That’s not to say that the Thai Constellation never possesses that same level of variegation, but it’s not nearly as common.
Rather than sizable patches that dominate most of the leaf, you’re likelier to see variegation in the Thai Constellation that’s much smaller and subtler.
It often looks like someone took a wet paintbrush and shook off some color on the Constellation’s leaves.
Even if a Thai Constellation features both the speckles and larger patches of variegation, the Albo doesn’t have that speckled look by comparison.
The less variegated areas of its leaves feature small blotches and patches of color.
Variegation lovers will not be disappointed in the Monstera Albo in the slightest!
Thai Constellation Is More Green or Yellow Than White in Its Variegation
Besides the level of variegation that appears between these two Monstera varieties, the color of the variegation is something else that’s disparate about them.
Admittedly, whether you can see this between the Monstera Albo and Thai Constellation depends on each individual plant.
Sometimes, it really does look like both Monstera varieties feature white variegation.
If you look a little bit closer though, especially across its more variegated areas, you’ll notice that the Thai Constellation’s colorful patches are not pure white. They’re not even ivory.
Instead, the variegation found on the leaves of a Thai Constellation is actually a very light green or yellow.
The Monstera Albo, on the other hand, doesn’t feature any green or yellow across its variegated foliage. The creamy colorful patches are always pure white or ivory.
Monstera Albo Is More Expensive
Now knowing what you do about these two Monstera varieties, if you had to guess which is rarer and more expensive, which would you say?
If you answered Monstera Albo, then congratulations, you’re correct.
It’s far more difficult to propagate the Albo than it is the Thai Constellation. If the leaves have no white in them, then the resulting plant will lack variegation.
Since they’re harder to come by, a Monstera Albo goes for quite a pretty penny.
Now, please don’t be mistaken. I’m not trying to allude to anything and say that the Thai Constellation is cheap.
It too is rare and so will be expensive to procure, just not quite to the same degree as the Monstera Albo.
The Similarities Between Thai Constellation and Monstera Albo
Given that they’re two varieties of the same genus (the Monstera), the Albo and Thai Constellation aren’t entirely separate. They have a lot in common, so let’s take a closer look in this section.
Both Are Variegated
Yes, I had to go for the obvious here, but not all Monstera varieties are variegated.
It’s the variegated houseplants that indoor gardeners love most, which could in part explain the rarity and high prices for both the Monstera Albo and Thai Constellation.
Both Have Heart-Shaped Leaves
Earlier, I thoroughly compared the leaf size and shape for the Constellation and Albo and came up with some pretty interesting differences.
Broadness and largeness aside, the shape of the leaves for both these Monstera varieties at the end of the day isn’t all that different.
You’ll realize this the most before both plants can mature. The heart-shaped leaves of the Monstera Albo and Thai Constellation almost look identical at that point.
Later, as both respective plants grow into their leaves, the aforementioned differences will emerge, but the heart-shaped leaves they both share will not change.
Both Are Sensitive to Overwatering
When growing either the Monstera Albo or Thai Constellation, a lighter hand when watering is always due.
Monsteras don’t like being overwatered in general, as root rot is something they’ve very sensitive to.
It doesn’t matter how large and healthy your houseplant was previously. The fungal disease root rot can kill a plant quickly, as once the plant’s roots die, so does the plant itself.
You should always let at least an inch of soil dry out before watering a Monstera again, and ideally several inches of soil for the Thai Constellation.
Both Like Bright Light
If you’ve grown a few variegated houseplants in your time as an indoor gardener, then this next similarity shouldn’t come as a surprise to you.
Variegated plants such as the Monstera Albo and Thai Constellation need bright light to maintain their coloration.
In the dark, the appealing colors and patterns that both Monstera are so beloved for will begin to fade and can even disappear entirely.
The saddest part is that once that happens, the variegation will never again appear on those leaves.
New leaves will grow variegation if they’re in brighter conditions, but if they’re not, then they too will come out green.
Now, bright light doesn’t mean streaming sunlight all day long. Bright, indirect light through a curtain or bright, filtered light will prevent leaf scorch.
When it comes to variegated Monstera such as the Albo and Constellation, browning or burned leaves are nearly as heartbreaking as leaves that lose their variegation!
Both Like Well-Draining Soil
Considering that neither the Monstera Albo nor the Thai Constellation like standing water, it makes sense that these appealing houseplants need well-draining soil.
A standard potting mix is fine for either Monstera variety but you will have to amend the soil with worm castings, orchid bark, coco coir, perlite, and peat moss.
Some compost in the soil will make it more nutrient-rich, which is important for epiphytic plants like the Monstera.
Both Like Room Temperature Conditions
When growing a variegated Monstera such as the Thai Constellation or Monstera Albo, you don’t have to sweat the small stuff like temperature too much.
Both these attractive variegated plants are happy with a room-temperature environment.
Now, the temperature range isn’t identical. For the Thai Constellation, it’s 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and for the Albo, 55 to 90 degrees.
Differences of five to 10 degrees apiece are really splitting hairs though.
If you keep your home or office in a habitable enough condition where you’re comfortable, then your Monstera variety will be comfortable as well.
Both Like High Humidity
As Monsteras, the Albo and Thai Constellation are humidity lovers, preferring their humidity over 50 percent.
Here’s a fun fact: even if you can’t feel it, there is humidity in your home or office. The rate is usually between 30 and 50 percent.
More than likely, you’ll have to buy a humidifier to keep the corner where you’re growing your Monstera moist and misty.
