5 Things You Didn't Know About Monstera Deliciosa

1. It is a "Delicious Monster" with Edible Fruit.

The name Monstera deliciosa is no accident! It literally translates to "Monstrous (or abnormal) Delicious (fruit)."

• The Fruit: In the wild (and sometimes in very mature indoor plants), it produces a large, scaly, cone-like fruit, often called Mexican Breadfruit or Ceriman.

• The Taste: When perfectly ripe, the fruit is described as tasting like a blend of pineapple, banana, and mango.

• The Danger: The fruit is toxic and causes severe mouth irritation until it is fully ripe, a process that can take over a year! The scales must naturally lift away to expose the edible white pulp.

2. The Seedlings Crawl Towards the Darkness (Negative Phototropism).

Most plants grow toward the light (positive phototropism). Monstera seedlings do the exact opposite!

• When a Monstera seed sprouts on the jungle floor, the seedling grows toward the darkest area it can find.

• The Reason: Darkness signals the location of a large tree trunk. Once the Monstera finds the tree, it starts to climb upward toward the canopy light. This unusual behavior is a critical survival mechanism in the dark rainforest.

3. The Holes (Fenestrations) Might Be a Rain/Wind Shield.

While there are multiple theories, the most accepted reason for the iconic splits and holes in the leaves is for structural protection and water flow.

• Wind Resistance: In the wild, large, solid leaves would be easily shredded by strong tropical winds and heavy rain. The fenestrations allow wind and water to pass through without tearing the leaf.

• Water Channeling: The holes help channel rainwater straight down to the roots and support system below, preventing the large leaves from becoming waterlogged.

4. It Has Tiny "Muscles" to Move Its Leaves.

Monstera leaves aren't static; they have a way to adjust their position throughout the day to catch optimal light.

• The Geniculum: At the joint where the leaf blade meets the leaf stem (petiole), there is a swollen section called the geniculum.

• The Function: This area acts like a muscle, allowing the plant to pivot the leaf blade to face the best source of light as the sun moves or conditions change.

5. Aerial Roots Are Not for Anchoring in Soil.

Those thick, unruly roots that grow out of the stem are not meant to be buried!

• Primary Function: These aerial roots are meant to cling to the rough bark of host trees in the rainforest, helping the Monstera climb high into the canopy.

• Secondary Function: They are designed to absorb moisture and nutrients directly from the air and rain, not from the soil. That's why they are often brown and woody. You can direct them toward a moss pole for support, but they don't need to be potted.