HAPPY HOUSE PLANTS
Swiss Cheese Plant Makes Delicious Berries
From Tropical America
Monsteras grow wild on tree branches and forest floors in the American tropics. Some folks call them split-leaf philodendrons or Swiss cheese plants. It is because of their fenestrations. They are not philodendrons, though.
Their botanical name means “monster” or “unusual.” One common species is called deliciosa because it produces edible berries. The berries taste like pineapple and peach with vanilla hints.
Monsteras propagate quite easily. They develop aerial roots at each node which supports this. The aerial roots allow them to cling to trees. Their leaves split to allow the lower leaves to receive light through the canopy.
Collectors treasure variegated cultivars of Monstera. Aureas have yellow variegation. Adansonii tends to grow smaller.
Nomenclature: Monstera sp.
Origin: Tropical Americas
Light: Bright/Indirect
Soil: Moist/Well-Draining
Uses: Food, Ornament
