Monstera
Monstera deliciosa
Monstera
The Monstera (Monstera deliciosa) went from a familiar houseplant to a landscape design staple during the pandemic plant boom. Now that prices have normalized, landscapers are using it outdoors where it thrives naturally: shaded beds, courtyard walls, and tropical understory plantings. The iconic fenestrated (split and holed) leaves are instantly recognizable and bring bold, tropical character to any garden.
Popular Varieties
Monstera deliciosa — The classic, with large fenestrated leaves up to 90cm across on mature plants. The standard landscape variety.
Monstera deliciosa ‘Borsigiana’ — Slightly smaller and faster-growing than the standard form. Common in nurseries and often sold interchangeably.
Monstera adansonii — Smaller leaves with more holes than splits. Works as a trailing or climbing accent. Less commonly used in landscape-scale planting.
Why It’s Popular
Iconic Leaf Shape — The fenestrated leaves are one of the most recognized plant forms worldwide. Instant visual impact and a strong design statement.
Shade Performance — Monstera evolved as a forest-floor climber. It thrives in the shaded areas where many landscape plants struggle.
Fast Growth — Given support and moisture, Monstera fills space quickly. A single plant can cover a trellis or wall section within a year.
Normalized Pricing — Pandemic-era prices of thousands of pesos for common varieties have dropped. Standard Monstera is now affordable for landscape-scale use.
Landscape Uses
- Shaded garden beds as bold foliage accent
- Wall and fence climber (with support or allowed to scramble)
- Tropical understory beneath tall trees
- Container statement plant for covered patios and lobbies
- Courtyard and atrium planting
- Ground-level scrambler in large beds (without support, it spreads horizontally)
Growing Requirements
Sun: Partial shade to filtered light. Direct afternoon sun burns the leaves. Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal. Deep shade produces smaller leaves with fewer fenestrations.
Water: Moderate. Likes consistent moisture but not soggy soil. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings.
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Amend with compost or coco peat. Does not tolerate heavy clay.
Space: Allow 1.5-2m per plant for ground planting. When grown on a support, provide a sturdy structure; mature Monstera gets heavy.
Containment: Monstera spreads via runners and aerial roots. In landscape beds, periodic trimming keeps it within bounds. Without maintenance, it will climb trees and spread into neighboring areas.
Size & Pricing
| Size | Description | Approx. Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 1-2 leaves, starter pot | ₱200 - ₱400 |
| Medium | 4-6 leaves, 1-2 ft | ₱500 - ₱1,000 |
| Large | 6+ leaves, 2-3 ft, developing fenestrations | ₱1,000 - ₱1,800 |
| Established | Full fenestrations, 3-4 ft | ₱1,800 - ₱3,000 |
Variegated forms (Thai Constellation, Albo) are significantly more expensive and generally not used in landscape-scale planting.
Care Tips
- Provide a moss pole, trellis, or tree trunk for climbing; supported plants produce larger, more fenestrated leaves
- Prune runners and wayward growth to maintain shape
- Wipe leaves occasionally to remove dust (improves appearance and photosynthesis)
- Fertilize monthly during wet season with balanced fertilizer
- Watch for mealybugs on new growth and leaf undersides
- Large leaf drop is normal; remove fallen leaves to keep beds tidy
