Monstera deliciosa plant in the tropics and subtropics. Its ease of cultivation also makes it a very widespread plant in apartment in temperate regions. "Monstera deliciosa" and the cultivar 'Variegata' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The fruit of "Monstera deliciosa" is up to 25 cm long and 3–4 cm diameter, looking like a green ear of maize covered with hexagonal scales. As the fruit ripens, these scales or platelets fall off the fruit, releasing a strong and sweet scent. The smell has been compared to a combination of pineapples and bananas. The fruit is edible and safe
Monstera deliciosa for humans. Forcing a "M. deliciosa" to flower outside of its typical tropical habitat proves to be difficult. Specific conditions need to be met for the plant to flower. However, in its tropical and subtropical habitat, the plant flowers easily. In these areas where it grows naturally, "M. deliciosa" is considered a delicacy due to its sweet and exotic flavor. Fruits of plants of the Araceae (Arum family) often contain Raphides and Trichosclereids – needle-like structures of calcium oxalate. In "M. deliciosa," unripe fruit containing these needle-like crystalline structures can cause irritation of the mouth. The fruit first shows signs