The European monstera collector community is growing rapidly - from groups on Reddit and Instagram to specialized greenhouses in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Germany. However, most people know only one monstera: the one with large, fenestrated leaves found in living rooms. Meanwhile, the genus Monstera contains more than 50 species, and many of them can be grown from seed in European conditions. Europe's climate is so diverse that the same species grows outdoors as a garden plant in Seville, while in Stockholm it requires a grow light and humidifier. This article is a guide for enthusiasts: which monstera species are worth adding to your collection, where in Europe monstera can grow outdoors, and how to adapt cultivation to the climate zone - from Mediterranean to Scandinavian.
Monstera species worth growing from seed
The genus Monstera, part of the arum family (Araceae), is a group of climbing plants native to Central and South America. From a grower's perspective, it is important to note that not all species are equally suitable for growing from seed - some rarely produce fruit, while others are virtually unavailable commercially. Here are the ones worth knowing.
Monstera deliciosa - a classic for beginners
The most popular and easiest monstera to grow from seed. The fenestrated leaves reach 40-60 cm in diameter when mature. The seeds are relatively large (5-10 mm), cream-brown, and germinate well at 25-28°C. The first holes in the leaves usually appear in the second or third year of cultivation. Seed availability in Europe: good. Ideal for anyone growing monstera from seed for the first time.
Monstera adansonii - "Swiss Cheese Vine"
A smaller, more climbing relative of deliciosa. The leaves are distinctly smaller (15-25 cm), but proportionally much more fenestrated - sometimes even 50% of the leaf surface consists of cutouts. Adansonii grows much faster than deliciosa and is better suited to small apartments. The seeds germinate faster (usually within 2-4 weeks). However, it requires higher humidity (60%+) and tolerates shadier locations better. An excellent second monstera for your collection.
Monstera dubia - an extraordinary metamorphosis
A fascinating species with a completely different appearance in its juvenile and adult leaves. Young leaves are small, silvery green, with white stripes, and lie flat against the substrate like tiles. Adult forms are large and fenestrated, classic for the genus. More difficult to grow from seed, with slower germination, but the result is spectacular. Recommended for experienced enthusiasts.
Monstera siltepecana — silver dust
A smaller monstera with silvery dust on its juvenile leaves. Mature leaves develop characteristic holes. It works perfectly as a trailing plant on shelves or on moss poles. From seeds: moderately available, with germination similar to adansonii.
Monstera epipremnoides — large and dramatic
A giant among monsteras — mature leaves can be over 80 cm long, with large, striking holes. From seeds: more difficult to find, but fast-growing under the right conditions (high humidity, warmth, and support in the form of a moss pole).
Monstera obliqua — a collector's rarity
The rarest species in cultivation. Tiny leaves (10–15 cm) made up of 70–90% holes — almost a “leaf skeleton.” Prices for mature plants reach thousands of euros. From seeds: practically unavailable, and most offers are scams (sellers offer adansonii as obliqua). It is worth knowing it exists — but in reality it is almost impossible to obtain.
Practical conclusion: start with deliciosa, add adansonii, and when you feel confident — try dubia or siltepecana.
Three paths for different types of collectors:
- Minimalist: Monstera deliciosa — a classic that makes the greatest visual impression and offers the best chance of success.
- Shelf and wall aesthetic: a combination of adansonii + siltepecana — both climbing, smaller, and perfect for hanging arrangements.
- Rare plant collector: M. dubia + M. epipremnoides — more difficult, more expensive, but offering completely different collector's value.
You can find Monstera deliciosa seeds in our offer — packed in moist substrate to preserve their viability until sowing: Monstera deliciosa seeds.
Can monstera grow outdoors in Europe? Climate map
For a Polish person, monstera is exclusively a houseplant. Meanwhile, in southern Europe it is a garden plant, planted in parks, hotels, and private gardens. It all depends on the climate zone.
Southern Europe (Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Malta)
YES - monstera grows here in the ground like a typical garden plant.
- USDA zone 10+ - the minimum temperature never falls below 4–5°C
- Specific locations: Costa del Sol, Sicily, Sardinia, Madeira, Algarve, Cyprus, Crete, Malta, Apulia, Calabria, Andalusia
- Position: partial shade or shade - full sun scorches the leaves
- Protection: only during exceptionally cold nights - horticultural fleece is sufficient for 1–2 nights
Growth in the ground is much faster than in a pot - mature specimens reach full size in 3–5 years instead of 8–10 years indoors.
