Frederic Melton
The Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera deliciosa, is a tropical houseplant native to environments with a canopy of large trees, bright indirect sunlight, and high humidity. It is a fast-growing, low-maintenance plant with large, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes over time, resembling Swiss cheese. While it is a relatively easy plant to care for, one common concern among owners is the phenomenon of sweating in Swiss cheese plants. This is caused by the plant's natural processes of guttation and transpiration, which can lead to the release of a watery sap fluid known as xylem sap.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Swiss Cheese Plant sweat? | No, it does not sweat. It releases xylem sap, a watery "sap" fluid, through guttation and transpiration. |
| Light | Bright, indirect light or partial shade light. |
| Sunlight | Can tolerate some direct sunlight but only a few hours of morning sun. |
| Temperature | Between 64–81 °F (17.8–27.2 °C). |
| Humidity | Thrives in 50–70% relative humidity. |
| Watering | Water until it runs out the bottom, ensuring the pot has drainage holes. Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out before watering again. |
| Fertilizer | Any balanced houseplant liquid fertilizer. |
| Pot size | Go up one pot size (about 2 inches wider in diameter) when the plant isn't growing vigorously or the soil starts to pull away from the sides of the pot. |
| Repotting | Repot every two years in a slightly larger container with fresh potting mix. |
| Soil | Peat-based potting mix to trap moisture without waterlogging. |
| Pet-friendly | No, it is toxic if ingested due to the presence of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. |
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What You'll Learn
Swiss cheese plants don't actually sweat
Swiss cheese plants, or Monsteras, are humidity aficionados, thriving in a humidity range of 50-70%. They are tropical plants, so they crave humidity levels of around 60%. However, despite what some people think, these plants don't sweat. Instead, they release xylem sap, a watery "sap" fluid, through two natural processes: guttation and transpiration.
Guttation occurs when there is an excess of water in the plant, and it releases the water through special structures called hydathodes. This process is more common in plants with smaller leaves, as they have a higher surface area to volume ratio, which makes them more susceptible to water loss. While guttation in Swiss cheese plants is less common due to their larger leaves, it can still occur if the plant is overwatered.
Transpiration, on the other hand, is the process by which plants release water vapour through their leaves. All plants transpire to some degree, but the rate of transpiration varies depending on leaf size, stomata count, and plant species. Swiss cheese plants have larger leaves, which means they experience faster transpiration rates.
Although it may appear concerning, seeing your Swiss cheese plant "sweating" is a natural occurrence. In fact, it's a sign of a healthy plant that is efficiently regulating its water content. The fluid on the leaves is not sweat but rather xylem sap, and wiping it away is unnecessary and may even be detrimental to the plant.
It's important to note that overwatering can lead to other issues, such as root rot and fungus gnats. Therefore, it is recommended to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings and ensure the plant has well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes.
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The plant releases xylem sap through guttation and transpiration
Swiss cheese plants, or Monsteras, are native to tropical climates, where they grow beneath a canopy of large trees. This means that they prefer bright, indirect sunlight and a humidity level of around 50-70%. They are easy to grow and fast growers, but they are sensitive to overwatering, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
Despite what some people think, Swiss cheese plants do not sweat. Instead, they release xylem sap as a watery "sap" fluid through two natural processes: guttation and transpiration. Guttation occurs when a plant has excess water, which it releases through special leaf pores called hydathodes. This process leaves behind a white, crusty residue on the leaves, which is made up of leftover potassium, sugars, and other inorganic and organic compounds. Transpiration, on the other hand, is the process by which plants release water vapour through their leaves. This occurs more quickly in plants with bigger leaves, like the Swiss cheese plant, and in plants with more stomata or pores.
If you notice that your Swiss cheese plant has fluid on its leaves, it is most likely due to overwatering. To prevent this, allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings and ensure that your plant has well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes.
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Swiss cheese plants are prone to overwatering
Swiss cheese plants, or Monsteras, are native to tropical rainforests, where they thrive in the humidity and dappled light of the forest floor. As indoor plants, they are prone to overwatering, which can cause a range of issues.
Firstly, it's important to understand that Swiss cheese plants do not actually sweat when you see water on their leaves. This is a process called guttation, where the plant releases xylem sap through its leaves. Guttation is a natural process, but if it occurs frequently, it may be a sign that your plant is being overwatered.
