Monstera deliciosa, the Swiss cheese plant or split-leaf philodendron is a species of flowering plant native to tropical forests of southern Mexico, south to Panama. It has been introduced to many tropical areas, and has become a mildly invasive species in Hawaii, Seychelles, Ascension Island and the Society Islands. It's highly sought after for its large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves that develop natural splits and holes as they mature, a process known as "fenestration." This feature not only gives the plant its distinctive appearance but also helps it survive in its natural habitat by allowing light and rain to reach the lower leaves.