From its native habitat in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America to homes around the globe, Monstera deliciosa might be on its way to take over the world.
Originating in the dense jungles of Mexico and Guatemala, Monstera deliciosa features in plenty of interiors for being hard to kill and its so-called “fenestrated”—referring to the holes—leaves.
In its home range, the plant is a fanatical climber using the surrounding trees to move up toward the light. Living under the shadowy tree canopy, they fare well under the roof of your house, too.
And then, there is the name: Monstera deliciosa. Are we talking about a delicious monster, or monstrous deliciousness, perhaps? The name comes from the secret life most plant owners in temperate climates never see: huge, edible fruits that taste somewhere between pineapple, banana, and strawberry. After pollination by wild bees or flies, the plant produces a yellow-green and corn-like fruit whose insides look more like a banana.
The monstrous part has more to do with its big leaves and frightful growth rate, or as my mom once told me: “When I am home alone, it scares me sometimes.” She ended up selling her Monstera—a big boy at 3 metres wide and two metres high and deep—to a local restaurant for 80 euros.