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
Inquire About This Plant
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Monstera cost in the Philippines?
Small Monstera deliciosa starter plants run ₱300 to ₱800, established climbing specimens ₱1,500 to ₱4,000, and mature trellised specimens ₱5,000 and up. Variegated cultivars (Thai Constellation, Albo) command significantly higher prices and are sold separately.
Can Monstera be planted outdoors in the Philippines?
Yes. Monstera deliciosa thrives outdoors in Philippine lowland gardens under partial shade. It tolerates direct morning sun, but afternoon sun in open exposure scorches the leaves. Plant against a tree trunk or trellis so the aerial roots can climb.
How fast does Monstera grow?
Moderate to fast. With consistent water, rich soil, and a climbing support, a small Monstera produces a new fenestrated leaf every 4 to 8 weeks during the wet season. Maturity (large fenestrated leaves) takes 18 to 36 months.
Is Monstera pool safe?
Yes. Monstera produces no fruit drop in landscape plantings (rare flowering in PH conditions), tolerates humidity, and the roots are non-aggressive. Best as a green wall or trellis planting near the pool, not as ground cover at the deck edge.
Why isn't my Monstera fenestrating?
Two common causes: insufficient light (deep shade slows leaf maturation) or no climbing support (Monstera produces split leaves only as it climbs). Provide bright filtered light and a moss pole or trellis. Fenestration develops as the plant matures, typically after 12 to 18 months of growth.
