Monstera deliciosa (Split-leaf-Philodendron)

Is it a tree fern in the front?

Yes, it's the very common Australian tree fern.

I like it. Wish I could grow it.

It's a very tough, hardy tree fern. It tolerates cold, wind, sun (except extreme heat and sun). It grows out in the desert; however, only in shade with tons of water. I think it will tolerate a temp down to 20ºF (-6.6ºC) for a short period with damage to the fronds.

We usually do not have it so cold for years then bang and the temperature drops to -8 to -10 for few days and all my exotics are gone :-(

Yes, -8 to -10ºC., Australian tree fern would be history. It prefers lows of not below 30ºF (-1ºC) on average.

:-(

You may want to try one in a protected spot in your garden. I know in the December 1990 freeze which hit the San Francisco Bay Area some Australian tree ferns (in inland areas) survived slightly below 18ºF (-8ºC), of course, the fronds were fried. It was a long-lasting freeze and the worst freeze to hit the area ever recorded.

The problem is we are in the Mexico all winter and I cannot react when the weather turns ugly. I think I will enjoy the plants in Mexico and concentrate on what I can grow here successfully. Although, I have to admit, I like to have some "exotics" around. Do you still have it hot down in San Diego?

It's probably a good idea not to have such tender plant when you're not around in winter. Sometimes the tender plants do need protection.

Monstera look great in soucal. They do well in the bay area...but getting them to climb is a very long wait. One I planted in '98 has taken that long to go up and over a 6' fence. Fruits some years,has big leaves..just slooooow.
I never get tired of seeing pics of them in soucal. I know I saw a photo of one that seemed to totally cover a huge stucco wall of an estate...must have been several tons of Monstera.

The one I have in my yard was originally from a friend in Hayward. It develops very good fruit. I brought it with me when I moved to San Diego. It grew very quickly in Fremont and even in Hayward.

I know for them to grow fast they need a lot of water, fertilizer and and sun.

Mine are in a good amount of shade. I might dig up one of the climbing stems and move it. Most of it is like a big groundcover- the intent was for it to climb Podocarpus. But they wont- Its like the smooth trunk repels them. My old rough wood fence on the other hand is smothered by roots.

Yes, they love being on a fence. Everywhere I've planted mine it's grown on a fence.