It’s easy to think of all Monsteras being basically the same. They all have those amazing split leaves and look pretty similar.
But not all Monsteras are suited to beginners. There are a lot of different varieties of Monstera, with some that will happily forgive your watering mishaps and others that crisp up simply by looking at them the wrong way.
And I understand about wanting to get the right plant. You don’t want one that has special needs that as a beginner you can’t meet.
So I’m going to help. I’ve collected and cared for a lot of different Monstera and learnt through plenty of trial and error which ones live up to their “easy-care” reputation.
So I’ll take you through the best options for beginner friendly Monsteras along with some honest advice I wish someone had given me when I started.
What Makes a Monstera Actually Beginner Friendly?
Before we look at the specific varieties we should clarify what “beginner friendly” actually means. I’m not just talking about plants that survive. I mean plants that can actually thrive despite you making some basic and rookie mistakes when. Wrong for them.
A truly beginner friendly Monstera should be:
- Forgiving when you forget to water it (or accidentally drown it)
- Adaptable to less than perfect lighting conditions
- Resilient enough to bounce back from occasional neglect
- Able to grow steadily without demanding constant attention
- Happy in standard household humidity (no humidifier required)
As a quick example: it wasn’t that long ago my air conditioner went haywire while I was away on a trip for the weekend. My apartment ended up rising to 90°F and most of my plants looked rough when I got home.
But my beginner Monsteras barely flinched. Thats what you’re looking for when yoire starting out caring for a Monstera (or plants in general).
Best Monstera Varieties for Beginners
Monstera deliciosa
Monsters Deliciosa is the classic Monstera that started the whole craze. And for good reasons.
Deliciosa is the quintessential “Swiss cheese plant”. It has the iconic splits and holes in it’s leaves that develop as the plant matures.
I got my first ever Monstera deliciosa from a grocery store many years ago now. It was just a baby and had no splits in it’s leaves but I had high hopes for. Despite my helicopter parenting (checking it daily, probably overwatering), it’s now a pretty impressive 4ft specimen, if I do say so myself, with amazing fenestrated leaves.
Why it’s beginner friendly:
- Very forgiving of inconsistent watering
- Adapts well to medium light conditions
- Clearly communicates when something’s wrong (droopy when thirsty, yellow leaves when overwatered)
- Growth is steady but not overwhelming
- Is noticeable and makes a statement even as a young plant
Monstera Deliciosa are just the best way to begin with Monsteras. Neglect them completely for months and they’ll bounce back within a few weeks. You can’t go wrong with them at all, especially as a beginner.
Monstera adansonii
Often called “Swiss Cheese Vine” or “Monkey Mask,” this Monstera has much smaller leaves but still packs a lot of charm in a more compact package. Instead of splits at the edges adansonii Monstera develop holes throughout the leaves.
Why it’s beginner friendly:
- Grows quickly so you quickly have some success
- Works well in hanging baskets or climbing up a support
- Perfect for smaller spaces or apartments
- Easy to propagate when you’re ready to add to your collection
- Leaves are smaller but still have that distinctive Monstera look
I keep my adansonii in my office where it only gets about 4 hours of filtered light each day. Those aren’t ideal conditions for it but it’s still growing and already has more than 20 new leaves this year. It’s also survived more than one situation where I forgot to water it for a few weeks.
Monstera karstenianum (Monstera Peru)
This is very much an underrated Monstera and might be my favorite recommendation for true beginners. The leaves are thicker and more textured than other Monsteras and have a deep embossed pattern. It doesn’t have any splits or holes, so if you’ve got your heart set on that classic look it light not be for you. But personally I think the patterns make up for that and it looks amazing.
Why it’s beginner friendly:
- Extremely tolerant to drought thanks to it’s thicker leaves
- Compact growth habit – won’t quickly outgrow your space
- Less demanding about humidity than other varieties
- Gorgeous texture even without fenestrations
- Doesn’t require staking or support
Monstera siltepecana
This is a vining Monstera that begins with silvery going foliage that turns into fenestrated green leaves as it grows. It’s often overlooked but deserves more attention as a fantastic starter Monstera.
Why it’s beginner friendly:
- Adapts well to various light conditions
- Can be grown as a climber or trailing plant
- Relatively compact compared to deliciosa
- Grows quickly enough to be satisfying
Siltepecana are another type of Monstera that show huge amounts of resilience. If one of your major concerns is that you won’t be able to look after it properly – this is a great option.
Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (Mini Monstera)
Technically not a true Monstera but it’s commonly called “Mini Monstera” because of its similar appearance. It will give you the look of a Monstera in a much more manageable size. And it develops fenestrated leaves much quicker, which is also a plus.
Why it’s beginner friendly:
- Grows quickly, developing splits even when small
- More compact than Monstera deliciosa
- Tolerates average home humidity better than true Monsteras
- Responds well to pruning if it gets leggy
- Very easy to propagate
I have one of these and have found it to be slightly more sensitive to underwatering than the others on this list. What’s good though is that it recovers really fast. Like, within hours of getting water. Having such responsive and instant feedback is helpful if you’re a beginner and still learning to read the signs of plants what they need.
Monstera Varieties That Are Too Tricky for Beginners
While I’m all for challenging yourself there are some Monstera varieties that are just going to be too frustrating for newbies. You don’t want to have a bad experience and give up before you’ve even really begun.
