This evergreen climber, whose natural habitat is in the tropical rainforests of southern Mexico and Panama, was discovered only in 1840, while its equally beautiful but less represented cousin Monstera adansonii was discovered as early as 1693. The reason why it was discovered so late, although it was well known to the indigenous population, is that it is very rear to be found in nature, but therefore very often in homes as a houseplant.
The name of the Monstera genus, which means abnormal in Latin, was given by its atypical leaf appearance due to holes and slits also called "fenestrations" and the name of the species of deliciosa, comes from the pineapple-like fruit it bears, mostly in nature.
As for the conditions required for the cultivation of this climber, it is a room with a normal room temperature, without cold drafts, which is reached by medium to bright but indirect light. If a monster is placed in a room with insufficient light, it will develop short-leaved leaves and unlike most other plants, these leaves will grow from the sun and not towards it. The reason for this is that the monstera is a climber, and the lack of light in nature means that behind it is a trunk, along which it can climb up and reach the light. It should be watered every 7 to 14 days, which mostly depends on the light conditions in the room in which it grows. A rule of thumb would be that the more light reaches it the more often it should be watered. Be sure to allow the soil to dry between waterings.
It should be transplanted every 12 to 24 months. Monstera is a fairly large plant, but can be restrained by supporting its leaves and branches with a bamboo sticks or poles made of moss, directing it to grow in height rather than width or by simply pruning the plant itself and less often transplanting it into larger pots.
Unlike the fruit (when ripe) the rest of the plant is poisonous, so it should be kept away from children and pets.
Since this plant is ideal for beginners in every way, there are no major problems with diseases either. But regardless, it should be inspected regularly for scale, mealybugs, and spider mites.
This plant, remindes of the tropics, like perhaps no other houseplant, has certainly adorned the homes of your parents and grandparents, and I prescribe it for its relatively undemanding character, making it an ideal plant for beginners.
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