Gardening Houseplants Types of Houseplants

How to Grow and Care for Swiss Cheese Plant

The Swiss cheese plant (Monstera adansonii) gets its common name from its large, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes as the plant ages (in a process called fenestration). This makes the leaves resemble Swiss cheese. Native to Central and South America, the Swiss cheese plant is a tropical perennial that's typically grown as an indoor plant.

Monstera Adansonii on a nightstand

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Like its cousin Monstera deliciosa (also sometimes referred to as the Swiss cheese plant), Monstera adansonii has a fast growth rate and a vining habit. Although the Swiss cheese plant can reach mature heights of 10 to 13 feet tall when grown outside, it will tend to remain at a more manageable size (between 3 and 8 feet tall) when grown in a container indoors. As houseplants, Swiss cheese plants normally have an average growth rate of one to two feet per year in optimal conditions with indirect light. When cultivated as a houseplant, Swiss cheese plants are typically grown from young nursery plants and can be potted at any time.

It's important to note that all parts of Monstera plants are toxic to pets, so be careful when growing them indoors.

Common Name Swiss cheese plant, Swiss cheese vine, five holes plant, cheese plant
Botanical Name Monstera adansonii
Family Araceae
Plant Type Perennial
Mature Size 10–13 ft. tall (outdoors), 3–8 ft. tall (indoors), 1–3 ft. wide
Sun Exposure Partial
Soil Type Moist, well-drained
Soil pH Acidic, neutral
Bloom Time Spring (does not bloom indoors)
Flower Color White
Hardiness Zones 10–12 (USDA)
Native Area Central America, South America
Toxicity Toxic to pets

Swiss Cheese Plant Care

  • Provide well-draining soil for your cheese plant.
  • Water your cheese plant regularly; let the soil dry out and them moisten thoroughly.
  • Add a stake or moss pole to the center of the pot to give your Swiss cheese plant a structure to climb on
  • Fertilize your cheese plant with a balanced houseplant fertilizer, after it is well-established.
  • Prune your cheese plant lightly and regularly as needed.
closeup of monstera adansonii leaves
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
closeup of monstera adansonii
The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Light

Monstera adansonii needs bright but indirect light to grow. The foliage can burn if it's exposed to too much direct sun. If direct sunlight is unavoidable, limit its exposure to just two or three hours of morning sun.

Soil

Swiss cheese plants grow best in peat-based potting mix, which will help to trap moisture in the soil without causing it to become waterlogged. For strong growth, aim for a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.

Water

Water your Swiss cheese plant when the top inch of soil is dry. Soil should be be kept moist, but not soaked. A well-draining terracotta container will help to regulate moisture.

Temperature and Humidity

Swiss cheese plant thrives in high humidity (above 50%) and warm temperatures of 60°F to 85°F. A warm, well-lit bathroom (free of drafts) is a good spot for this plant. If you need to increase humidity, add a pebble tray or use a humidifier in its space.

Fertilizer

A balanced fertilizer made for houseplants with an N-P-K ration of 5-2-3 should be applied monthly during the growing season (May to September). However, wait until the plant is well established (four to six months) after potting it, as potting mix typically already has slow-release fertilizer in it, and the sensitive roots need time to settle after the stress of being moved.

Staking and Support

Swiss cheese plants are vigorous climbers, with aerial roots growing downward from the stem, which brace against the ground or any available support. In the wild, it will use these roots to push itself up onto an adjoining tree or woody vine. Providing stake support is crucial to keep it from escaping too far from its container: the most straightforward method is to insert a wooden, metal or plastic stake in the center of the pot.

Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Adansonii) Care Guide

 The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Cara Cormack

Types of Swiss Cheese Plant

There are several species that bear the name of the Swiss cheese plant, including:

  • Monstera deliciosa: This species features leaves that are larger than those of Monstera adansonii.
  • Monstera borsigiana: This is a smaller and faster-growing form of Monstera deliciosa, with the most popular variety being the Monstera albo.
  • Monstera obliqua: This is a rare species that looks similar to Monstera adansonii, but its leaves are thinner with more holes. 
  • Monstera dubia: The Monstera dubia cultivar has beautiful variegated leaves.
  • Monstera siltepecana: This cultivar also known as 'El Salvador' has lovely lance-shaped leaves with silvery variegation.
  • Monstera standleayana: Also known as Monstera standleyana albo, or 'Albo Variegata', this plant has dramatic coloring on its long, slender, dark green and creamy white variegated leaves.
  • Monstera pinnatipartita: This variety is fast growing and has thick, textured leaves. As the leaves mature and grow larger, they also develop stunning fenestration.