So here are a few I’d recommend saving for later once you’ve got a bit more experience under your belt:
Monstera obliqua
Yes, it’s beautiful and yes, it’s rare – for good reason. It needs perfect humidity, perfect watering and perfect light. It’s leaves are so thin they’re basically one big hole! Even those experienced with Monstera and collectors struggle to care for this one. (They’re expensive too!)
Variegated Monsteras
Monstera albo or Thai Constellation are absolutely gorgeous. They have incredible white leaves that are impossible to not be impressed by. But they’re notoriously awkward.
The white parts of the leaves lack chlorophyll. This makes it grow much slower and also more susceptible to problems. They also need more light but can burn more easily, which is a frustrating paradox. Add in their high price tag and you’ve got a recipe for an expensive disappointment.
When I treated myself to a Thai Constellation I still struggled with finding the right balance of light and water for it. It’s still alive but definitely not thriving like some of the varieties suited to beginners.
Monstera dubia
This shingling Monstera needs very specific conditions to grow properly. It looks fantastic when it does but getting it there is a lot of work.
It needs higher humidity, consistent warmth and the perfect climbing surface so it can show off its unique growth pattern. Save this one for when you have some more experience.
Care Tips for New Monstera Owners
Once you’ve chosen the beginner friendly Monstera you’re going to get this is what you need to know to keep it happy:
Light
What Monsteras life the most is bright, indirect light. Near an east facing window is usually perfect. They can adapt to medium light but they will grow slower and fenestrations might grow less.
Watering
Here’s my number one tip that saved my Monsteras: water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Don’t water on a schedule, make sure you check the soil instead. That way you can guarantee it actually needs water.
Overwatering is the most common way beginners kill plants. So if you’re in doubt, wait another day. Monsteras will forgive underwatering much more so than overwatering.
Soil
Standard potting mix is usually too dense for Monsteras. I mix regular potting soil with perlite and orchid bark (roughly 60% potting mix, 20% perlite, 20% bark) for better drainage.
If that sounds like too much work then a decent alternative is adding a handful of perlite to regular potting mix. It won’t be as good as the mix I mentioned above but it’s better than nothing.
Support
Climbing types like deliciosa and tetrasperma like trellis or a moss pole to climb up. It also encourage bigger leaves to grow. That said it’s not strictly necessary for plant health. It really more of an aesthetic choice.
Pruning
Don’t be afraid to prune! Cutting leggy growth helps encourage a fuller plant. You can also remove yellowing leaves as they won’t be recovering sadly.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
I’ve made pretty much all of these mistakes so don’t do what I did:
- Overwatering: More Monsteras die from drowning than drought. When in doubt, let it dry out.
- Poor drainage: Always use pots with drainage holes.
- Dark corners: Even “low light tolerant” Monsteras need some decent light to thrive.
- Frequent repotting: Monsteras often prefer to be slightly root bound. Wait until roots are coming out the holes in your pot before going up a size.
- Ignoring pest signs: Check under leaves regularly for spider mites and mealybugs. Catching them early is important so they don’t spread or kill your plant.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do Monsteras grow?
It depends on the variety and their conditions. But if they have good light and care most Monsteras will produce a new leaf every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season. My deliciosa puts out about 8 to 10 new leaves per year. My faster growing adansonii though can produce a new leaf almost every week in the summer.
What’s the absolute easiest Monstera for a complete beginner?
If you have a poor track record with plants then start with Monstera karstenianum (Peru). It has thick leaves that store water which makes it more forgiving if you forget to give it a drink.
Can I grow a Monstera in an apartment with little light?
You can, but maybe don’t have too high expectations. When there’s little light Monstera will grow a lot slower. On top of that the fenestrations (splits/holes) won’t develop as much. Of the beginner-friendly options Monstera Peru is best in low light. If your apartment is really dark then a grow light can help.
How do I know when to repot?
Repot when you see roots circling the bottom of the pot or coming out of drainage holes. This will be about every 18 to 24 months for most Monstera.
Quick Comparison Guide
| Variety | Growth Style | Indoor Height | Light Tolerance | Watering Needs | Beginner Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deliciosa | Upright/Climbing | 6–8 ft | Medium to bright | Every 1-2 weeks | ★★★★★ |
| Adansonii | Vining | 2–4 ft | Medium to bright | Every 7-10 days | ★★★★☆ |
| Karstenianum (Peru) | Bushy | 1–2 ft | Low to bright | Every 2-3 weeks | ★★★★★ |
| Siltepecana | Vining | 2–3 ft | Medium to bright | Every 7-10 days | ★★★★☆ |
| Tetrasperma | Climbing | 3–5 ft | Medium to bright | Every 7-10 days | ★★★★☆ |
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to start with rare or expensive Monsteras to build your confidence looking after plants. The varieties I’ve recommended have survived some awful care that I’ve put them through and yet thrive despite the fact I still drop the ball when looking after them.
My deliciosa has been with me through a lot. Through moving apartment, anu watering mistakes and a spider mite infestetion and it’s still the centerpiece of my living room. I really treasure that silly old plant.
So begin with one of these varieties that are good for beginners. Pay attention to the basics of watering and the light they need. If you do that then you’ll soon have the confidence and the knowledge to tackle more challenging plants. And then before you know it you’ll be that friend giving out Monstera cuttings and advice to other beginners.