Monstera Deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa
The iconic Swiss Cheese Plant — a climbing tropical aroid native to southern Mexico and Central America, now a staple of Alberta homes for its dramatic fenestrated leaves. Thrives with bright indirect light, chunky aroid soil, and a moss pole to climb. Loves warm humid rooms; slows in dry winter air. Mature plants produce edible pineapple-banana flavoured fruit ("deliciosa"), but indoor plants almost never fruit.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Indoor (native to Central America)
Light
Bright indirect light
Bloom Time
Rarely flowers indoors
Soil
Chunky aroid mix: potting soil + orchid bark + perlite + charcoal
Water
When top 3–5 cm of soil is dry; keep evenly moist but never soggy
Growing & Cultivation
Propagation
Stem cuttings with at least one node and aerial root. Root in water (3–4 weeks) or directly in moist sphagnum, then pot. Wetstick propagation (node-only) also works but is slower.
Pruning / Splitting
Prune long vines below a node to encourage bushier growth; the cuttings propagate into new plants
