Houseplant Craze: Monsteras

March 22, 2022

Living collections

If you’re familiar with the current houseplant craze, you’ve probably heard of variegated monsteras. These large leaved, white streaked beauties are in demand and carry hefty price tag. When learning of our houseplant show, I remembered my former workplace, Hershey Gardens, had one of these coveted plants. I emailed my former coworker, Jody, to arrange a plant trade. It was just my luck that Hershey Gardens has been using orchids extensively in their butterfly atrium and I had plenty of orchids to offer. This past weekend I took a trip back to Hershey, Pennsylvania to pick up the Monstera.

Pennsylvania scenery along my drive. This photo is from google maps, the trees are not yet this lush and green but will be soon enough.

I was lucky to have nice weather for most of my trip. I also forgot how beautiful the Pennsylvania mountain ridges are – the drive was gorgeous! I arrived at Hershey Gardens mid-morning on Saturday and after touring the gardens, catching up over brunch, and sharing plant challenges and successes, it was time to get my monstera! Jody carefully removed a portion of her giant Monstera deliciosa ‘Cheesecake’. We placed the new cutting into a pot with a bit of soil, loaded it into the back of my car, and I was on my way back home.

The monstera is now at Cleveland Botanical Garden. It’s not yet on display for the public to enjoy, but is a great addition to our plant collection and I’m looking forward to showing it off once it’s settled into its new home.

Jody Davey, Manager of Conservatory Habitats at Hershey Gardens holding the *Monstera deliciosa* ‘Cheesecake’ cutting given to Cleveland Botanical Garden

Jody, left, getting the monstera settled into a pot for its journey to Cleveland Botanical Garden.

Sadie Smith

Glasshouse Horticulturist

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