Swiss Cheese Plant: A Guide to Care and Grow Monstera deliciosa
The Swiss cheese plant, also known as Monstera deliciosa, is a striking, low-maintenance houseplant famous for its big, heart-shaped leaves. As the plant ages, these leaves acquire holes called fenestration, giving them the appearance of Swiss cheese. Monstera adansonii grows in regions with bright, indirect sunlight and pleasant temperatures and does not require frequent watering.
This plant, native to tropical Central America, is a member of the Araceae family and has a unique fenestrated leaf.
The Monstera’s huge leaves give your house an incredible personality and a touch of tropical flair. It is frequently grown with the help of a moss pole to support its bigger growth. Selecting the ideal location for the Swiss Cheese Plant’s home is important. It prefers not to be planted in an area with too much sunlight because it is an autumn plant.
Swiss Cheese Plant Care Indoor
- Common name: Swiss Cheese Plant
- Scientific Name: Monstera deliciosa
- Family: Araceae
- Soil type: Moist, Well-drained
- Native Area: Central America, South America
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
Types of Swiss Cheese Plant
The Swiss cheese plant is a common name for many species, including:
Monstera obliqua: An uncommon species with thinner, more pierced leaves that look like Monstera adansonii.
Monstera borsigiana: A faster-growing and more compact form of Monstera deliciosa, commonly known as Monstera albo.
Monstera deliciosa: Known by many as Split Leaf Philodendron, Monstera deliciosa bears edible fruit and, in contrast to Monstera adansonii, has larger split leaves.
Monstera standleayana: Also referred to as Monstera standleyana albo or ‘Albo Variegata,’ this plant offers eye-catching colour patterns on its long, slim leaves that blend creamy white and dark green variance.
Monstera siltepecana: Known as ‘El Salvador,’ it has lance-shaped leaves with silvery variegation.
Swiss Cheese Plant Common Problems
When grown in suitable conditions, Monstera adansonii usually has no major issues. But if its environmental requirements are not satisfied, it may be susceptible to these typical problems:
Black Leaves
Usually, the result of direct sunlight is black markings that can indicate leaf burn. Throughout the day, carefully check your plant to ensure it is not burnt by direct sunlight, particularly from the strong afternoon sun.
Yellow Leaves
Swiss Cheese plant yellow leaves are the result of overwatering. Usually, overwatering causes yellow leaves. Ensure your plant never sits in wet soil again, and give it a little air-drying time between watering.
Toxicity:
All Monstera plants are poisonous, so it’s better to keep them out of the reach of kids and pets. When putting your Swiss cheese plant at home, take precautions. Swallowing difficulties, drooling too much, mouth swelling, vomiting, and discomfort can all result from ingestion.
Few holes in the leaves
There will always be fewer holes in younger leaves than in older ones. When a plant is young, its leaves usually lack holes, but as its ages, these will show. Fresh, bright green leaves will appear when they do. With growth, they will become darker.
Pests
This plant may have to face off with common pests of houseplants, including mealybugs, thrips, aphids, spider mites, and scales. Fortunately, harmless chemicals, pesticides, or neem oil can treat these pests, which rarely threaten human health.
Swiss Cheese Plant Care
It’s important to understand and care about the requirements of your Swiss cheese plant, especially Monstera adansonii. This tropical indoor plant with its unusually pierced leaves needs an ideal combination of light, water, and nutrients for best growth.
Water
This plant enjoys a nice soak in water when its soil nearly dries out. Water it regularly when it is in its active growing season, which is during the warmer months. In the winter, water is less often used, allowing the soil to dry out entirely between treatments.
Because the leaves on this Monstera are thinner and retain less moisture than those on Monstera deliciosa, it requires more water.
Light
For growth, indoor Swiss cheese plant requires bright, indirect light. It may burn if the vegetation is exposed to too much direct sunlight. If it is strictly required to place it in direct sunlight, then limit it to two or three hours in the morning.
Temperature
All year long, keep the temperature between 65°F and 85°F. Keep the plant safe from extreme temperature changes and cold drafts. Maintain high humidity levels – ideally, between 60 and 80%. To make the atmosphere humid, mist the leaves regularly or use a humidifier.
Soil
The ideal potting mix for Swiss cheese plants contains peat, which helps maintain moisture in the soil without making it soggy. The pH of the soil should be between 5.5 and 7 for healthy development.
Plant in a potting mix that is rich in organic matter, well-draining, and hydrated. Peat moss, perlite, and orchid bark combined are a good combination. When your Swiss Monstera outgrows its container, which it usually does every 1-2 years in the spring, repot it.
Fertilizer
During the growing season (May to September), a balanced fertilizer designed for houseplants with an N-P-K ratio of 5-2-3 should be given once a month. But wait until the plant has grown nicely before potting it since weak roots require time to adjust to the stress of relocation, and the potting mix usually contains slow-release fertilizer already.
Propagation
The easiest way Swiss Cheese plant propagation is by cutting stems during spring. With this low-cost plant-growing technique, you may save broken stems and use them well.
Support
The aerial roots of Swiss cheese plants grow downward from the stem, supporting against the earth or any other available support. These plants are strong climbers. Stake support is essential to prevent it from escaping too far from its container. The simplest way to do this is to place a wooden, metal, or plastic stake in the middle of the pot.
Conclusion
Swiss cheese plants, also known as Monstera deliciosa, are famous houseplants that have become popular for their unique look and relatively low maintenance, especially because their leaves are filled with holes. Give them well-draining soil and bright, indirect sunlight to continue growing. To avoid root rot, water deeply, letting the soil dry out a little between treatment. Use a pebble tray or spray the leaves to keep the humidity high.
To promote bushier growth, cut regularly and get rid of any yellowing or broken leaves. Look for common pests like scale insects and spider mites, and treat them right once you see them. Swiss cheese plants may provide an amazing element to any indoor environment if given the right care, including enough light, water, and periodic trimming.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the difference between the Swiss cheese plant and Monstera?
The leaves of the Monstera plant are more triangular, with deep splits or perforations, but the leaves of the Swiss cheese plant are more oval, with holes resembling Swiss cheese.
- How to make Swiss Cheese Plant Bushy?
You can promote bushier growth by routinely trimming floppy stems and giving your plant enough support. It can grow more compactly with the help of a stake or trellis. Make sure your Monstera receives adequate light; otherwise, it may become skinny.
How Should My Monstera Leaves Be Cleaned?
Use a wet sponge to remove collected dust from the Monstera gently leaves. Combine water with neem oil or mild dish soap for a light cleaning solution for tough areas. Spray leaf shine should never be used since it could close pores and prevent photosynthesis and air circulation.
