Shade tolerance as "Monstera deliciosa" and a number of other members of the family Araceae, such as members of the genus "Philodendron", initially grow "away" from light; this is a dramatic example of sciophilous growth, which helps them locate a tree trunk, which they then climb to regions of brighter light. The upper shoots and leaves of such a Philodendron grow as typical light-loving, "photophilic" plants once they break out into full sunshine. In forests where rainfall is plentiful and water is not the limiting factor to growth, shade tolerance is one of the most important factors characterizing tree species. However, different
Monstera deliciosa seeds fall to the ground, then the seedlings crawl (negative phototropism) until they meet a tree on which to attach. The many adjacent roots thus allow the plant to anchor against its new support and reach the canopy light (although it rarely grows in full sun and prefers a light dimmed by the foliage). Wild plants can also be found in North America (Florida), Asia (Malaysia, India), Australia and the western Mediterranean (Portugal, Morocco, Madeira). The plant requires a lot of space and a rich and loose soil (ideally garden soil and compost in equal parts). If it grows in