Monsteras are well-loved and popular houseplants perfect for gardeners of all skill levels. For those who are new to this tropical houseplant, however, you may experience sticker shock when you see the Monstera price for certain varieties.
Before you decide on a cheaper houseplant to grow, let’s look at the Monstera plant price and what affects its cost.
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How much does a Monstera plant cost?
The standard Monstera plant price you’ll tend to find for a Monstera deliciosa falls between $30 to $60. This cost is only an estimate for a plant that is about three feet tall. Keep in mind, however, that this price can vary greatly depending on the exact type of Monstera, age and size of the plant, and location.
When deciding which Monstera plant to purchase, cost should be factored into the decision. After all, most people don’t have a couple of hundred dollars just lying around for plants, so it’s understandable if that super rare variegated Monstera plant price is outside of your budget. However, that doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to get a Monstera plant.
There are a few ways you can help reduce the price of a Monstera plant, and one such way is to do your due-diligence. Knowing what the average cost of the Monstera is, as well as what determines the cost of the plant can help you pick the best option for your budget.
How much is a large Monstera plant?
There are a slew of different factors that determine the cost of a large Monstera plant. A large Monstera plant can go for a few hundred dollars, all the way up to a few thousand. To help control costs, it is best to know what type of Monstera you want before searching for a plant to buy.
In order for a Monstera plant to grow large, it needs to be cared for properly. This means that the owner or care giver of the plant has put a lot of time and patience into caring for the plant. All of which increases the Monstera price.
If you want to help reduce the cost of the Monstera, consider selecting one that is a little younger and only a few feet tall. Monstera plants that are two to three feet tall generally have a price tag of $60 or less, depending on variety.
Why are Monsteras so expensive?
Some Monsteras are more expensive than others because they are so rare. This is especially true for variegated Monstera varieties. Essentially, a Monstera that’s more difficult to grow and care for will have fewer gardeners growing them, making them harder and more expensive to get a hold of.
So as variegated Monsteras are rarer than non-variegated varieties, because they tend to be harder to care for, a variegated Monstera plant price will often be on the higher side.
Keep in mind, however, that there are some affordable Monstera plants that are easier to obtain. The Monstera deliciosa, for example, is one of the most common varieties and costs around $50. If you’re looking for a Monstera on a budget, consider this variety.
Find out more about variegated Monstera here.
What is the most expensive Monstera plant?
The most expensive Monstera plant is the Adansonii variegated, with the plant having sold for $38,000. Most types of variegated Monstera typically have a higher price tag than non-variegated versions. In fact, it is not uncommon for cuttings of variegated Monstera plants to go for $100 or more.
The Monstera obliqua is another one of the most expensive Monstera plants. It isn’t unheard of to pay close to $3,000 for a simple unrooted cutting of this plant. The reason for the high price isn’t because the plant is so rare, but because it is so hard to care for.
This is because the Monstera obliqua has leaves with such large fenestration that it is more of a hole than a leaf. Because there is so much empty space on these delicate leaves, the plant cannot always obtain the proper amount of sunlight.
Add in the fact that the Monstera obliqua needs higher humidity and is all around more picky than other Monstera varieties, and you can quickly see why it is not as readily grown as more common types.
The good news is that most types of Monstera plants don’t go for thousands of dollars. But you could easily find varieties that have a price of a few hundred dollars, even for small, younger plants.
To help keep the Monstera price as low as possible, consider growing one of the more common varieties that costs less. These types of Monstera plants are usually readily available at garden centers and nurseries. Because they are so easy to obtain, they generally have a much lower price than the harder-to-find varieties.
What affects a Monstera plant’s price?
There are several things that have a direct effect on the Monstera price, and all should be taken into consideration when shopping for this houseplant.
Keep in mind that some of the factors that determine price may not matter to you. This means you could potentially lower your cost by picking and choosing which factors are most important.
1. Type of Monstera
What type or variety the plant is directly affects the Monstera price. In fact, it could be considered the main factor in determining its price. As you would expect, the rarer the Monstera is, the more the plant will cost.
If you’re just getting started on your Monstera journey, it would probably be best to stick to the more common varieties, such as the Monstera deliciosa. These types typically cost around $30 to $60.
Check out the full list of the most popular types of Monstera here!
2. Size of the Monstera
The size of the houseplant will also affect the Monstera plant price. No one wants a small, puny plant that could take years to grow larger and more impressive. Because of this, the bigger the Monstera plant, the more it will cost.
