Plant Library

Other Names:  Swiss Cheese Plant, Mexican breadfruit

Description:

This variety presents large, glossy green leaves with deep splits and holes; can be allowed to climb trees or trellises; flowering or fruit production is unlikely outside of a tropical environment; a stunning accent plant for outdoor patio areas

Ornamental Features

Monstera Deliciosa Plant's attractive large deeply cut heart-shaped leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year on a plant with a spreading habit of growth. The olive green fruits are carried on spikes which fade to buttery yellow over time from mid winter to late fall.

Landscape Attributes

Monstera Deliciosa Plant is an herbaceous evergreen perennial vine with a twining and trailing habit of growth. Its wonderfully bold, coarse texture can be very effective in a balanced garden composition.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and can be pruned at anytime. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Monstera Deliciosa Plant is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Hedges/Screening
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting
• Hanging Baskets

Planting & Growing

Monstera Deliciosa Plant will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. As a climbing vine, it should either be planted near a fence, trellis or other landscape structure where it can be trained to grow upwards on it, or allowed to trail off a retaining wall or slope. It grows at a fast rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This species is not originally from North America, and parts of it are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets. It can be propagated by cuttings.

Monstera Deliciosa Plant is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor containers and hanging baskets. Because of its spreading habit of growth, it is ideally suited for use as a 'spiller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the edges where it can spill gracefully over the pot. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.