Plant guide
Monstera
Monstera deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa is considered toxic to cats. Chewing it can cause mouth pain, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Swelling in the throat can affect breathing.
What this guide covers: This guide covers Monstera deliciosa only. A shared common name or similar appearance does not establish that another plant has the same assessment.
Photo:
Photo details
Monstera deliciosa2.jpg
By Raul654
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
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Photo:
Photo details
Monstera deliciosa2.jpg
By Raul654
License: CC BY-SA 3.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 3.0 license.
Monstera
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Keep away from cats. We do not recommend this plant for a home where cats could reach it.
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Look for Monstera deliciosa and check the selected variety. Listings and availability can change.
Plant identity
- Scientific name
- Monstera deliciosa
- Scope
- Species
- Family
- Not recorded
- Also known as
- No reviewed aliases available
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How to grow this plant
Container growing guidance for Monstera deliciosa.
- Light
- Medium indirect light or Bright indirect light
Provide medium to bright indirect light, avoiding harsh direct sun. Inadequate light can contribute to leaves developing fewer holes; leaf shape alone does not identify the cause.
- Watering
- Let the mix partly dry
When roughly the upper quarter to third of the mix has dried, water thoroughly and let excess drain.
- Temperature
- Growing range: 60–85°F / 16–29°C
Keep the plant away from cold drafts.
- Humidity
- Higher humidity
Benefits from high humidity.
- Potting
- Use a well-drained potting mix and provide sturdy support for climbing growth.
- Through the year
- Prune or repot in spring when necessary. If moving outdoors for summer, introduce the plant gradually to brighter conditions to avoid sunburn.
Growing-guide sources
- monstera deliciosa - Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗NC State Extension · Accessed 2026-11-01
Care guidance for the named taxon; indoor recommendations take precedence over outdoor hardiness information.
- Monstera deliciosa ↗University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension · Accessed 2026-11-01
Indoor growing guidance for the named taxon; outdoor hardiness is not used as an indoor growing range.
Growing advice reviewed 2026-11-01. Plant safety is assessed separately.
Reviewed safety information
- Toxic principle
- Insoluble calcium oxalates
- Reported signs
- Mouth pain or irritation; Drooling; Vomiting; Difficulty swallowing; Breathing difficulty from throat swelling
- Severity
- Usually causes irritation or stomach upset
Missing information is unknown. It should not be interpreted as an absence of risk.
Safe alternatives
Photo:
Photo details
Goeppertia burle-marxii 'Ice Blue' foliage and inflorescence.jpg
By KATHERINE WAGNER-REISS
License: CC BY-SA 4.0
Resized and converted to WebP for display; botanical details unchanged.
This displayed image is shared under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Calathea
Goeppertia spp.
Medium indirect light
Growing range: 65–75°F
This guide covers Goeppertia species commonly sold as calatheas. It does not cover every plant sold as a prayer plant.
For decorative foliage, consider a Goeppertia covered by our calathea guide. It offers patterned leaves rather than Monstera’s climbing habit and split leaves.
Sources & review
- Swiss Cheese Plant ↗ASPCA Animal Poison Control · Accessed
- Houseplants and Ornamentals Toxic to Animals — Insoluble Oxalate-Containing Plants ↗Merck Veterinary Manual · Accessed
Safety last reviewed .