So while buying a giant Monstera can look amazing, prepare to shell out a giant amount as well!
3. Age of the Monstera
The older the Monstera is, the more expensive it will be. This is because the age, or maturity, of the plant means more time and care has been taken to get it to where it is now. This can also signal that the plant is more established and healthier, all of which can increase the costs.
4. Color of the Monstera
The color of the plant will also affect the Monstera price. Variegated varieties, for example, generally cost more than ones that are non-variegated and have solid green leaves.
Variegated varieties can also be harder to grow and care for, especially if their variegation isn’t stable. This means that if they are not provided with the right amount of sunlight, they can lose their variegation. Plants that are more difficult to grow and care for often have a higher price tag.
Thankfully, you can get around this higher price tag by purchasing a Monstera that has solid green leaves instead of the variegated variety. While this may not be the ideal option for you, it is a cheaper way to obtain a Monstera plant for the moment until you can purchase the more expensive types.
5. Location
Just as with anything else you could buy, the location or area where you are purchasing the Monstera plant can influence its price. Some areas have a higher cost of living than others, which generally means you will pay more for the same thing.
You’re also likely to pay a lower price for your Monstera plants if you live somewhere where they grow naturally, as this means that it’s easier for garden shop suppliers to cultivate them.
6. Shipping
Because it is not always easy to purchase near you, you may have to order a Monstera plant from another state and have it shipped to you. This shipping can add to the overall cost of the Monstera price.
Because shipping can sometimes cost more than the plant itself, it is best to purchase the Monstera locally if possible. If your local greenhouses do not currently have any Monstera plants for sale, ask them if they can order you one. Sometimes, local greenhouses can order plants that will come in on their next shipment and you won’t have to pay the extra shipping costs.
Where to find a cheap Monstera
The variegated Monstera plant price can sometimes keep indoor gardeners from growing this stunning plant. This is especially true if you’re new to the houseplant world and are not sure where to find cheap Monstera plants. Thankfully, there are some ways you can keep from paying the full retail price for these plants.
1. Friends or family
One of the best ways to find cheap Monstera plants is to ask friends and family members if they are currently growing the plant. If so, they may give you a cutting from theirs cheap or possibly even free.
2. Online groups
One of the great things about the internet is that it allows people, including plant enthusiasts, to connect with one another. It also opens up the opportunity for gardeners to share their plants with others.
Join your local indoor gardening groups on social media and connect with other like-minded individuals.You may not only get a hold of cheap Monstera plants, but could also potentially make new friends.
3. Plant swaps
Plant swaps are another way to control the white Monstera plant price. The entire purpose of these types of events is to trade either full plants or cuttings of various types of plants with one another. This helps to reduce your cost for the plants while also allowing you the opportunity to grow new and interesting species.
4. Look for damaged Monstera plants
It is not uncommon for garden centers and nurseries to offer damaged or wilted plants at a discounted price. This is because it takes more energy, time, and commitment to save a dying plant. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that you would even be able to save the plant.
This does give you the opportunity to purchase plants on the cheap. As stated above, however, the plant may not survive and the garden center probably doesn’t offer a guarantee on discounted plants.
You should, however, be careful when bringing in plants that look diseased. This is especially true if you already have indoor plants, since diseases and insects can spread from one plant to another. What you can do, however, is quarantine in sick-looking plants until you are certain they don’t have any diseases.
5. Scour online classifieds and marketplaces
It may be worth your time to search for Monstera plants on online marketplaces and classifieds. It is not uncommon for people to have a plant that they no longer want, but don’t want to simply throw it out. What they do instead is put an offer online for free or cheap plants.
How to get a free Monstera
The best way to get a free Monstera is to ask someone who owns a Monstera if they would be willing to give you a cutting. Another option is to join one of the many online groups that allow gardeners to trade cuttings with one another, especially if you have plants that they may be interested in.
These groups are great for helping gardeners to obtain plants that have proven to be difficult to straight out buy. It also makes the plant acquisition process much cheaper!
Nevertheless, trying to get a free Monstera can be extremely difficult, especially if you don’t know anyone who has a Monstera plant to share. If you do know someone who has a lot of houseplants, it may be worth asking them if they have a Monstera.
As mentioned, keep in mind that you may have to offer a cutting from one of your plants to trade for someone else’s Monstera. To help improve your chances of someone wanting to trade their Monstera cutting, consider pruning your Monstera to take cuttings and root them before you search for a free Monstera plant (for instance, growing a Monstera in water is very easy to do). A rooted cutting has more value than one that has yet to root.