Overwatering can cause a range of issues for Swiss cheese plants, from leaf discolouration to root rot. Yellowing leaves are a common sign of overwatering, as it indicates that the plant is struggling to absorb all the water in the soil and its roots are at risk of rotting. Leaf discolouration can also be caused by too much direct sunlight, so it's important to ensure your plant is receiving bright, indirect light rather than direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Swiss cheese plants are fast-growing and typically quite resilient, but they are susceptible to root rot if they are overwatered. Root rot occurs when the roots of the plant are constantly soaked and unable to dry out, leading to fungal growth and the eventual decay of the roots. This can be fatal to the plant, so it's important to allow the soil to dry out between waterings and ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes.
To avoid overwatering your Swiss cheese plant, feel the top few inches of soil before watering. If the soil is still moist, wait until it dries out before watering again. Water the plant thoroughly, allowing the water to run out of the drainage holes, and then empty any excess water from the saucer or tray under the pot to prevent the roots from sitting in water.
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They are part of the Monstera family
Swiss cheese plants are part of the Monstera family. The scientific name for the Swiss cheese plant is Monstera deliciosa, while the plant is also known as Monstera adansonii. The Swiss cheese plant gets its name from its large, heart-shaped leaves, which, as the plant ages, become covered with holes that resemble Swiss cheese. The oval-shaped holes or fenestrations dapple the leaves of the plant. The fenestrations of the Monstera deliciosa create openings on the edges of the leaves, while the Monstera adansonii leaves do not have fenestrations along the edges.
The Swiss cheese plant is a tropical plant that grows vigorously, with aerial roots growing downward from the stem. In the wild, it uses these roots to push itself up against a tree or woody vine. The plant is a fast grower and does not mind being a little root-bound. However, if the plant is not growing vigorously, it may be a sign that it needs to be repotted. The Swiss cheese plant is easy to grow and loves to climb. It is a popular houseplant that adds interest to a space.
The Swiss cheese plant has specific environmental needs, including temperature, humidity, and light requirements. The plant prefers temperatures between 64-81 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of around 50-70%. It grows best in bright, indirect light or partial shade. If the plant does not receive enough light, the new leaves may not split, and the leaves may have brown edges. Direct sunlight can cause leaf burn, so the plant should be protected from strong afternoon sun.
The Swiss cheese plant typically does not have serious problems when grown in the conditions it likes. However, overwatering can be a common issue, leading to yellowing leaves and root rot. It is important to allow the soil to dry out between waterings and to ensure the plant has well-draining soil. The Swiss cheese plant is also toxic to pets if ingested, so it should be kept out of the reach of cats and dogs.
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Swiss cheese plants are toxic to pets
Swiss cheese plants, or Monsteras, are toxic to pets. They contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which are harmful to animals if ingested. This means that if you have pets, you should keep them away from your Swiss cheese plant. Cats and dogs that chew on the plant may experience irritation in their mouth, on their lips and tongue, and could start drooling, vomiting, and have difficulty swallowing. If you suspect that your pet has nibbled on your Swiss cheese plant, call your vet immediately.
Swiss cheese plants are fast-growing and low-maintenance plants that are part of the Monstera family. They are characterized by their large, heart-shaped leaves, which develop holes over time, resembling Swiss cheese. These holes, or fenestrations, are more common along the edges of the leaves in Monstera deliciosa plants, while the Monstera adansonii variety has holes that do not reach the edges.
Swiss cheese plants are native to tropical environments and thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. They can tolerate a few hours of morning sun but should be protected from strong afternoon sun to prevent leaf burn. These plants prefer a humidity level of around 50-70%, which mimics their natural habitat. Maintaining the correct humidity level is crucial, as dry air can cause brown tips on the leaves, while too much moisture invites fungal growth.
In terms of watering, it is essential not to overwater Swiss cheese plants. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, and ensure the plant is never sitting in soggy soil. Overwatering can lead to issues such as fungus gnats and yellowing leaves. While the Swiss cheese plant doesn't require fertilizer, you can use a balanced houseplant liquid fertilizer according to the package directions if desired.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Swiss cheese plants do not sweat. Instead, they release xylem sap through two processes, guttation and transpiration.
Swiss cheese plants are fast growers with large leaves, which means they experience transpiration at a faster rate. If your plant has fluid on its leaves, it may be because it is being overwatered.
If you see your Swiss cheese plant "sweating", it is best to leave it alone. This process is perfectly natural.
Guttation refers to the release of a white, crusty-looking residue comprised of potassium, sugars, and other inorganic and organic compounds. This can be a sign of fertilizer burn, which occurs when too much nitrogen has been added to the plant's fertilizer.
