Monstera are well-known to many houseplant parents. The glossy, evergreen leaves make you feel like you’re in the tropics all year, and the perforated leaves make them even more interesting. Species like Monstera deliciosa and M. adansonii are in-demand houseplants, along with cultivated varieties like the white-speckled ‘Thai Constellation. As people become more interested in these houseplants, we are also learning more about the plants that live in the wild, like Monstera species.
Botanists walk through forests, climb trees, and look through herbarium specimens. These places are very different from where you would normally find these plants, like plant nurseries and sunny breakfast nooks. Their work has led to some big discoveries—literally.
Scientists have named six new species of Monstera this year, including two that break records! One species has the biggest flower structure of any Monstera, and another has the biggest leaves in the genus.
Among the newly described species is Monstera titanum—a plant with an inflorescence larger than a human head. It is found in the rain forests of central Panama, often climbing up the trunks of trees. It has big adult leaves with some of the same holes that make Monstera famous in the plant world. But the inflorescence is what really stands out. The creamy white spathe, which is like a leaf around the flower spike, grows to be more than a foot and a half long.
Another new species from Panama is Monstera gigas. This species takes its name from the Greek word for ‘giant’ and it’s easy to see why. The leaves can grow to more than nine feet in length. Mick Mittermeir, who was part of the team that found Monstera gigas, wrote on Instagram about the find: “When we found found M We all missed it because it was 100 feet above us and its leaves looked a lot like Rodospatha wendlandii at first glance. ”.
In 2021, these and other new Monstera species were described. This shows how much we still don’t know about how diverse this genus is in the wild.
More than 250 years ago, in 1763, the French botanist Michel Adanson wrote about the first Monstera. The genus Monstera is named after him. The well-known Monstera deliciosa was described in 1849 from a plant collected in Mexico. But the botanical understanding of this genus has really taken off in the last decade or so.
Today, there are about 60 known species of Monstera and that number keeps growing. More than a dozen new species have been described just since the start of 2020. More is being learned about Monstera thanks in part to Marco Cedeño and other team members, such as researchers at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden taxonomists and the Garden Herbarium have been a key resource in this endeavor.
The first thing Cedeño did for his Master’s thesis at the University of Costa Rica was to look over the Monstera genus. Field collaborators Orlando Ortiz from the University of Panama and Mick Mittermeir (shown below with Cedeño) are also working on this project. So are Alejandro Zuluaga from the Universidad del Valle in Colombia and Tom Croat and Mike Grayum, two botanists from the Garden.
Cedeño is also a past recipient of the Garden’s Alwyn H. Gentry Fellowship, which allowed him to travel to St. Louis and work directly with the Garden Herbarium and scientists like Croat and Grayum. The Garden is giving the award to help train the next generation of Latin American scientists and taxonomists.
In 2021, a new species of Monstera was named after Gentry, who collected some of the first specimens of this species for the herbarium. However, the species wouldn’t be called new until many years later.
The huge number of new Monstera species shows that we still don’t know a lot about these wild relatives of one of our favorite houseplants.
Like many plants around the world, wild Monstera face threats such as habitat loss and climate change. Each new species name provides a jumping off point for further study and potential conservation efforts.
The monstera plant has become an extremely popular houseplant known for its large, split leaves and tropical vibe But did you know that there are actually many different monstera species found growing wildly in various parts of Central and South America?
Getting a glimpse of monstera plants in their natural habitat is a special experience for any plant lover. When allowed to grow freely in the wild these stunning plants can thrive to truly monumental proportions.
Here are some fascinating facts about witnessing monstera plants in their native environments
Nine Wild Monstera Species and Where to Find Them
There are around 50 recognized monstera species, and several make for popular houseplants. But far more monstera varieties exist in the wild. Here are nine spectacular monstera species you may spot if exploring their native habitats:
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Monstera deliciosa – The iconic split-leaf monstera. Found climbing trees or cliffsides in southern Mexico and Guatemala.
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Monstera siltepecana – Delicate leaves with silver markings. Native to parts of Mexico.
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Monstera adansonii – Nicknamed “Swiss cheese plant”. Seen climbing to great heights in Central and South America.
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Monstera lechleriana – Huge leaves with dramatic fenestrations. Grows in parts of Peru and Ecuador.
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Monstera dubia – Variegated green leaves with silver. Native to Panama and Colombia.
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Monstera obliqua – Massive leaves weather hurricane-force winds. Found in tropical forests from Mexico to Panama.
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Monstera esqueleto – Also called Monstera epipremnoides. Tear-drop shaped leaves. Grows to epic proportions in Mexico and Guatemala.
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Monstera tuberculata – Blankets trees with its leaves in Costa Rica and Panama.
