Split leaf philodendron or Monstera deliciosa is a commonly grown houseplant. But in its native environment, the plant is a liana epiphyte, a clinging vine that climbs up trees with its tentacle-like air roots that can reach 70 feet (21 m.) or more in length. In the wild, Monstera deliciosa flower and fruit, but they rarely do so when grown as houseplants. Is it possible to get a Monstera plant to flower? Conditions need to be just perfect for a Monstera to bloom, but it isn’t impossible.
Monstera Deliciosa Flower
Monstera belongs to the same plant group as skunk cabbage and Jack-in-the-pulpit, and the resulting monstera plant flower looks much the same. The Monstera “flower” is a fleshy erect spadix or spike with tiny blooms surrounded by a boat-shaped spathe. Monstera deliciosa flowers are creamy white and large, about 8-12 inches (20-38.4 cm.) in length.
Monstera Deliciosa Fruit
A Monstera may bloom and fruit at the same time due to the lengthy period of time the plant takes to bring an inflorescence to a mature fruit. This means there will be ripening fruit, immature fruit and unopened inflorescences appearing concurrently on the same plant. Monstera fruit takes 12-14 months to ripen.
Monstera fruit is called a spadix and is comprised of numerous berries that are initially covered by a waxy bract (spathe) that drops from the fruit as it matures. The green, cone-like fruit is 8-14 inches (20-36 cm.) long by 2-3.5 inches (5-9 cm.) across. The outer peel is composed of hexagonal shaped scales that cover the sections of off white, juicy pulp.
Among the fruit segments are small black remnants of flowers and very rarely any seeds.
The fruit of Monstera deliciosa, as with the entirety of the plant, contains oxalic acid. However, it is rendered harmless once the fruit has matured.
How to Make Monstera Bloom
Native to wet forests of southern Mexico, Guatemala and portions of Costa Rica and Panama, Monstera cannot handle cold temps. Creating the exact conditions to mimic these regions in order to get Monstera to bloom would likely require a climate controlled greenhouse.
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In the wild, Monstera thrives in semi-shade in well-drained, rich, moist loam.
In the home, Monstera should be grown in bright light in the summer and direct sun in the winter, with warm room temperatures and medium to high humidity. The soil should be nutrient rich and the container should be large enough to provide ample growth space.
A support such as a moss covered slat should be used to keep the stems from breaking. Water deeply and then allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Make sure to water the moss covered support as well.
FAQs
The Monstera Deliciosa plant prefers high humidity and warm climates, much like the conditions in its original habitats in Central America. In the right environment, the Monstera plant produces its edible fruit about a year after flowering, although it's worth noting that this usually happens in three years or more.
How old does a Monstera have to be to produce fruit? ›
PLANTING AND CARING
Place them at least as deep in the ground as they were in the pot, and ensure adequate watering until the plants are established and during periods of very hot dry weather. Fruit can be expected after 2 or 3 years.
What to do with Monstera flower? ›
🌼 Fertilization and Nutrient Management for Blooming
Feeding Monstera with a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength, at least once every four weeks can stimulate flowering. Avoid overfertilization. While nutrients are important, too much can lead to excessive foliage growth and hinder flower production.
Is it rare for Monstera to flower? ›
In the wild, Monstera deliciosa flower and fruit, but they rarely do so when grown as houseplants. Is it possible to get a Monstera plant to flower? Conditions need to be just perfect for a Monstera to bloom, but it isn't impossible.
Is a Monstera a flower or a fruit? ›
Monstera Deliciosa – Fruit Salad Plant is an evergreen, woody-stemmed climber-shrub grown for its large, lobed and holed foliage. Mature plants bear sweet-smelling flowers which develop into large fruit-salad flavoured fruits.
How do you encourage Monstera to fruit? ›
Temperature and Humidity
This popular houseplant can adapt to indoor temperatures but requires increased humidity levels to truly thrive. A native to the rainforests of Central America, Monstera deliciosa prefers an environment with increased moisture for optimal growth and fruit production.
How long does it take for Monstera to flower? ›
Specific conditions need to be met for the plant to flower. However, in its tropical and subtropical habitat, the plant flowers easily. In ideal conditions it flowers about three years after planting. The plant can be propagated by taking cuttings of a mature plant or by air layering.
What does the Monstera flower symbolize? ›
Symbolism. It's said that Monstera deliciosa represents suffocation because of the rapidly growing leaf-bearing vine and aerial roots. That's why we prefer to stick to the Chinese symbolism, where the Monstera is a symbol of a long life and the honouring of elders and respected people.
What makes a Monstera happy? ›
Botanical Classification: Monstera deliciosa
Monsteras are vining plants and love to trail over the pot or climb along a stake or trellis. They love bright, indirect light, but will be happy under fluorescent lights as well. Monsteras are climbers, so as they grow, they will want to vine out.
What do Monstera flowers look like? ›
In the right conditions, M. deliciosa will flower and produce a blossom with a "spadix" that looks like a cone with tiny flowers encased in a cupped sheath called a "spathe." If you've ever seen a peace lily bloom, that's similar to what a Monstera flower looks like... they are cousins, after all!
Difficulty of Propagation: Monstera Deliciosa Thai Constellation can be difficult to propagate and grow, which can contribute to its higher price. Because it is a hybrid plant, it can only be propagated by tissue culture or cuttings, which can be a more time-consuming and expensive process.
Can an indoor Monstera grow fruit? ›
While Monstera deliciosa is the most common Monstera species grown as a houseplant, and may produce flowers, it needs to be pollinated to make fruit. “As a houseplant, Monstera rarely gets large enough or has enough light to produce fruits,” he explains.
What is the most sought after Monstera plant? ›
Variegated Monstera plants, particularly the Monstera Deliciosa 'Variegata', are highly sought-after houseplants known for their unique and striking variegation.
What is the difference between Swiss cheese plant and Monstera? ›
Monstera is the common name for monstera deliciosa, a large and big-leafed plant, while Swiss cheese plant is the common name for monstera adansonii, a small plant with narrow and oblong leaves. The confusion comes from the fact that some people call monstera deliciosa "Swiss cheese plant."
Is a Swiss cheese plant a Monstera? ›
This large, gorgeous plant, often called Monstera for short, also goes by the clever "Swiss cheese plant" moniker because of the holes that develop along the leathery leaves as they mature.
Do all Monstera plants produce fruit? ›
For this reason, it's earned the nickname “Swiss cheese plant.” Its interesting appearance makes members of this genus a popular ornamental plant, though not all species have edible fruit. When fully ripe, the monstera offers a wonderful combination of strong tropical flavors like pineapple, coconut, and banana.
How long does it take for a baby Monstera to mature? ›
This easy-to-grow climbing evergreen provides a dramatic focal point due to its size and unique shape. Monstera deliciosa has glossy, heart-shaped split leaves and is relatively easy to care for. It is a fast grower, about 1 to 2 feet a year, and takes about three years to reach full-grown maturity.
How rare is Monstera fruit? ›
Monstera fruits are rare, and the plants must be in their ideal climate with ample sunlight to flower and eventually fruit. The fruits can be found through local markets and specialty distributors.
How can you tell how old a Monstera deliciosa is? ›
In indoor plants like Monstera deliciosa, fenestration can be used to tell how healthy and how old the plant is. It might be surprising to learn that Monsteras are not the only plants that fenestrate, or split.
