Monstera Borsigiana vs Deliciosa: All the Differences Compared
The Monstera plants have entered the indoor gardening niche and undeniably bewitch plant lovers due to their green, full foliage and uniquely patterned leaves. Varieties such as the Monstera Borsigiana and the Monstera Deliciosa are highly sought after. Although these two plants do share a similarity in features and are quite easily misidentified as one another, they do bear distinguishing features that set them apart from one another.
In this article, we will go deep into comparing Monstera Borsigiana vs. Monstera Deliciosa in pursuit of finding the perfect plant for your home.
Table of Contents
Introduction to Monstera Plants
Monstera belongs to a genus of about 50 species of flowering plants in the family Araceae, which are indigenous to the tropical regions of the Americas. The name “Monstera” is drawn from the Latin for “monstrous” or “abnormal,” alluding to one of the principal traits of this genus: big and perforated leaves. It has been an interior cultivation staple for a while now, having this dramatic appearance and, to some extent, not much trouble.
Monstera Borsigiana and Monstera Deliciosa are usually mistaken for one another due to the shape of their leaves, but there lie many differences that an owner of plants must know.
Origin and History
Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera Deliciosa, commonly referred to as the “Swiss Cheese Plant,” is indigenous to the tropical rainforests of southern Mexico and Central America. This celebrity plant grows huge and is perforated with holes; under the right conditions, it can grow up to 10 feet tall. The name “deliciosa” refers to the edible fruit of the plant, which tastes like a cross between pineapple and banana.
First described by Danish botanist Frederick Liebmann in 1840, Monstera Deliciosa has grown to be among the most famous houseplants because of its size and look, which can be pretty dramatic.
Monstera Borsigiana
Monstera Borsigiana belongs to the variety of Monstera Deliciosa and not to another species. Sometimes, it is even referred to as a “smaller cousin” to Deliciosa because of its much more compact growth habit. It was named for Friedrich Borsig, a 19th-century German industrialist with a passion for plants.
Borsigiana has gained some interest in recent years because of its faster growth rate and reasonable size, ideal for smaller spaces.
Key Differences Between Monstera Borsigiana vs Monstera Deliciosa
Growth Habit: One of the most noticeable differences between Monstera Borsigiana and Monstera Deliciosa is their growth habit.
Monstera Deliciosa: Deliciosa has a much more robust and slower-growing habit. It usually grows upright with thick and sturdy stems. Mature plants of Deliciosa can grow to a large size with leaves that can reach up to 3 feet in width, so it is a great statement plant for large rooms or patios.
Monstera Borsigiana: The Borsigiana is more of a vine. It appears to grow more vigorously than the Deliciosa, which makes it even better for trellises or moss poles. The stems of the Borsigiana are thin and pliable, making management in small spaces much easier.
Leaf Size and Shape
Monstera Deliciosa: The leaves are larger, thicker, and most of the time have a more ruffled or wavy texture. Fenestrations naturally occurring holes are more likely to develop with the age of the plant. This adds dramatic flair and brings a tropical feel to the Deliciosa. The edges of the leaves also undulate slightly.
Monstera Borsigiana: While the leaves are similar in shape to the Deliciosa, they are considerably smaller and smooth in appearance. Furthermore, fenestrations in this plant begin sooner, and the leaves are often symmetrical with less undulating edges.
Stem Characteristics
Monstera Deliciosa: Deliciosa has stiffer and more thickly scaled stems. The nodes are more defined in Deliciosa, and the stems can form a sort of “ruffling” near the nodes. This makes Deliciosa more likely to grow in an upright, tree-like shape.
Monstera Borsigiana: The stems of the Borsigiana variety are thinner and smoother. Being a Climbing characteristic, it means that this will be more likely to trail or climb rather than stand upright. For that, this feature makes the Borsigiana a good choice for hanging baskets or for growing along supports.
Growth Speed
This is one of the most important considerations, for those choosing between Monstera Borsigiana and Monstera Deliciosa.
Monstera Deliciosa: Deliciosa is known for its slow growth. The payoff is a large, very impressive plant that might be the focal point of any room. It can take its sweet time to reach its full potential.
Monstera Borsigiana: It is faster-growing and, therefore, generally easier to propagate, which greatly improves this choice for those looking for quicker results or who are in business propagating and sharing cuttings with friends.
Price and Availability
While Monstera Deliciosa is a larger size with a slower growth rate, this varietal tends to be more expensive than Monstera Borsigiana. The larger size of Deliciosa also contributes to it being less readily available for sale in smaller garden centers. Having a faster growth and more manageable size, Borsigiana tends to be easier to find and less expensive in price because of these growing characteristics.
Care Requirements
While both Monstera Borsigiana and Monstera Deliciosa require similar care, tiny discrepancies might sway your choice one way or the other.
Light: These plants do well in bright indirect light. Still, the Borsigiana might do okay in slightly low light because of the faster growth rate.
Watering: Both types will prefer to dry out a bit between watering. In fact, this is where the root rot really comes in when overwatering occurs. Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering again.
Humidity: Both love a bit of humidity to help along and respond well to regular misting or a humidifier, especially in the winter months.