Pruning

The Swiss cheese plant is a climber, so it might need to be pruned if it begins to outgrow your space. The best time to prune a Swiss cheese plant is in spring (you can propagate anything you cut). Use sterile pruning shears to cut back stems by no more than 25 percent. Cut just the stem right above a leaf node so it stays in place. Remove any dead or damaged leaves as needed.

Propagating Swiss Cheese Plant

The easiest method to propagate a Swiss cheese plant is by stem cuttings. Not only is this an inexpensive way to acquire new plants, but it allows you to put any stems you remove while pruning to good use. The best time to propagate is in the spring. Here's how:

  1. Trim off a 4- to 6-inch piece of stem, cutting just after a leaf node (the node stays intact). Remove any leaves on the bottom third to half of the cutting.
  2. Apply a rooting hormone to the cut end.
  3. Plant the cutting in moistened soilless potting mix in a small container with drainage holes. Place it in a warm spot with bright, indirect light.
  4. Continue to keep the growing medium lightly moist. You should have well-formed roots in a few months, after which you can transfer the cutting to a larger pot.

Potting and Repotting Swiss Cheese Plant

Best Kind of Pot

Any container with drainage holes will do for a Swiss cheese plant. These plants look especially nice in hanging baskets. When potting a nursery plant, select a container that's just slightly larger than the plant's root ball. Situate it at the same depth as it was in its nursery container, using a peat-based potting mix.

When to Repot

Plan to repot your Swiss cheese plant every two years in a slightly larger container with fresh potting mix. You will know it's time to repot if roots start to poke through the drainage holes, or start to poke up through the soil line. If soils dries out quickly, this may also be a sign that it needs repotting. The best time for potting and repotting is in the spring.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

The Swiss cheese plant might have to contend with a variety of common houseplant pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, scale, and whitefly. Luckily, these pests are rarely fatal and can be treated with a nontoxic insecticide or neem oil. Additionally, keep an eye out for common diseases, such as root rot, rust, powdery mildew, and blight.

Common Problems With Swiss Cheese Plant

When grown in the conditions it likes, the Swiss cheese plant typically doesn't have any serious problems. However, if you can't meet its environmental needs indoors, it is prone to some common issues.

Leaves Turning Yellow

Yellowing of the leaves is commonly the result of overwatering. Make sure your plant is never sitting in soggy soil, and allow it to slightly dry out between waterings.

Leaves Wrinkled or Curling

If the leaves of your Swiss cheese plant are curled or wrinkled, this may be a sign of the soil being too dry or underwatering. Make sure you have well-draining potting soil and water thoroughly when the top one-two inches of soil becomes dry; water until water begins to run out of the drainage holes.

Leaves Turning Black

Black marks on the leaves can be a sign of leaf burn from direct sunlight. Watch your plant throughout the day to make sure direct sun isn't hitting it for very long. Especially make sure to protect it from strong afternoon sun.

Leaves Drooping

This can be a sign of either over or underwatering. Water when top two inches of soil is dry, and water thoroughly until soil is moist and water begins to run out the drainage holes of the container.

Leaves Falling Off or Not Putting on Size

If your Swiss cheese plant's leaves start to drop off, or are not putting on size at a normal rate, this may be a sign of too little light exposure. This plant likes bright but indirect sunlight. If indirect light is not an option, then bright morning sunlight is preferable to bright afternoon sunlight.

Leaves Not Splitting

The fenestration (splitting) habit of monstera is what gives it the distinctive look loved by growers. The cause of your monstera's leaves not splitting is too little light. Try increasing the light exposure slowly and gradually, to make not to harm the plant with too much bright light all at once.

Swiss Cheese Plant vs. Monstera: Is There a Difference?

It's common with a plant that has many cultivars for the names to become somewhat confused in usage. When people say "monstera" they usually mean Monstera deliciosa. However, some people also refer to Monstera deliciosa as the Swiss cheese plant, even though the Swiss cheese plant is generally accepted to be the common name for the Monstera adansonii. There are a number of attractive types of monstera to grow at home.

FAQ
  • Do Swiss cheese plants need to climb?

    This climbing plant is just as happy to trail its leaves from a hanging container, so depending on your space and preference, it can be a climbing or hanging houseplant.

  • Do Swiss cheese plants need a lot of light?

    Swiss cheese plants grow best in indirect light conditions, so it should be offered bright or extensive sunlight exposure.

  • How do you know if your Monstera is thirsty?

    To know if a monstera is thirsty, look to see if its leaves are limp or curling inwards, and stick your finger in the soil to see if it's dry. If the top inch layer of the potting soil is dry, the plant needs water.

  • How do I make my Swiss cheese plant bushier?

    One easy way to add fullness to your monstera is to plant more than one vine in the same pot; if growing from cuttings, make sure your cuttings have nodes and axillary buds in addition to leaves.

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  1. Swiss Cheese Plant. ASPCA.

  2. Swiss Cheese Plant. ASPCA.