Monstera Deliciosa $25

Monstera is a tropical plant from the Araceae family. Its name, as one might guess, comes from the Latin meaning “abnormal” because of its odd-looking, perforated leaves that are often punched through with holes.

Monstera, Monstera Deliciosa: “Swiss Cheese Plant”

We’ve noticed a trend: From Mother-in-Law’s Tongue to Spikenard to Monstera (aka “Swiss Cheese Plant”), houseplants don’t have the most appealing names. But that hasn’t stopped a surge of popularity for this tropical plant: Chances are you’ve spotted its graphic leaves on everything from throw pillows to wallpaper. Here’s a look at the care and keeping of this statement-making plant.

Above: A bold addition to the bedside: a Monstera leaf. Photograph by Erin Boyle.

Monstera is a tropical plant from the Araceae family. Its name, as one might guess, comes from the Latin meaning “abnormal” because of its odd-looking, perforated leaves that are often punched through with holes.

Above: Monstera are climbers. It’s possible to buy monstera seeds, like these, online, though Monstera grows best outdoors in zones 10 and 11. Photograph courtesy of CenteroftheWebb.

In the wilds of the jungle, Monstera can grow to be enormous: dozens of feet tall with leaves that spread to nearly two feet wide.

The best-known variety is Monstera Deliciosa, or Mexican Breadfruit, in reference to its corncob-shaped fruit (which is said to taste like a combination of pineapple, banana, and mango). It’s not all delicious, however: The rest of the plant is poisonous and eating the fruit before it’s ripe can cause mouth irritation.