A super easy going, fast growing evergreen plant, native to Central America. It’s a plant that is so fascinating to watch grow as they produce new leaves, unfurl and eventually fenestrate / or split, and get bigger, and bigger and BIGGER. A brilliant plant for kids and newer plant parents.
Keep in bright, indirect sunlight (will also tolerate a shadier spot). Wait until the soil is fairly dried out before watering again, deeply and evenly, and never leave them to sit in water after watering. Overwatering will cause yellowing of the leaves and underwatering will cause limp leaves with brown tips, this rule can be applied to most houseplants.
If you want to curb their growth, prune regularly. If you’re happy for a monster monstera, just leave to do it’s thing though you may find you need to support stems by tying together with string or by adding a moss or bamboo pole to tie to for extra support and stability.
There’s a debate as to why their leaves fenestrate, some say it is to allow wind to pass through with less resistance, some say it’s so water can pass down to the roots more easily, although the most common consensus is that they are to allow light through the splits to reach the lower leaves.
Did you know they actually flower and produce edible fruit in their natural environment?!