Gardening with Tropical Fruit

The Monstera

By Gene Joyner, Extension Agent
Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service

The monstera (Monstera deliciosa) is a beautiful climbing vine native to Mexico and other parts of Central America. This has large leaves, often up to 3 feet long and 2 feet wide, which are low and have large holes near the center mid rib. This is commonly found in the wild growing up trees or open areas along the ground.

During the summer rainy season large flowers on thick stems are produced with fruits forming that look like shucked ears of corn. The cylindrical fruit can be 6 to 10 inches long and from 2 to almost 2 ½ inches in diameter. The fruits take many months to mature, but when fully ripe the outer skin begins to separate and fall away exposing a white flesh which has a flavor like a combination of banana and pineapple.

Fruits must be fully mature in order to be eaten, otherwise calcium oxalate crystals which are naturally found in the fruit can be extremely irritating. More even ripening may be promoted by placing the fruit in a refrigerator for 24 hours and then leaving it at room temperature until it’s fully soft. Fruits can ripen at various times of the year because often the vine will have multiple blooms during the course of the calendar year.

Some commercial production of monstera on a small scale is done in extreme south Florida, but it’s largely a dooryard fruit for homeowners to enjoy. Vines are easily propagated by tip cuttings of the vines and occasionally fruits containing seeds are found and they can be propagated from seed as well. Seedlings though are very slow growing and take several years to reach a size to begin fruiting.

Vines grow almost anywhere in well drained locations and should be protected from below freezing temperatures which can kill the leaves.
The ornamental nursery industry has long propagated monstera as a foliage plant for growing indoors or in screened areas. Several variegated forms with marbled yellow or white foliage are also available which add to it’s ornamental value.

The monstera has few pest or disease problems and should be more readily planted where one desires a beautiful tropical plant in the landscape.