Western Europe (the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, northern France)
Oceanic climate - mild winters, but too cool for outdoor cultivation year-round.
- USDA zones 8–9 - mild winters, but summers are too cool for a tropical plant
- Conservatories / winter gardens - a very popular solution in the UK and the Netherlands
- Seasonal patio: from May to September - the mild, humid summer promotes growth
- Exception: Cornwall, Plymouth, southern Ireland - microclimates closer to those of the south
Air humidity in this zone is ideal for monstera for most of the year - a huge advantage over Central Europe.
Central Europe (Germany, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary)
Indoor cultivation only.
- USDA zones 5–7 - winters are too cold and summers too short for outdoor cultivation
- Main problem: dry air in winter - central heating reduces humidity to 25–35%, while monstera prefers 50–70%
- Heating mat - a must-have for sowing from autumn to early spring
- “Summer vacation" - from June to the end of August, monstera can be placed on a sheltered, shaded balcony
Northern Europe (Scandinavia, the Baltic countries, Finland)
The most demanding zone - cultivation exclusively under cover with additional equipment.
- USDA zones 3–6 - outdoor cultivation is completely ruled out
- LED grow lights - a necessity, not a luxury; in Stockholm, the sun shines for only 6 hours in December
- Air humidifier - humidity in Finnish homes drops to 20–25% in winter
- Supplemental lighting for 10–12 hours a day from October to the end of February
Sowing monstera - differences in European conditions
The sowing process itself is similar everywhere: soaking the seeds, a light, well-draining substrate, a temperature of 25–28°C, humidity of 80%+, and germination in 2–8 weeks. However, European conditions introduce significant regional differences. We describe the general principles - temperature thresholds, substrate recipes and using a heating mat - in the guide how to sow exotic seeds.
Sowing season:
- Southern Europe: practically all year round
- Western Europe: March–September
- Central Europe: March–June (the best period)
- Northern Europe: April–June, or all year round with grow lights
Germination temperature: in the South and West, a warm place in the home is sufficient. In Central and Northern Europe, a heating mat shortens germination time by 50–100% compared with growing without bottom heat.
Humidity: in the oceanic climate of the UK and the Netherlands, natural humidity of 60–70% promotes germination. In Central and Northern Europe, a sealed mini greenhouse and daily misting are essential in winter.
Substrate: a mixture of sphagnum moss + perlite + coconut fibre (2:1:1) works well in all climate zones. You can find a ready-made mix dedicated to monsteras here: Biovita soil for monsteras and philodendrons 8L.
Fresh monstera seeds, packed in moist substrate to preserve their viability, can be found in the Monstera deliciosa seeds section.
Monstera care in 4 European climates
Watering - opposite logic for the South and North
Southern Europe (especially in the ground): rarely but thoroughly - every 5–7 days in summer, every 14 days in winter.
Western Europe: every 7–10 days in a pot; never leave standing water under the pot.
Central Europe: every 5–7 days during the growing season, every 10–14 days in winter. Rule: the top 3–4 cm of the substrate must dry out.
Northern Europe: with grow lights and central heating, paradoxically every 5–6 days - intense light and dry air quickly remove moisture.
Fertilizing - longer season in the south, shorter in the north
Monstera requires a balanced NPK fertilizer with a complete set of micronutrients - especially iron, magnesium and manganese. Fertilization season:
- Southern Europe: March–October (8 months)
- Western Europe: April–September (6 months)
- Central Europe: March–September (7 months)
- Northern Europe: April–August (5 months)
Frequency: every 2–3 weeks during the season; do not fertilize outside it. For caring for monstera and other houseplants, a fertilizer with a complete set of micronutrients works well: Houseplant Focus 1L by Growth Technology - a professional formula developed specifically for houseplants, effective in all of Europe's climate zones.
