Monstera deliciosa

If you want to give a 'jungle' look to your home, the Monstera Deliciosa and his majestic foliage is made for you!

For many years, we've seen it conqueer many buildings entrances, but it's never been as much trending as it is today! You can find it printed or illustrated on many decoration objects.

It has even got its own dedicated day on Instragram, thanks to the hashtag #MonsteraMonday. Every monday, lovers of that luxurious foliage post pictures of their most beautiful specimen…

The Monstera Deliciosa is originated from tropical regions of America.

It belongs to the Araceae family, like its famous cousins, the Alocasia, the Caladium or the Philodendron with which he regularly gets mistaken for.

The Monstera Deliciosa is a climbing plant, and in the wild it uses its aerial roots to hook itself onto other plants. It can grow very high, up to 20 m high! Its roots are not only used as 'hooks', it also serves to capture air moisture and minerals on the other vegetables that support it. 

Its cut and perforated foliage, easily recognizable, can reach an impressive diameter of 60 cm.

Though, when it's young, its foliage is not holed, the leaf is heat shaped and full. This is at this stage that it can easily be mistaken with a philodendron, sometimes being called 'split leaf philodendron'.

Growing up, the leaves start to split, and as the leaf size grows, the cuttings are more and more happening, and holes start to appear.

Those holes, almost circular, looking like hand cut, are the reason why it is sometimes called the 'Swiss Cheese Plant'. Those perforations and cuttings are not only for aesthetics!

It enables the plant to not tear up in case of violent winds, and let the light pass through to the other leaves and plants beneath it.

If you're looking for an easy and robust plant that's little demanding, the Monstera Deliciosa is the best candidate!

Just don't forget that this plant has a rather fast grow, so you need to plan for some space.

The Monstera Deliciosa needs a good light, no direct sunlight, but accepts to be in a semi-shade exposition. The more light the plant gets, the bigger and holed the leaves will be! If your Monstera keeps small leaves without cuttings, it's likely the exposition is not enough.

About the soil, the Monstera Deliciosa will need a light ground. You can mix 50% blond peat, 40% coco bark, and 10% perlite to get a well drained ground.

Monstera Deliciosa likes a warm temperature, so never put it in a too chill room, the best temperature being between 18 and 24°C.

It is quite resistant against parasites.

Water generously your Monstera Deliciosa and let the ground dry a little between two waterings, so it can stay a bit 'fresh'.

Don't forget to add regularly some fertilizer during spring/summer.

As it is originally from tropical forests, it will need a very moisturised air. Don't forget to vaporise and humidify it regularly, in summer like in winter.

Because it likes to climb naturally, don't hesitate to give it a coco plant prop, so its roots can hook on it.

If your Monstera Deliciosa becomes too big, don't hesitate to groom it, and keep the leaves to do some cuttings.

Toxicity

Like a lot of others Araceae, the Monstera Deliciosa contains a cristal called Calcium Oxalate. Those cristals accumulates in all parts of the plant.

If some is eaten, it can provoque mild to severe symptoms, depending on the quantity taken. Make sure to keep the plant out of reach from your children or pets!