Flower profile
Swiss cheese plant
Monstera deliciosa
Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) is a vine in the Araceae family, introduced in the lower 48 states.
Swiss cheese plant is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states.
*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.
On our lists for: Hawaii
Quick look
Monstera deliciosa, the Swiss cheese plant or split-leaf philodendron, is a species of flowering plant. The common name "Swiss cheese plant" is also used for the related species from the same genus, Monstera adansonii. The common name "split-leaf philodendron" is also used for the species Philodendron bipinnatifidum.
- It belongs to the Araceae family. iNaturalist
- USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a vine with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
- USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 1 states. USDA PLANTS
- iNaturalist has 973 research-grade sightings of it in Hawaii, ranking #46 among the 118 flowers on our Hawaii list. iNaturalist
When does it bloom?
Conservation status
- Federal (U.S. ESA)
- Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
- NatureServe global
- GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
- Hawaii
- Not listed Not on Hawaii threatened and endangered plants (HAR 13-107; the state list follows the federal list), DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife. NatureServe has no Hawaii rank for it. HAR 13-107
- Rare elsewhere
- No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.
Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.
Can you eat it?
NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: low). Poisonous parts: bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, stems. Symptoms they list: “Intense burning of mouth, tongue, and throat; nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, drooling, and diarrhea may also occur; contact with cell sap may cause skin irritation. Only if eaten in large quantities.” They also note: “Only ripe fruits are edible and are used to flavor drinks and ice cream or are eaten fresh. Some people are allergic.” NC State Extension
ASPCA's entry “Ceriman” (Monstera deliciosa) lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty… ASPCA
🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.
Where does it grow?
USDA PLANTS records swiss cheese plant in 1 states.
recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded
See the full list of states
Florida.
Names, range and relatives
Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Lower 48 states: Introduced; Puerto Rico: Introduced; U.S. Virgin Islands: Introduced.
Other scientific names (synonyms in USDA PLANTS): Philodendron pertusum.
More from the Araceae family (7 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Jack-in-the-pulpit, Eastern skunk cabbage, Western skunk cabbage, Green dragon, Taro, Golden pothos, Elephant ear.
More Hawaii flowers
Sources
- USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile MODE.
- iNaturalist, Monstera deliciosa: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
- Wikipedia, Monstera deliciosa (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Hawaii: Hawaii threatened and endangered plants (HAR 13-107; the state list follows the federal list), DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
- Hawaii: Hawaii noxious weed list (HAR 4-68).
- USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
- NatureServe Explorer, Monstera deliciosa (global and state ranks).
- Edibility and toxicity: NC State Extension; ASPCA.
- Photo: Lexi Amico via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.