Soil: Both Borsigiana and Deliciosa require potting mix that drains very well. Additions of perlite or orchid bark to the mix can improve draining.
Fertilization: During spring and summer, while in their growing season, they both love to be fed monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
Read Also : How to care for a Monstera Deliciosa | Complete guideline
Which Monstera is Right for You?
Ultimately, choosing Monstera Borsigiana vs Deliciosa comes down to the space you have and your personal preference.
Choose Monstera Deliciosa if: You have enough space and are looking for dramatic statement plants that could grow into a large centerpiece.
Choose Monstera Borsigiana if: You want a plant that is faster-growing, yet more compact, and which can be easily trained on a support or in a basket. Borsigiana also does well if you are a complete beginner in the area of Monstera care, as it generally allows more mistakes and is easier to care for.
Monstera Borsigiana and Monstera Deliciosa are gorgeous plants that bring a touch of the tropical forest into any home. Knowing their differences will help in choosing the appropriate plant for space and care. From the large and iconic leaves of the Deliciosa to the compact vine-like habit of the Borsigiana, these plants are sure to cheer up a room and add green to your life.
Key References:
1. Darian, S. (2023). Tropical Houseplants: Care and Cultivation of Popular Species. Green Thumb Press.
2. Li, J. & Hernandez, R. (2022). Indoor Plant Care and Maintenance. Houseplant Journal.
3. Stevens, C. (2021). “Monstera Deliciosa: The Iconic Swiss Cheese Plant,” The Botany Journal, 45(3), 234-246.
4. Thompson, R. (2022). “Understanding the Growth Patterns of Monstera Borsigiana,” Plant Care Today, 10(2), 78-89.
 *(Include an image of droopy leaves)* Some plants, such as calatheas, prefer moist soil at all times; otherwise, they develop that signature brown tissue damage on the leaves. The annoying thing here is that the damage cannot be reversed and can only be cut away, leaving you with a damaged plant. If the soil of your plant is bone dry, you'll notice that it's pulling away from the sides of the pot. This is because the soil has shrunk due to a lack of moisture, so make sure you are not letting this happen by watering a little more frequently. #### Signs Your Plant is Overwatered (darkgreen) Overwatering plants is a really common way that people kill their plants. Beginner plant enthusiasts often have a common misconception that houseplants need lots of water, but the reality is that these plants are native to hot climates where they may get periods of drought followed by large rain which rehydrates them. **Yellowing leaves** (red) can indicate an overwatering problem as well as an underwatering problem. If you are watering your plant too often and the soil is always wet, this can lead to root rot, which will begin to affect the leaves of your plant. **Limp and mushy leaves** (red) also indicate that you are overwatering your plant. This is particularly true with succulents such as Echeverias. Echeverias store water in their thick leaves and have difficulty storing excess water if you are watering your plant too often. This leads to mushy plants that eventually fall off.  *(Include an image of yellowing leaves)* Philodendron and Pothos plants tend to get mushy leaves that fall off if the soil is consistently soggy. My Philodendron Birkin recently developed some new brown leaves that fell off because I was overwatering it. Whereas crispy brown edges on leaves indicate an underwatering problem, if the whole leaves are turning brown, this tends to mean that the plant tissue is rotting due to too much water. You may also notice some water droplets on the ends of the leaves of some of your plants. This is the plant perspiring excess water through its leaves and can indicate that you are giving the plant too much water. Now, this tends to happen on plants that prefer drier soil, and I notice it quite often on my Philodendron Birkin and my Tradescantia Nanook. **Increased presence of fungus gnats** (red) can also be a sign that your plant is too moist. Fungus gnats like a moist top two inches of soil to breed and lay their eggs, so if your soil is wet, it creates a breeding ground for gnats. If you see lots of flea-like flies jumping around the top of your soil, I would just dial back on the watering and let the top two inches of the soil dry out before watering again. #### Watering Tips (darkgreen) It is important to allow the soil of your houseplant to dry out between waterings. This prevents the possibility of over-watering, which is one of the most common reasons people kill their plants. **Check the soil moisture** (red) before watering your plant by sticking your finger two inches into the soil. If it feels wet, leave it a few days and then check again. An even better way to check the soil moisture is to invest in a moisture meter. This device needs no batteries and tells you exactly how much moisture is in the soil, giving you control over watering your plants.  *(Include an image of a moisture meter)* When you identify that your plant needs water, make sure you give it a thorough soaking. Take your plant to a sink area and soak the soil four or five times until water drains out of the bottom each time. This ensures that all the soil in the pot gets moistened and there are no dry patches. **Bottom watering** (teal) is a method that has changed the health of my plants since I implemented it a couple of years ago. Place your plant in a container of water and let it absorb moisture from the bottom up. This method prevents water from getting on the leaves, which can cause leaf tissue damage. I hope this article was helpful. Now you know when to water your plants and when not to. Apply this knowledge to your plants and see the growth. Happy gardening! --- Incorporating these visual and formatting enhancements will make your article more attractive and engaging for your readers.](https://growinggaze.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/pexels-artempodrez-7242495-scaled.jpg)
