Monstera
Monstera deliciosa · Plant
Monstera is a climbing plant of Central American rainforests, famous worldwide as a houseplant. Its large leaves develop holes and splits as they mature.
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Monstera deliciosa
- Kind
- Plant
- Conservation status
- Not listed
- Habitat
- Tropical rainforest
- Range
- Southern Mexico to Panama
- Size
- Climbs up to about 20 m
- Lifespan
- Lives for decades
- Diet
- Photosynthesis
- Activity
- Evergreen climber
- Population
- Widespread in its native range
Diet
Starts life on the forest floor and climbs toward the light, clinging to trees with aerial roots.
Behavior
The holes in its leaves may help them resist strong winds and let light reach leaves below. Its ripe fruit is edible, hence “deliciosa”.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Liliopsida
- Order
- Alismatales
- Family
- Araceae
- Genus
- Monstera
- Species
- M. deliciosa
Conservation
Common in the wild and in cultivation; it can become invasive outside its native range.
Main threats
- Rainforest clearing