2025 is The Year of The Monstera
By Melinda Myers

[January 04, 2025] 

Kick-off 2025 with the addition of a monstera plant to your indoor garden. You’ll join other gardeners observing 2025 as the Year of the Monstera. Each year, the National Garden Bureau (NGB) selects and celebrates one plant in each of the following categories: annual, perennial, bulb, edible, and shrub. The plants are chosen for their popularity, easy-care nature, adaptability, diversity, and versatility.

Monstera certainly meets the criteria and as NGB declared it is “the world’s most iconic indoor plant.” The large, glossy heart-shaped leaves have distinct perforations called fenestrations. Scientists speculate these holes allow tropical downpours to pass through, minimizing plant damage.

There are several different monsteras, ranging in size and leaf shape including some with variegated leaves. Some are easy to grow while others are a bit fussier. Always check the plant label for specifics on caring for the monstera you select.
 
 One of the most popular and readily available is the Monstera deliciosa, commonly called split-leaf philodendron, even though it is not a philodendron. It’s known for its large heart-shaped perforated leaves on thick stems. In its native habitat, it can grow 66 feet tall but typically grows up to 7 or 8 feet indoors. The flowers that seldom appear indoors are like a peace lily with a cone-shaped structure (spadix) surrounded by a cupped white sheath (spathe). The flowers may be followed by an edible fruit that tastes like a combination of pineapple, banana, and mango. This flavorful combination inspired its nickname, fruit salad plant, and the botanical name that translates to delicious monstrosity.
 
In general, these tropical beauties prefer growing conditions like that of their native habitat. They prefer bright, filtered indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight that can scorch or cause leaves to turn yellow. Grow monsteras in a quality well-drained potting mix in a container with drainage holes. Water them thoroughly when the top two inches of soil are dry. Pour off excess water or place the pot on pebbles in a saucer. The pebbles elevate the pot above any water that collects in the saucer to avoid root rot. As this water evaporates, humidity increases around the plant.

Further boost the humidity by placing your monstera with other plants. As one plant loses moisture or transpires, the neighboring plants will benefit.
 

Only apply houseplant fertilizer when the plants are actively growing, usually March through October. Let the plant and your garden goals be your fertilization guide. Fertilizers provide needed nutrients to plants in need of a nutrient boost or when you want to stimulate more growth.
 
Support the plant with a moss pole or trellis as it starts to climb. The large aerial roots attach to nearby surfaces to help them climb. In nature, these roots help monsteras to climb trees and have been used to make rope in Peru and baskets in Mexico.

Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

[Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com]