> tiny monstera was going for $100, while you can get a large established monstera for $100 today.

This isn't about monstera, it's about Mini Monstera (Brand name) and Monstera ‘Albo’

> Unlike tulip bulbs pot plants do have aesthetic value

Tulipmania is mostly made up and still is a global billion $ business 400 years latter and it does bring beauty to the world for anyone who's not a dried up HN user angry they can't understand tech anymore.

But there is an element like expensive watches where Monstera Albo were both a status symbol and a complex thing of pleasure but unlike tulips I can't see it continuing.

A Monstera albo is not going to beat my 15 foot monstera long term, I don't think humans like unsymmetric variegated plants. Without being told it's impressive I'm not sure it is.