Monstera acuminata, Monstera karwinskyi

Robust scandent epiphyte to 30 m tall. Leaves of this species rarely have holes in house cultivation.

Monstera adansonii, Monstera friedrichsthalii

Monstera adansonii is similar to Monstera obliqua but Monstera obliqua and Monstera adansonii are not the same species. There are many hybrids in cultivation between Monstera adansonii and Monstera obliqua.

Monstera obliqua leaves are as thin as a sheet of paper, when adansonii leaves are a bit rough. Obliquas leaves consist mostly of holes. Adansonii leaves are not as longitindial as obliqua's. The holes in adansonii cover generally half of the adult leaf.

See Article about Philodendrons.

Monstera aureopinnata

Monstera aureopinnata is a pinnate growing Monstera with ease of cultivation and regal stature in its favor.

Monstera deliciosa, Philodendron pertusum

A jungle climbing relative of the philodendron from Mexico and Guatemala. It is seen in gardens in tropical and subtropical areas, growing well in partial sun or shade. The plant begins bearing after three years. Popular as a houseplant, it seldom fruits in the home. The large pinnate leaves are perforated with oblong or oval holes, hence one common name. The 9", dull, deep green, cone-like fruit is actually an unripened flower spike, covered with hexagonal scales that dry out and separate as the fruit ripens from the base upwards, revealing the white pulp. It takes a little longer than a year to mature to an edible stage. The fruit tastes kind of like a cross between a sugar apple and a pineapple.Very perfuming smell and taste! It's so amazing, can't figure the consistency, but totally a pineapple sugar apple cross... But wash the black specks off before eating - they will sting your tongue. Unripe fruit, if eaten causes irritation to the mouth and throat because of the oxalic acid. It can be induced to ripen by picking when the base has started to wrinkle and wrapping in a bag for a few days. When unwrapped, the scales should have separated.

Another interesting characteristic of this plant is that the seedlings, upon germination, will grow in the direction of the darkest area (not just merely away from light) until they encounter the base of a tree to grow on. They will then begin to climb toward the light which is generally up into the canopy of the tree upon which it is growing. Propagated by cuttings of mature wood or air layering.

See Article about Philodendrons.

Monstera dubia

A tropical plant that produces heavy jointed stems which root at the nodes. The young leaves are 4 to 5 inches long; waxy; entire; and deeply lobed when mature.

Monstera karstenianum

A very rare but fast growing plant from Aroid family. It has spectacularly puckered, iridescent leaves that are unusually rigid. This monstera is a climber with bullate leaves that stay a reasonable size. The plant has leather-like green leaves that feel like braille on your fingertips. The texture and design pop off the leaf. And the stems are long and twist around like vines. The stunning bi-colored jade leaves are unusually rigid and generally spaced at 2" intervals when totem grown.

Monstera obliqua

Unusual form of Monstera. Leathery foliage. Makes an interesting indoor specimen. Slow growing. Leaves have oval holes. It is sometimes referred to as the juvenile form of Monstera adansonii. Very close related species - Monstera adansonii. There are many hybrids in cultivation between Monstera adansonii and Monstera obliqua.

Monstera obliqua leaves are as thin as a sheet of paper, when adansonii leaves are a bit rough. Obliquas leaves consist mostly of holes. Adansonii leaves are not as longitindial as obliqua's. The holes in adansonii cover generally half of the adult leaf.

Monstera pinnatipartita

This species starts out with somewhat light green undivided leaves. It then begins to split as the plant matures growing small splits along the leaf. Eventually, the plant will set up in a nook or a joint in a tree and begin growing as if nesting. This is where the plant becomes most interesting. The leaves become completely divided or pinnate.

Monstera siltepecana

Monstera siltepecana has very unique leaves. While young the foliage is a blue green with silver markings. As it matures these markings fade and the leaves become much larger and start to form holes.

Monstera tenuis

Monstera tenuis is a vine that undergoes a dramatic change in leaf morphology during its development. Its small, round juvenile leaves grow closely pressed against its support tree trunk. As the vine grows vertically, the leaves become larger, but at some point the leaves become very large and dissected and are held away from the host tree trunk on stout petioles. The juvenile leaf morphology is well-suited for diffuse light capture while the adult morphology enhances exposure to direct light. Light availability and a threshold juvenile leaf size have been hypothesized to influence this dramatic morphological change.