Lighting - from shade in the south to grow lights in the north
- Southern Europe: protect it from direct sunlight - the best spot is partial shade under a tree or on the north side
- Western Europe: east- or west-facing window, even south-facing
- Central Europe: south- or east-facing window; the brightest available spot in winter
- Northern Europe: LED grow light for 10–12 hours a day from October to March - without it, the monstera becomes leggy and dies
Overwintering monstera in Europe - regional guide
Southern Europe - minimal intervention
- Do not water from November to March (unless there has been no rain for 3+ weeks)
- Watch for sudden temperature drops - if the temperature falls below 5°C at night, cover the plant with horticultural fleece
- Do not fertilize at all
Western Europe - winter garden or moving indoors
- Move the patio monstera indoors by mid-October at the latest
- In a winter garden, maintain a minimum of 10–12°C
- Water every 10–14 days; do not fertilize
Central Europe - combating dry air
- Keep away from the radiator - hot, dry air damages the plant
- Humidity 50%+ - humidifier, trays with expanded clay and water, grouping plants
- Water every 10–14 days; do not fertilize from October to March
- LED supplemental lighting recommended from November to February
Northern Europe - full equipment
- LED grow light for 10–12 hours a day from October to the end of February
- Humidifier running every day — minimum 50% humidity
- Thermometer and a constant temperature of 20–22°C — no cold drafts
- Group plants together — they create a shared microclimate
Where can I get fresh monstera seeds in Europe?
The freshness of monstera seeds determines everything - a dried-out seed is dead, regardless of its appearance. Unfortunately, most online offers do not meet the basic freshness criterion.
What to avoid: seeds from AliExpress, Wish, and Temu are almost always either Philodendron sold as monstera or seeds that died long ago. Offers of “Monstera variegata seeds" are a complete scam - variegation is not inherited and cannot be passed on through seeds.
Where to look in Europe:
- Specialized exotic seed stores - with a clear freshness guarantee policy and packaging in a moist growing medium
- European botanical collections - e.g. the Eden Project in Cornwall, Botanischer Garten Berlin
- Collector communities - r/houseplants, r/MonsteraGroup on Reddit, and groups on Facebook and Discord
- Directly from southern Europe - collectors with flowering specimens in Spain or Portugal can sometimes be the best source
Carefully selected monstera seeds, packed in a moist growing medium to maintain maximum viability, are available in our store: Monstera deliciosa seeds - mr.seed.
FAQ - Frequently asked questions about growing monstera in Europe
In which European countries can I grow monstera in the garden?
Growing outdoors year-round is possible in USDA Zone 10+: southern and eastern Spain (Andalusia, Valencia), the Algarve, southern Italy (Apulia, Calabria), Sicily, Sardinia, Madeira, Greece (Crete, Rhodes, Corfu), Cyprus, and Malta. In special microclimates in Cornwall (UK), it may also be possible seasonally.
Is Monstera adansonii easier to grow than deliciosa?
Adansonii grows faster and is more compact - ideal for small apartments. However, it requires higher humidity (60%+) and more shaded locations. For beginners, deliciosa remains the easier choice; adansonii is an excellent second monstera for a collection.
Which monstera species grows fastest from seed?
Monstera adansonii grows the fastest — under good conditions, the first fenestrated leaves appear as early as the 1st–2nd year of cultivation, much earlier than in deliciosa.
Is a grow light enough to replace sunlight in Scandinavia in winter?
Yes — modern full-spectrum LED grow lights can completely replace sunlight for monstera. The key factors are the exposure duration (10–12 hours per day) and the appropriate intensity (PPFD 150–250 µmol/m²/s at leaf level). With a good grow light, monstera in Stockholm can grow just as well as in Madrid.
Does Monstera obliqua really exist, and can it be grown from seed?
Yes, it exists, but it is an extremely rare botanical species. Most online listings for “obliqua” are actually adansonii. True obliqua has leaves that are nearly 90% holes and is practically unavailable commercially — grown from seed only in botanical gardens.
How many years does it take to grow monstera from seed in a Central European climate?
In a Polish or German apartment, the first fenestrated leaves appear in the 2nd–3rd year, fully mature leaves in the 4th–5th year, and an impressive plant with leaves 40–60 cm in diameter in the 5th–8th year. In southern Europe, this period shortens to 3–5 years, while in the north it extends to 6–10 years.
Can I send monstera seeds from one European country to another?
Within the EU, shipping houseplant seeds for personal use does not require special phytosanitary documents. Fast delivery and packing in moist substrate are important. From outside the EU (e.g. from the UK after Brexit), a phytosanitary certificate is required, and customs checks may take weeks.
Summary
Monstera is not a single plant — it is an entire genus with dozens of fascinating species, each with its own character. Europe offers a full spectrum of possibilities: from a Mediterranean garden, through a conservatory in the UK, to a Scandinavian living room with a grow light. The key is adapting the conditions to your region and chosen species — and being patient, because monstera rewards you with spectacular growth over many years.
If you want to start your collection from seeds, check out our offer: Monstera deliciosa Seeds — fresh seeds of carefully selected species, packaged to preserve maximum viability.