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Monstera acacoyaguensis – Similar to M. deliciosa. Spot it climbing high in Mexico and Guatemala.
Ideal Tropical Conditions Help Monstera Thrive
In their native habitats, monstera plants grow in tropical environments with perfect conditions to support their spectacular size and growth.
They flourish in the warm, humid air and indirect sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. Average temperatures of 65-85°F provide optimal growing conditions.
These plants also rely on the frequent rainstorms in tropical areas. The heavy rainfalls ensure the soil retains the moisture monsteras crave.
Their climbing nature and large, fenestrated leaves are actually adaptations to help them thrive in the native climate. The holes in the leaves reduce weight and wind resistance.
Growing Larger Than Life as Epiphytes and Vines
When allowed to grow unrestrained in the wild, monstera plants morph into true giants compared to typical houseplant specimens.
They easily grow 3-4 times larger than container plants. Some wild monsteras can reach heights over 30 feet tall!
These plants naturally grow as epiphytes. Their roots anchor to a host tree without causing the tree harm.
Monsteras also grow as vines. They constantly climb and wrap their stems, leaves and roots around their supporting structure. This provides the anchor and support needed to reach such monumental proportions.
In fact, some people believe monstera even helps preserve its host tree. The vine’s roots may help reduce soil erosion around the tree roots.
Impressive Adaptations for Life in the Forest
Monstera plants don’t survive to epic proportions in the wild by chance. They have many specialized adaptations that allow them to thrive in tropical forests.
For instance, efficient aerial roots can absorb moisture and nutrients from the air when soil nutrients run low. These aerial roots are also used to climb and attach to host trees.
Thick, stiff leaves can withstand hurricane-force winds and torrential rainfalls in tropical storms. The holes in the leaves, called fenestrations, help reduce wind resistance.
These adaptations contribute to the monstera’s resilience. Once rooted, the monstera plant can survive and continue growing for decades in the forest.
Spreading Beauty Through Fruit and Foliage
Not only are monsteras beautiful to admire, but they also spread beauty through their fruit and foliage.
The monstera deliciosa can produce edible fruit with a sweet taste reminiscent of pineapple and banana. Animals aid seed dispersal when they eat the fruit.
And when monstera leaves eventually die and fall to the forest floor, they provide nutrients back to the ecosystem as they decompose. The large leaves also form a natural mulch and ground cover.
Truly, the monstera plant gives so much back to its native habitat. It’s easy to see why the lush leaves have decorated many a tropical forest scene depicted in art and photography over the years.
When found growing freely in the perfect conditions of its natural habitat, the monstera plant is a breathtaking sight to behold for any plant lover.
The World’s Largest Monstera Deliciosa Plant
FAQ
Does Monstera grow in the wild?
Where to find Monstera in the wild?
Where do Monstera plants grow naturally?
Did Monstera Plant sell for $5000?
Do monsteras grow on trees?
In the wild, Monsteras are climbers and will often wrap their leaves around tree trunks or other plants to climb to new heights. This helps them to get more sunlight and also provides extra support in case of high winds or storms. Monsteras are also epiphytes, which means that they grow on other plants or trees but don’t harm them.
What are the different types of Monstera plants?
M. adansonii (Monkey Mask Monstera, five-hole plant, or Swiss-cheese plant) is another popular houseplant. It also has several varieties, notable being ones being Monstera adansonii var laniata and subs. blanchetii. Besides varieties, there are narrow and wide forms and variegated Monsteras like albo, aurea, and mint.
Is Monstera a hemiepiphyte?
Monstera is a genus of over 45 hemiepiphyte plant species native to tropical America and surrounding islands. Hemiepiphytes are plants with two growth phases, i.e., one as a terrestrial plant (growing on ground) and two as an epiphyte (growing on host plants). M. deliciosa for sale ( see prices) and in the wild.
Where do Monstera deliciosa fruit grow?
You’ll usually find them growing on trees or rocky outcrops in the rainforest. Did you know: While it’s rare for this to happen with Monstera deliciosa grown at home, in the wild, you can find Monstera deliciosa fruit growing from this type of plant! 2. Monstera Siltepecana This variety of Monstera is native to Mexico and has much smaller leaves.
How big do Monstera plants get?
Monstera plants can range in size from a few inches to over 30 feet, depending on the species. The leaves also vary in size, with some varieties having leaves that are only a few inches wide and others having leaves that are over a foot wide. On average, wild Monstera plants grow 3 to 4 times larger in nature than they do when grown indoors.
Where do Monstera plants live?
Monstera plants naturally live in tropical climates and are most commonly found in Central and South America. However, you can find them in other parts of the world as well, such as Southeast Asia and Africa. These environments are great for Monsteras because of the warm temperatures and high humidity levels that Monsteras love.