Few plants have captured the hearts of collectors and interior stylists quite like the Monstera deliciosa variegata. With its bold contrast between green and white, every leaf is a unique composition. This is not a uniform houseplant — it's a living, evolving piece of art.

The variegated form of Monstera deliciosa is the result of a natural mutation, where some cells lack chlorophyll. This creates anything from subtle marbling to striking half-moon patterns. But these creamy-white areas do more than stand out visually — they also affect how the plant grows. Less chlorophyll means less energy production, which makes variegated Monsteras more light-sensitive and slower-growing than their fully green relatives.

Originally native to the tropical rainforests of Central America, Monstera deliciosa is a climbing aroid that anchors itself to trees using aerial roots. In the wild, it can grow to impressive sizes, with leaves over a metre wide. Indoors, it remains more compact, but still demands space and support.

At Plantlovers, we’ve been working with variegated Monsteras for many years. In fact, the father of our founder Dirk Mermans was among the first to introduce this plant to Europe in the 1970s. The genetics of our current mother plants still carry the legacy of those early specimens — a lineage we continue to select for health, balance and beauty.

Meet the climbing cousin of the classic Monstera deliciosa. Known internally at our nursery as Monstera pertusum, this vigorous grower has been carefully selected and propagated from our own mother plants — chosen for their elegant leaf shape, faster growth, and strong aerial rooting.

While not botanically distinct from Monstera deliciosa, this selection behaves noticeably differently: the internodes are longer, the leaves more elongated, and the climbing habit more pronounced — especially when given support early on.

As the plant matures, the leaves can develop impressive fenestrations and even reach the same spectacular size as those of shrub-form deliciosa plants. In the right conditions, pertusum becomes a dynamic statement plant: vertical, architectural, and endlessly rewarding to grow.

We’ve grown and selected this climbing form for years, with a focus on strong roots and balanced development. If you’re looking for a Monstera with momentum — one that reaches upward rather than spreading outward — this is the one.
📝 Toelichting bij de tekst:

Philodendrons are a diverse and highly rewarding group of tropical plants, native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Their name comes from the Greek words *philo* (love) and *dendron* (tree) — a fitting description for a genus that climbs, crawls, or stands proud among other plants.

At Plantlovers, we grow a wide range of Philodendron species and cultivars, including climbing types, crawling types, and more compact, shrub-like forms. Understanding the growth habit of your plant is the key to caring for it well.

- **Climbing Philodendrons** grow upward using aerial roots and benefit from a moss pole or vertical support.
- **Crawling types** grow horizontally along the soil and should be potted in wide, shallow containers.
- **Shrub-like forms** stay more compact and often don’t need support, but can still produce large, decorative leaves.

Despite their differences, most Philodendrons follow the same basic care guidelines: they prefer bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, and moderate humidity. Their foliage can range from glossy greens to velvety reds and highly variegated patterns, but all thrive when given stable conditions and a little attention.

Whether you're growing a bold climber like *Philodendron 69686*, a crawler like *Gloriosum*, or one of our own selections like *Philodendron ‘Medisa’* or *pedatum red-stem*, the care principles remain the same — just tailored to how your plant likes to grow.

Philodendron ‘Medisa’ is a uniquely vigorous and vividly coloured cultivar, grown and propagated at our own nursery. With deep red stems, bold variegation and a subtle red outline along the leaf margins, it’s a true standout — stronger and more expressive than the well-known Painted Lady.

The name ‘Medisa’ is a tribute to family: it was created by Guido Mermans, who named the plant after his children — a blend of *MErmans*, *DIrk* and *SAndra*. And like its name, this Philodendron carries a legacy of care, selection and identity.

While similar in growth habit to the Painted Lady, ‘Medisa’ sets itself apart through richer colours, more pronounced variegation, and increased resilience. Its foliage ranges from bright green to yellow marbled patterns, with a fine red edge on emerging leaves. The petioles are strikingly red — especially under strong light.

This is a light-loving Philodendron. The more light it receives, the more intense the colours become. Support it well, give it space to grow, and it will reward you with upright growth, vibrant contrast, and year-round presence.

With its deeply lobed leaves and striking growth pattern, Philodendron pedatum brings a sculptural touch to any space. The form is wild yet refined — with each new leaf unfurling into a slightly different shape, like a slow-motion dance of botanical geometry.

Our nursery-grown selection is a distinctive pedatum type, known for its **red petioles** and strong growth habit. These plants are propagated in-house from carefully chosen mother stock, with a focus on vigour, form and colour contrast. When grown in **medium light**, the foliage develops a particularly rich, dark green tone — enhancing the contrast with the reddish stems and giving the plant an almost velvet-like depth.

Philodendron pedatum is a natural climber. In the wild, it uses its aerial roots to attach to trees and climb toward the canopy. Indoors, it remains manageable, but benefits greatly from vertical support — especially as the leaves get larger and more lobed with maturity.

Easy to care for, adaptable, and visually expressive, this is a Philodendron for those who appreciate slow drama and quiet strength.

coming soon

With its bold, upright leaves and sculptural silhouette, *Strelitzia nicolai* — also known as the White Bird of Paradise — brings an instant sense of scale and tropical atmosphere to any room. Native to southern Africa, this plant can grow into a small tree in the wild, with leaves that fan out like giant feathers.

Indoors, it becomes an architectural eye-catcher that commands light, space, and attention. While it rarely flowers outside of ideal conditions, its dramatic foliage alone is enough to earn a permanent place in modern interiors.

At Plantlovers, we go beyond standard production methods. Each *Strelitzia nicolai* is carefully composed by hand: we allow young plants to grow individually until they reach 40–50 cm, ensuring equal strength and uniform growth speed. Only then are they grouped into pots of 3, 5 or more, following a specific planting pattern — for example, a triangle when planting 3. This creates a visually harmonious plant with layered foliage and balanced structure, right from the start.

Over time, these plants develop sturdy trunks and may even produce side shoots from the base — a sign of a healthy, mature specimen.

Do keep in mind: **natural leaf splitting is normal** in Strelitzia. It’s a natural adaptation to allow wind to pass through without snapping the leaf. Minor imperfections are part of the plant’s character — and with the right care, your Strelitzia will reward you with bold new leaves and an unmistakably tropical presence.