--- title: "Thoughts on using this for a highly variegated albo monstera? and my…" description: "Thoughts on using this for a highly variegated albo monstera? and my thai constellation and snow queen pothos? the albo is a very small, mid cutting. worried…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/fQipaoQNS2SCTJGI4q9l9w/1J0z5l3qTPKI9dGQH_USxw" community: "Equipment & Materials" author: "fireside" published: "2024-07-02T19:37:05.942316Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/rug_CP-OnWf_u-K3Q63vc5tzMVbuXQWb-mCV97LG8yA/2gKW9y-sTBaz2U2JdqS2wQ.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Equipment \& Materials](https://getplanta.com/community/fQipaoQNS2SCTJGI4q9l9w.md) # Thoughts on using this for a highly variegated albo monstera? and my… _Posted by fireside on 2024-07-02_ Thoughts on using this for a highly variegated albo monstera? and my thai constellation and snow queen pothos? the albo is a very small, mid cutting. worried too much light might dry it out or burn but at the same time, too much white means there’s less leaf to photosynthesise... ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/rug_CP-OnWf_u-K3Q63vc5tzMVbuXQWb-mCV97LG8yA/2gKW9y-sTBaz2U2JdqS2wQ.webp?size=large) ## 11 comments ### fireside commented on 2024-07-02 ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/rug_CP-OnWf_u-K3Q63vc5tzMVbuXQWb-mCV97LG8yA/583eSA-UTQGfLQjymADuNA.webp?size=large) ### eatyacarbs commented on 2024-07-02 But how would you enjoy them if they’re in here 🥺 ### Mullein commented on 2024-07-02 I haven’t tried a grow tent myself. My monsteras (Thai and albo, mid variegation) have been really happy with window light and cheap grow bulbs. There definitely are people who use grow tents for houseplants, but I personally don’t think it’s the most necessary thing for monstera deliciosas. I think they’re more popular with anthurium enthusiasts. If you do go the grow tent route though, I highly recommend good ventilation fans. Mold is a killer in stagnant high humidity environments Edit: also if it comes with those lights for “tomatoes,” it’ll definitely be too bright to use them all at once off the bat #### fireside replied on 2024-07-02 and you get consistently good variegation? i’m in boston and they’re in a south facing window. despite that, all of my plants except the ZZs need a grow light. they burn in the window but 6inches away (the shelf forces a 6inch gap) and it’s not enough. they do beautifully with grow lights and 6 inches away but not sure if that’s enough for an albo. #### Mullein replied on 2024-07-02 Well… I got my albo knowing it had mediocre variegation because it was a lot cheaper. So it’s not mind-blowingly variegated, but it’s not gotten less variegated either I’m not a botanist by any means lol, but from my experience, monstera variegation seems to be more related to genetics than to light. Light plays a part, but it’s not going to drastically change the quality of the variegation, in my experience. Sometimes plants revert, unfortunately, but it seems to be more of a playing out of the genetic code than the light. So, many profit growers will cut off unfavorable sections, forcing the plant to go back to growing from a section with better gene expression. Their greenhouse conditions stay the same, but they reset the plant’s growth trend I find the amount of striping on the stem between nodes is a fairly reliable indicator of how variegated the next leaf will be. So, in that regard, my variegated monsteras have all been pretty consistent. If I got an all green leaf, I could cut back to a section with good “candy cane” striping, and try again. The light definitely more impacts leaf size, amount of fenestrations, and length of the petioles though. So I do like higher light for those aesthetics reasons. How have the fenestrations been going on yours? I’m in NH coincidentally lol, so fairly similar conditions. I haven’t had plants burn in the window, but then again there’s always some tree outside providing dappled shade no matter what window I chose. I also use cheap grow lights as a supplement for my fanciest plants, the favorite children lol. I’ve definitely burned plants outside though. I’m assuming that you probably don’t have anything breaking up the midday sun at your place then? So then the pickle you’re in is needing the output of natural light without the heat ray intensity at peak of day 🤔 How long have you had this albo? Out of curiosity. (Thanks for reading my TedTalk 😂) #### fireside replied on 2024-07-02 Yeah I have nothing blocking my windows. My pothos and string of pearls love it but anything else starts to burn. And I live on the second floor so I’m not sure if the light is stronger (it feels like it is) I knew the part about the striping being a fairly good indicator but not about light not really affecting how much white appears!! That’s super good to know thank you!! ### fireside commented on 2024-07-02 this is the mid cutting that i’m getting. my thai and snow queen are doing fine. snow queen needs to be almost directly under the light but still fine. but this guy has so much white and the node looks like it’s gonna produce similar leaves so i’m unsure ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/rug_CP-OnWf_u-K3Q63vc5tzMVbuXQWb-mCV97LG8yA/r1I0aWxjTPq7A9ZaQwAiaA.webp?size=large) #### Mullein replied on 2024-07-02 Oh so you’re preparing for the albo. That’s a pretty one! 😍 That one will likely have a lot of white as it grows. I would definitely do my best to acclimate it up to more light once you get it. How’s your humidity situation? #### fireside replied on 2024-07-02 very limited unfortunately. all of my plants are tough as nails to survive in my room 😂 i don’t have proper ac or heat so i have either a fan or a heater running 24/7. but it’s always facing the bed, the opposite side of where the plants are. and they seem to do well but i’m very nervous for such a small cutting like this albo. i can mist every couple days if that’s necessary which i assume it will be #### Mullein replied on 2024-07-02 Ah gotchya. I have a humidifier with a hygrometer, so I can set it to the percentage I want and not have to worry about it going way over. If that’s not really your thing, I would suggest some type of enclosure for the albo… but monster aren’t exactly small enough for something like a glass dome lol, so then we’re back to thinking about the grow tent 😅 Lots of people here have glass cabinets for their fanciest plants, but I haven’t tried one due to the typical price tag for one. So if the tent makes sense for your needs, budget, etc maybe it’s a good buy then! #### fireside replied on 2024-07-02 i’ve thought about getting a humidifier but i’ve seen so many posts that it actually doesn’t really do much. unless your plant is right next to it. same with pebble trays. what brand did you get? and how many plants does it work for? --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_