Monstera (Monstera spp.)


Monstera Plant Features

Monstera may be the perfect houseplant for you if you're looking to create a big, bold, tropical feel in your home. It features big (2-foot-wide) leaves that look like they have holes or cuts in them, giving rise to two of its other common names: Swiss cheese plant and split-leaf philodendron (while monstera is not a type of philodendron, it is closely related to them).

While young, this houseplant has a dense, bushy shape, but as it grows, it wants to vine out. You can keep it bushy with regular pruning, or let it climb up a vertical support (such as fishing line fastened into the ceiling), for a decidedly bold and tropical look.

Looking for something smaller? Little Swiss monstera (Monstera adansonii) offers smaller leaves that are still big on texture. The older the plant and the better the conditions, the larger it gets and the bigger its leaves grow. 

Monstera Questions?
If you have questions about growing monstera, just send us an email. Our houseplant experts are happy to help.
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Buy Monstera
Buy a variety of Monstera, including Monstera deliciosa, Little Swiss, and Monstera sp. Peru online and have it shipped fresh from our farm, direct to your door from our online plant shop. Or find it online or at your favorite local garden center from one of our retailer partners.
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Monstera Growing Instructions

Grow monstera just about anywhere in your house! It tolerates low light, but grows faster and becomes more dramatic in a bright spot. In most areas, it can take some direct sun on its leaves when grown in the house.

Water monstera regularly -- enough to keep the soil from drying out. The plant is somewhat drought tolerant, so you don't need to worry about keeping up with the watering all time time. It's a survivor! 

Fertilize monstera a few times in spring and summer to keep it happiest, especially if the leaves start to look light green or pale around the veins. You can fertilize it more regularly -- even weekly -- if you want more growth. Either way, use a houseplant fertilizer and adhere to the directions on the product packaging. 

Note: Outdoors in frost-free areas such as Southern Florida, monstera can climb more than 60 feet and the leaves can grow 3 or even 4 feet wide. When happy outdoors, it produces calla-like blooms that turn into bizarre-looking fruit.  

Monstera is not recommended for human or animal consumption.
  • Water

    Medium water needs

  • Light

    Indoors: High light

    Indoors: Low light

    Indoors: Medium light

  • Colors

    Green

  • Special Features

    Purifies the air

    Super-easy to grow


Complement your Monstera

Ficus
Monstera is a big plant -- and a bold texture like rubber tree makes a great complement.

Money Tree
Grow money tree with monstera for a bold, modern look!

Snake Plant
Snake plant's spikey, upright texture is a bold contrast to monstera's large leaves.


Our favorite varieties

Little Swiss Monstera

Little Swiss Monstera

Monstera adansonii

Little Swiss monstera features medium-green oval leaves decorated with dramatic holes (reminiscent of a slice of Swiss cheese). It's a fast-growing houseplant that can climb 6 feet or more when it's happy.

Monstera

Monstera

Monstera deliciosa

Sometimes also called Swiss cheese plant or split-leaf philodendron (even though it's not a philodendron), this plant features large, heart-shaped leaves with stunning cuts. It can climb 10 feet or more when happy.

Monstera Peru

Monstera Peru

Monstera sp. Peru

Monstera sp. Peru, also sometimes called Monstera karstenianum or Green Galaxy Monstera, sports highly textured, dark green leaves. Like other monstera varieties, it prefers to climb.

Cobra Monstera

Cobra Monstera

Monstera standleyana Albo-Variegata

This variety sports oval-shaped dark green leaves streaked with creamy white.