Hey there, fellow plant enthusiasts! Have you ever caught yourself marveling at the stunning beauty of Monstera plants, with their lush, dramatic leaves that seem to add a touch of the exotic to any space?
Well, you’re definitely not alone in your admiration.
But, as I dug a little deeper into the world of these fascinating plants while prepping for this article, I stumbled upon some facts that were as intriguing as they were surprising.
And believe me, if you thought Monsteras were just about their Instagram-worthy appearance, you’re in for a delightful shock.
Are you ready to have your mind blown by the top seven Monstera facts that had me saying, “No way!”? Let’s dive in and explore together!
The First Encounter With Monstera
Let’s dive into a tale as old as time—or at least as old as 1693. Picture this: the Monstera plant makes its grand debut in Western literature. And who do we have to thank? None other than the French botanist extraordinaire, Charles Plumier.
He stumbled upon this leafy beauty in Martinique and couldn’t help but jot it down, calling it Arum Hederaceum, Amplis Foliis Perforatis. Fast forward to today, and we’re all calling it Monstera Adansonii.
But wait, the plot thickens. The name “Monstera”? That was all Adanson’s brainchild, popping up in his 1763 hit, “Familles des Plantes.” And oh, how it stuck!
By 1832, it was official: Schott stamped the name Monstera Adansonii on it, and the rest is history.
Flash forward to 1840, and it’s been 150 years since Europe first got wind of the Monstera. From the West Indies all the way down to Brazil, this plant had fans.
Nickname – Swiss Cheese Plant
Ever wondered why your trendy Monstera is also called the “Swiss Cheese Plant”? Well, it’s all thanks to those quirky holes!
As your Monstera matures, its luscious green leaves develop unique patterns of holes and splits. Take a look, and you’ll see these voids resemble the famous holes in Swiss cheese.
Growth Tip: To help your Swiss Cheese Plant develop its characteristic holes, make sure it has plenty of bright, indirect light. The more light, the more holes!
The Role Of Holes
Besides looking stunning, these signature holes have a couple of nifty tricks up their sleeves. Let me take you through their purpose.
Light Passage: Firstly, Monstera holes allow light to filter through to the lower leaves.
Airflow: Secondly, the holes help the plant to withstand strong winds. It’s pretty smart, right? By allowing air to pass through, these plants are less likely to be torn or uprooted during a gusty spell.
Water Regulation: Monstera leaves are large and can collect quite a bit of water. But the holes help reduce the water weight and prevent damage from heavy rainfall.
Nutrient Delivery: You might not guess it, but those holes play a role in the distribution of nutrients across the plant’s vast leaves.
A Fruitful Surprise
One of the most interesting facts, and a notable Monstera benefit, is that the plant also produces an edible fruit that is quite a tasty treat.
Appearance and Taste
- Color: The fruit resembles a corn cob covered in hexagonal scales.
- Flavor: When ripe, it tastes like a blend of bananas, pineapples, mangoes, passion fruits, and strawberries—a tropical party in your mouth!
When will you find the fruit? It takes a little patience. Monsteras typically need to be at least one year old before they start fruiting. (But it’s a rare sight in house conditions.)
But there’s a catch. The Monstera’s fruit can be toxic when it’s not fully ripe due to the presence of oxalic acid. So how do you tell when it’s safe to indulge?
Patience is your friend here; wait until those scales lift naturally, revealing the soft, creamy flesh underneath.
Remarkable Growth Power
Monsteras are also true champions of growth! They go through three different growth stages and their climbing nature allows them to reach dramatic heights, growing up to 1-2 feet per year.
Ever heard of the Monstera Deliciosa? In the wild, it can shoot up to an impressive 65 feet. And its leaves? They’re the stuff of legends, easily reaching up to 35 inches.
Another giant member of the Monstera family, taking things to the next level, is the Monstera Dubia, whose leaves can stretch up to 50 inches.
No need to panic—if you’re bringing a Monstera Deliciosa indoors, it knows how to behave itself. Instead of reaching for the sky, it’ll keep things chill, usually stretching up to a manageable 9 feet.
Built-in Sun Tracker
Ever wondered how your Monstera seems to just know where the light is? Like it’s got its own little GPS for sunbeams?
Well, let me introduce you to a nifty little feature called the geniculum. It’s not a spell from a wizard’s book but rather a super cool plant anatomy part that’s got a bit of magic to it.
The geniculum is the crucial junction where the leaf blade and the petiole—basically the leaf’s stem—come together. If you’re looking at your Monstera right now, it’s that wrinkly bit on the petiole.
Now, here’s where it gets fascinating. The geniculum is Monstera’s built-in sun tracker. This part allows the plant to move its leaves towards the sun, ensuring it gets all that glorious light for photosynthesis.
Rare Bloom Phenomenon
Have you ever seen a Monstera in bloom? It’s like catching a glimpse of a shooting star – quite rare (indoors), but utterly remarkable when it happens.
Take the famous Monstera deliciosa, for instance. It’s not just delicious by name; it flaunts creamy-white flowers that can stretch up to a fabulous 12 inches.
However, not all Monsteras are the same when it comes to their floral game. Some species, like the elusive Monstera obliqua, can produce a whopping eight spadix clusters. Meanwhile, the Monstera lechleriana prefers to keep things simple with just one.
- When will you see it? Flowering is more common in mature plants, often those over 3 years old and in their natural habitat.
- What does it look like? A Monstera bloom has a spathe, resembling a hood, surrounding a spadix (think of a lollipop wrapped in a leaf!).
