The Swiss Cheese Plant, also known as the Monstera Plant, makes a striking addition to any room. This is a tropical plant with waxy, deep green leaves on each grape-like woody stem. As the leaf grows, holes develop behind its nickname. Native to the tropics of North and South America, Monstera can climb up to 70 feet tall and its stylish leaves can grow up to 3 feet wide. Don't worry, the potted plants in your living room won't get very big, but they may need to be pruned from time to time. That aside, monsteras are very popular houseplants because they are low-maintenance, generally low-maintenance, and resistant to pests and diseases. As such, it is perfect for beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts alike.
Alison Futelal, owner of Crimson Horticultural Rarities, a plant shop in Oakland, Calif., loves Swiss cheese as a bright-to-indirect-sun houseplant option. “This plant grows best in a peat-based soil mix that helps the roots dry out between waterings,” she added. “We also recommend planting in terracotta or raw clay containers to control moisture.”
We love monstera plants. Because it's a gorgeous and very easy-going plant. Unfortunately, you can't eat the Swiss cheese plant, but depending on where you live, you can use it to decorate the inside and outside of your home. Learn everything you need to know about this conversation-starting houseplant.
Swiss cheese plant varieties
There is a bit of confusion as to exactly which Monstera plants are which. This is where things get a little complicated. Although the plant category or genus is Monstera, several different species go by the same common name: Swiss Cheese Plant. You will mainly find Monstera deliciosa with long leaves and elongated holes (although young leaves may not have such holes). Another similar plant, Monstera epipremnoides, looks almost identical except that the outer edges of the leaves have long slits instead of holes. And Monstera adansonii has leaves with heart-shaped holes. Regardless of which species you purchase, they are all beautiful, easy-care plants with similar needs.
Photographer Basak Gulbuz Darman // Getty Images
How to care for a Swiss cheese plant
Monstera, a lush tropical plant, will love living with you if you give it the amount of warmth, water, and sunlight it needs.
temperature
Monstera deliciosa prefers moderate indoor temperatures between 60 and 85 degrees.
humidity
Monsteras prefer high humidity, but also adapt well to dry indoor conditions. If you really want to grow it, you can also increase the humidity by misting it with water from time to time, but this is not strictly necessary.
water
Water your Swiss cheese plant until the water runs out from the bottom, then wait until the top feels a few inches dry before watering again. (Make sure the pot has drainage holes; no plant likes to have wet feet.) Don't overwater. This is a common mistake with this plant. Monstera deliciosa prefers slightly dry soil. If desired, you can feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer in the summer and stop feeding during the winter when growth is less active.
sunlight
Feed lightly, but not too much. In its native environment, Swiss cheese plants grow under the canopy of large, tall tropical trees. Therefore, they prefer indirect sunlight or sunlight filtered through sheer curtains. They can tolerate some direct sunlight, but only for a few hours per day. Monstera leaves can easily burn, so avoid exposing them to direct sunlight as soon as they get used to your home. Also, if light levels are low, the characteristic leaf holes will not develop.
Monstera deliciosa can be taken outside in the summer or kept outside in warmer climates. (It is often grown as a landscape plant in warmer climates such as Florida.) Place it in a shady area to prevent the leaves from wilting. Please avoid direct sunlight at all costs. Bring them indoors before temperatures drop into the 40s.
growth
A small Swiss cheese tree has a moss-covered support fixed to a post that you can climb onto. As the seedling grows, the leaves will also grow larger. If you don't anchor the plant to a support, it will look more expansive, which is also okay. In the wild, Swiss cheese plants produce flowers and fruit, which is unusual as a houseplant.
Lucy Lambrix // Getty Images
How to grow a potted Swiss cheese plant
Fill the bottom of the pot with potting soil about 1/3 full. Place stakes in the pot so the stems can climb up. Place the roots in a container and surround them with soil. Surround the stake with soil and use plant ties to attach the stake to the stem.
How to propagate a Swiss cheese plant
There are two ways to propagate your Monstera or Swiss cheese plants: using cuttings or using air layering.
If you would like to try using stem cuttings, follow these steps.
Use sharp, clean pruning shears to remove the so-called nodes, or protruding stems from which roots emerge, as well as at least two leaves and aerial roots. Pour ground cinnamon (purchased at the grocery store) into the mother plant where the cut was made. (This helps prevent disease.) Place the cutting in a glass of water. Clean the glass every 3 to 5 days and use filtered or rainwater instead of tap water. Roots will begin to sprout after a few months. Once that happens, you can plant the plant in a pot with fresh, moist soil.
If you want to try air layering (a low-risk method of waiting until the offspring are potted on their own rather than cutting the mother plant), follow these steps:
Look for stems with multiple nodes (where roots grow). You can also use leaves growing from the stem, as long as there are short aerial roots underneath the stem. Make a cut just below the roots, about one-third the width of the stem. Wrap 1 inch of sphagnum moss around the stem. Spray the moss with water and wrap it in plastic. Secure the plastic using twist ties. Make sure the moss has moisture while the roots are developing. After a few months, when the roots emerge, cut the stem below the roots and place the young plant in a new pot with fresh soil. Pour ground cinnamon on the wood of the mother plant to prevent diseases.
Common pests of Swiss cheese plants
Fortunately, these plants are not particularly susceptible to pests. However, like any indoor houseplant, you should always be on the lookout for aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites, etc. According to the University of Wisconsin Department of Horticulture, dusting the leaves by wiping them with a damp blob can help keep pests away.
Common problems in Swiss cheese factories
brown leaves
The UWI Extension says brown or dry leaves are common and a clear sign of too low humidity. We recommend using a humidifier, placing other houseplants nearby around your Monstera, or creating a pebble tray to promote moisture.
“sweating” leaves
According to UWI, monstera leaves will “sweat” if the growing medium is too wet. Growing medium primarily refers to soil, but it can also mean that your moss support (if you're using one) is too moist. If this happens, limit watering and move the plant to a brighter area to prevent root rot and allow it to dry out.
stagnation of growth
Swiss cheese plants grow aggressively and love to spread their roots. If you notice that your plant is not doing well, but you can't pinpoint why, it probably needs a larger pot.
Swiss cheese factory safety
Keep Monstera out of reach of curious pets and children. Like many tropical houseplants, Swiss cheese plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to pets. If you have a cat or dog that likes to nibble, keep them away from this plant, as ingesting any parts of this plant can irritate the mouth, lips, and tongue, causing drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. please.
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.