Monstera Deliciosa vs Borsigiana: Truth Revealed

In general, the distinguishing factor between Monstera Deliciosa and Borsigiana is their geniculum which is the plant’s stem that joins the stem to its petiole. 

You can identify them with their leaves, but there are various other ways to identify a Monstera Deliciosa or a Borsigiana.

Today in this article, I will be providing you with detailed information on how you can differentiate a Monstera Deliciosa from a Borsigiana.

Monstera Deliciosa Vs Borsigiana: Differences

The most notable differences between a Monstera deliciosa and a Monstera borsigiana are below.

1. Geniculum

Due to the wrinkly Geniculum, Monstera Deliciosa’s wavy structured leaves make them look like ruffles.

Many people even refer to Monstera Deliciosa as ruffles for that same reason. However, due to the wrinkly geniculum, Monstera Deliciosa is very flexible.

However, Borsigiana has a straight plain geniculum that connects it to the base of the leaves with the stem.

They must be mature enough to differentiate from their geniculum.

2. Size of Leaves

Monstera Deliciosa has large leaves that grow up to 3 feet in length and width or are even bigger in their natural habitat.

The leaves of Deliciosa are also leathery in texture and aesthetically pleasing.

Compared to that, Borsigiana has rather small leaves. Its leaves only grow up to 1.6 feet, approximately half the size of Monstera Deliciosa.

But depending on the conditions they are grown in, the size of their leaves can vary.

3. Growing Habits

Monstera Deliciosa can be a mess while growing up compared to Borsigiana due to its slow-growing characteristics.

Deliciosas often tend to grow in a horizontal and sprawling manner.

However, during its early period of growth, Deliciosas mostly creep in a downward direction as they are considered slow climbers in the plant kingdom.

Despite being slow climbers, they eventually turn into vines and start sprawling upwards as they turn old and mature.

Borsigianas are neater and have a better growth process in comparison to Deliciosas.

As they have vining growth habits, they tend to have longer stems that grow on the ground. They can also be placed in a stack where they will grow upwards along with the stack.

Unlike Deliciosa, they tend to climb and grow upwards since their early stages.

Monstera Deliciosa is, on the other hand, known to grow up to a height of up to 30 feet in its natural habitat.

4. Stem Structure

One of the deciding factors that separate the Monstera plants is the gaps between their nodes.

If you look closely at the Monstera plants, you will notice that the Monstera Borsigiana has more space between its nodes than Monstera Deliciosa.

This is one of the reasons why Monstera Borsigiana tends to grow faster and neater than Monstera Deliciosa.

Monstera Deliciosa & Borsigiana: Similarities

Here we will be discussing various similarities that make people confuse a Monstera Deliciosa with a Monstera Borsigiana.

1. Leaf Structure

Both plants have dark green leaves and look like they have been cut with a scissor on each end of the plant.

As for the cuts, they can be different from plant to plant, and it also mostly depends on the size of the plant, but almost all of the leaves appear to be semi-round or oblong.

Both plants have perforated leaves that adapt to environmental changes, and mostly they tend to have the defining quality of the holly leaves.

2. Leaf Shape

Even though the Monstera Deliciosa has larger leaves than a Monstera Borsigiana, they tend to have leaves with a similar shape.

You can tell the difference in the size of the leaves, but the shape of the leaf is quite hard to differentiate due to their likeness.

Both the Monstera plants form cordate leaves, which refer to heart-shaped leaves.

Even though the holes in the leaves of the plant stretch to the end of the leaves, it still maintains the heart shape.

3. Root Structure

Both Monstera Deliciosa and Monster Borsigiana have the same root system. Coming from the same plant species, they tend to have adventitious roots.

Ariel roots refer to the roots that grow below the stem or above the primary roots above the growing medium.

There are various advantages of having an aerial root which immensely benefits both the Monstera plants.

Due to the aerial roots, the Monstera plants have better moisture absorption, nutrient uptake, air exchange, and propagation.

As mentioned earlier, they both grow vine-like, and their aerial roots make it quite easier for them to form and grow on trees or walls.

Common Tips to Take Care of Monstera Deliciosa and Monstera Borsigiana

You need to keep your Monstera near the window under indirect sunlight. Place them either near an east-facing window or near a south-facing window.

• Water the plant more often if it is kept in brighter lights, but water it less in dim light. So water your Monstera plant every 1-2 weeks.
• They need the soil pH to be around 5.5–7, usually referred to as humus-rich but well-drained soil.
• Your Monstera will thrive in the temperature range of  65°F-85°F. Do not grow it below the temperature of  60°F.
• Monstera plants will thrive in humidity above 40%.  Use a water-filled pebble tray below your Monstera to increase the humidity.
• Spray the leaves of your Monstera regularly.
• You can eradicate pest infestation on your Monstera by watering your plant with water and 3% hydrogen peroxide.
• Provide your Monstera with a 3-1-2 N-P-K ratio, which refers to three parts nitrogen, one part phosphorus, to two parts potassium.
• Monstera plant prefers a glazed terracotta pot.