Year of the Monstera

The World’s Most Iconic Indoor Plant. Monstera has taken the houseplant world by storm, captivating plant enthusiasts with its dramatic foliage and unique growth habits. Belonging to the diverse Araceae family, Monstera offers various species and cultivars, ensuring a perfect fit for every plant lover. Discover the fascinating world of Monstera, from its various varieties to essential care tips.

Overview and History

First described in 1763 by French botanist Michel Adanson, Monstera adansonii bears its founder’s name. Well-known M. deliciosa found its way to plant pages in 1849, with the description originating from a plant collected in Mexico. Scientists continue to discover wild monstera species, with two record-breaking varieties found in 2021. One species presents the largest known inflorescence of any monstera (M. titanium), with the inflorescence larger than a human head. At the same time, the other possesses the largest leaves (M. gigas)—growing more than 9 feet in length!

Found in tropical regions of the Americas, monsteras can grow to amazing heights—some up to 90 feet tall. As hemiepiphytes, monsteras grow roots in the soil, as well as air roots that attach to trees or other plants, absorbing nutrients and water from the air. In the wild, the plant begins its life on the forest floor, scrambling up trees and other plants in its quest for light. While the monsteras that adorn your home stay much smaller, it’s good to think about their native habit and growth to understand how best to care for them at home. If you live in a warm zone—USDA zone 10+–these perennial plants add a gorgeous tropical vibe to your garden. Anywhere cooler, though, and they’ll need to grow indoors as houseplants (but they can vacation outside in the summer.)

Basic Types of Monsteras

Monsteras range in size, as well as leaf shape. Some grow easily without much fuss, while others display a bit of a prima donna attitude. You’ll find highly fenestrated leaves, as well as some varieties without perforations or only tiny holes. Most notably, variegated forms frequently command attention and top dollar—if you can find them! Some of the most popular monsteras include:

Monstera deliciosa

• Commonly known as a split-leaf philodendron—although not a philodendron at all—this evergreen perennial vine produces large, perforated leaves on thick plant stems.
• The heart-shaped, mature leaves are deep green, glossy, and distinctly cut and perforated. While it grows up to 66 feet tall in the wild, it usually reaches only 7 to 8 feet tall indoors.
• Mature plants may produce arum-like flowers with a spadix surrounded by a white spathe.
• The flowers ultimately produce an edible fruit that tastes like a combination of pineapple, banana, and mango—leading to its nickname, the fruit salad plant. The fruit must be fully ripe before eating. (Indoor plants rarely flower and fruit, however.)

Monstera deliciosa ‘Thai Constellation’

• The star of the show!
• When first introduced, this plant fetched out-of-this-world prices—IF you could find it. While it’s more commonly available today, it still commands a good portion of your plant budget.
• But it’s worth it: this beauty sports a gorgeous cream and green marbled pattern on its leaves.

Monstera deliciosa ‘Borsigiana Variegata’

• It’s the unicorn of the monstera world—and one of its most sought-after plants.
• With big, slit leaves that can also develop holes as the plant matures, each nearly 3-foot-long leaf looks like it was painted with unique, exceptional cream and green patterning.
• Give this beauty plenty of bright, indirect light. The non-green portions of the leaves can’t absorb light, meaning the plant needs to work twice as hard to photosynthesize.
• It also prefers moist, not soggy soil, so water it a tad more than true-green M. deliciosa. 

Monstera adansonii

• Also known as the Swiss cheese plant, this tropical ornamental grows quickly, reaching 13 feet in the wild but only 3 to 5 feet indoors.
• The leaves emerge oval, then take on a heart shape as they mature, with about 5 holes in each leaf. 

Monstera epipremnoides

• One of the larger monstera varieties, the plant grows tall with big leaves—bigger than many varieties.
• The perforated leaves tend to drape over one another, creating a softer look to the plant. 

Monstera standleyana Albo-Variegata

• Also known as cobra philodendron, the thinner, pointier leaves may resemble a philodendron—but this beauty is part of the monstera clan.
• It’s a highly sought-after variety, with variegated specks and streaks of lighter green or white—and the underside of the leaves may be completely white or light green, while the top is deep green.
• You may also see M. standleyana Aurea-Variegata, which is similar—but with golden-yellow variegation. 

Mini Monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) is not actually part of the monstera genus at all—but it’s a good imposter, with the characteristic leaf shape and deep slits of M. deliciosa. It is, however, an easy-to-grow, popular plant. It’s especially good for smaller spaces, as it’s not as big as its monstera cousins. 

Monstera Peru (M. karstenianum) 

• A smaller monstera without fenestrations, this beauty needs more light than many other monsteras to produce its shiny, leathery, dark-green leaves with darker variegation.
• Low maintenance and good for beginners.  

Monstera esqueleto

• Large, oval leaves look like more air than plant, with massive holes making this monstera appear delicate.
• It’s actually tougher than it looks, however, and relatively easy to grow.
• Avoid too much direct sun, which can burn the leaves. 

Monstera obliqua

• One of the rarest monstera varieties, this one’s for serious collectors or vigilant plant parents.
• The plant grows very slowly, with large holes in the leaves.
• It needs high humidity—about 85 percent—as it prefers to absorb water through the air via its leaves.
• This monstera is comprised of more holes than leaf material, making it a delicate addition to your collection. 

Monstera epipremnoides 

• One of the larger monstera varieties, the plant grows tall with big leaves—bigger than many varieties.
• The perforated leaves tend to drape over one another, creating a softer look to the plant. 

Monstera standleyana Albo-Variegata 

• Also known as cobra philodendron, the thinner, pointier leaves may resemble a philodendron—but this beauty is part of the monstera clan.
• It’s a highly sought-after variety, with variegated specks and streaks of lighter green or white—and the underside of the leaves may be completely white or light green, while the top is deep green.
• You may also see M. standleyana Aurea-Variegata, which is similar—but with golden-yellow variegation. 

Mini Monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma) is not actually part of the monstera genus at all—but it’s a good imposter, with the characteristic leaf shape and deep slits of M. deliciosa. It is, however, an easy-to-grow, popular plant. It’s especially good for smaller spaces, as it’s not as big as its monstera cousins.