Monstera

( mon - STAIR - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

These hemi-epiphytic plants (beginning their lives as terrestrial plants and the evolving into epiphytes) are popularly cultivated as houseplants, and produce large, shiny green leaves, often with fenestrations. These plants are native to tropical rainforests of Central America. Use these plants as focal points, understory plants, or as climbers on walls, trellises, arbors, or walls. In temperate zones, these plants are popular houseplants. Take care when growing these plants in the landscape or cultivating them indoors, as plant parts are mildly to moderately toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Monstera Species and Varietals

The genus Monstera includes 70 species, and is a member of the plant family Araceae. The plants in this species are closely related to those in Raphidophora (Shingle Plant), Epipremnum (Pothos), and Scindapsus (Satin Pothos). These tropical plants are suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 10a through 12b. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Monstera acacoyaguensis
This species has 'swiss cheese'-like fenestrations in foliage, and is native to Mexico, Guatemala and Belize. Leaves are large and green, and the plant reaches about 6 feet tall when grown as an indoor houseplant and up to 20 feet tall when in its native habitat.

Monstera acuminata (Shingle Plant)
Widespread in its native distribution from Mexico down through Central America, this species of Monstera grows as a prostrate herbaceous plant on forest floors. This is the most cold-hardy species of Monstera, and has the ability to raise from the floor and climb trees or other structures. After climbing, it detaches itself from its terrestrial roots and becomes an epiphytic plant. This species produces stems up to 100 feet long, though in indoor cultivation it stays much smaller.

Monstera adansonii (Swiss Cheese Plant, Adanson's Monstera, Five Holes Plant, Swiss Cheese Vine)
This tropical foliage plant is native to Central and South America, and has heart-shaped leaves with fenestration. Widely grown as a houseplant, Swiss Cheese Plant reaches between 3 and 13 feet tall. There are many varieties of this species, some with variegated foliage. A popular cultivar is 'Archipelago'.

Monstera alcirana
This rare species is named for Venezuelan botanist Alcira Perez de Gomez and is endemic to Panama. These plants love living in their native rainforest surroundings, and are also cultivated as houseplants. Flowers bloom from January through April and fruits that follow stay on the plant until May. Individual plants can reach up to 12 inches tall and 20 inches wide at maturity. Leaves are dark green and lack fenestrations, suspended on upright stems.

Monstera aureopinnata (Regal Ceriman, Aureopinnata Monstera)
This species is endemic to Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. These climbing plants produce large, shiny green leaves that are deeply divided when mature. Individual plants in this species can grow up to between 5 and 10 feet tall, though they typically only get to 3-6 feet tall on a moss pole when cultivated indoors.

Monstera barrieri
Native to French Guiana, adult plants in this species can reach up to 32 feet tall (when growing against trees). Leaves emerge velvety and entire, and mature to become large, green, and deeply cut. These are rare, highly sought-after plants among collectors and are threatened in their native range by over-collection.

Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant, Split-Leaf Philodendron, Fruit Salad Plant, Fruit Salad Tree, Ceriman, Ojal, Hojadillo, Mexican Breadfruit, Balazo, Penglai Banana)
This species is the most widely grown of the genus, and is commonly cultivated as an indoor plant. It is native to forested areas from southern Mexico through Panama. Young leaves are entire, but as they mature they develop deep cuts and holes. Flowers bloom on a spike surrounded by a white spathe. The specific epithet 'deliciosa' refers to the edible fruits produced by the plant. They can reach up to 3-8 feet tall and wide indoors, and outdoors can reach up to 60 feet tall. This species is considered invasive in several tropical and subtropical regions, including Florida and Hawai'i in the United States, the Seychelles, Ascension Island, and the Society Islands.

Monstera dissecta
This species of Monstera is native to many regions of Central and South America, and produces elongated leaves that are deeply cut. These plants typically reach up to 3-5 feet tall and 1.5 to 3 feet wide when cultivated indoors, and outdoors can reach up to 40 feet.

Monstera dubia
This native of Central and South America has soft, variegated young foliage that develops fenestrations as it matures. Older leaves are green and glossy. These plants are great examples of plants with leaf dimporphism. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i, the Seychelles, Ascension Island, and the Society Islands.

Monstera obliqua (Swiss Cheese Philodendron, Window-Leaf Monstera)
Native to Central and South America, this species has highly perforated foliage. It is not a commonly cultivated species. It reaches an indoor height of 4-5 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. outdoors, it can reach up to 6-10 feet tall.

Monstera siltepecana (Silver Monstera, Silverleaf Monstera, Swiss Cheese Plant)
Native to the wet biomes of Mexico and Central America, this species produces young leaves that are entire, which eventually will develop splits and holes. Young leaves also have a silver tint to them, which is lost at maturity. This species is considered invasive in Hawai'i, Central America (outside of its native range), and South America.

Monstera standleyana (Philodendron standleyana) (Five Holes Plant, Philodendron Cobra)
This species of Monstera is native to Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama and was first formally described in 1967. Leaves are green and elongated, and there are also many varieties with variegated foliage. This species reaches up to 2-5 feet tall and 1-3 feet wide in indoor cultivation; outdoors it can reach up to 20 feet tall. It is considered invasive in New Zealand.

Monstera tuberculata (Velvet Leaf Monstera, Giant Monstera, Giant Velvet-Leaf Monstera)
This species is native to Mexico down through Panama, and produces a large plant with young leaves that cup tree structures. Older leaves are entire, lacking fenestrations, and are held away from the rest of the plant. They can reach up to 8 to 12 inches wide. Velvet Leaf Monstera can be invasive in south Florida (United States).

Caring for Monstera

Monstera plants are hardy in USDA growing zones 10a-12b for outdoor perennial growth, but they can also be grown as summer annuals, potted perennials brought indoors over wintertime, or as houseplants. Choose a space in the landscape that receives partial sun and is somewhat sheltered; these tropicals do not like cool, drafty areas or being exposed to direct sun, especially during the warmest hours of the day. Monstera plants need loose, well-draining soil to mimic their native rainforest floor environment. A good mix for Alocasias includes a standard soil base amended with orchid bark, perlite, coco coir, vermiculite or peat moss to improve drainage and aeration and retain moisture. The best soil pH for these tropical plants is between 5.5 and 7.0 (acidic to neutral). Water new plantings regularly as they establish themselves. At maturity, these tropicals appreciate consistently moist soil. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. To prune, remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. In springtime, shape the plant and remove excess growth.

Growing Monstera Indoors
In temperate zones, these plants are typically grown as houseplants, and have become very popular in indoor plant collections. Choose a pot that has adequate drainage holes and a bottom tray (to catch water and increase humidity). Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with plenty of orchid bark, perlite, coco coir or vermiculite. Place the plant in a spot in the home that receives bright, indirect light, high humidity, and a warm, stable temperature between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer a humidity of between 50% and 60%. Water plants thoroughly, but allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. To prune, remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. In springtime, shape the plant and remove excess growth.

Propagation

Monstera plants are most easily propagated by taking and rooting cuttings from an existing plant. To propagate your Swiss Cheese Plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Monstera by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of Monstera cuttings is a chunky blend, such as one for orchids or aroids.
Choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that the plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances the cutting will take root. Take one or more cuttings, making a clean snip to a healthy stem just below a leaf node. Make a hole in your planting medium, dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in the pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. It should be kept in warm, sunny conditions in a protected area. Water whenever the soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, the cutting should be rooted. New growth indicates the formation of roots.
Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when the seedling can be hardened off and then planted outdoors.

Problems and Pests

Certain Monstera species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Monstera plants are susceptible to the following issues and pests: