Monstera is a genus of flowering plants in the Araceae family, A, native to tropical regions of the Americas.
Today, there are about 60 known species of Monstera and that number keeps growing. More than a dozen new species have been described just since the start of 2020. This expanded understanding of Monstera is being driven in part by Marco Cedeño and other collaborators—among them researchers at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Garden taxonomists and the Garden Herbarium have been a key resource in this endeavor.
Monstera are well-known to many houseplant parents. The glossy evergreen leaves give off tropical vibes year-round, and the perforated leaves add an extra layer of interest. Species like Monstera deliciosa and M. adansonii are in-demand houseplants, along with cultivated varieties like the white-speckled ‘Thai Constellation.’
The species of Monstera are generally nomadic vines — plants which begin life terrestrially, then ascend trees or rocks and eventually lose stem contact with the ground as the older parts die off, though ground connection is usually maintained by long descending feeder roots.
The genus is named from the Latin word for "monstrous" or "abnormal", and refers to the unusual leaves with natural holes that members of the genus have
