monstera

American  

[mon-ster-uh] / ˈmɒn stər ə /

noun

1. any of various tropical American climbing plants belonging to the genus Monstera, of the arum family, especially M. deliciosa, having split or perforated leaves and often grown as a houseplant.

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monstera British  

/ mɒnˈstɪərə /

noun

1. any plant of the tropical climbing genus Monstera, some species of which are grown as greenhouse or pot plants for their unusual leathery perforated leaves: family Araceae. M. deliciosa is the Swiss cheese plant

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Etymology

Origin of monstera

< New Latin (1763), apparently irregular derivative of Latin mōnstrum monster; see -a ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

monstera

At the height of summer some plants, like a monstera, can be watered two or three times a week.

From BBC ● Jan. 14, 2026

A husky lies on the clean wood floor, a thriving monstera plant is perched in the corner, and snow falls lightly against the large panel windows.

From Slate ● Sep. 2, 2023

Inside the structure, dozens of rows of plants — monstera albos, variegated alocasias and anthuriums — enjoy the warm, humid air that surrounds them.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 10, 2023

From bushy eucalyptus fronds to bold and beautiful monstera leaves, greenery is more than just filler.

From Seattle Times ● May 1, 2023

Ms. Elzer, 55, while showing off the fledgling fiddle leaf fig and monstera plants that had just arrived, echoed her husband’s concerns.

From New York Times ● Feb. 22, 2023