Patrick Oconnell
The Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera deliciosa, is a climbing plant that is native to the tropical forests of southern Mexico and South America. In their natural habitat, these plants use aerial roots to climb up trees or woody vines. To replicate this in a home setting, you can use a stake, trellis, or moss pole to provide support for the plant to climb. This will encourage vertical growth and help to keep the leaves clean and free of debris. You can also use plant ties to gently guide the stems in the desired direction and secure them to the support. With the right care, Swiss cheese plants can grow into spectacular, architectural focal points with large, glossy leaves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect light or partial shade light |
| Temperature | 64–81 °F (18–25 °C) |
| Humidity | Moderate |
| Watering | Every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry out between waterings |
| Soil | Peat-based potting mix |
| Support | Stake, trellis, or moss pole |
| Pests | Mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects |
| Pruning | Light and regular |
| Fertilizer | Balanced houseplant fertilizer |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings or air layering |
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What You'll Learn
Use a stake or trellis to encourage vertical growth
Swiss cheese plants are vigorous climbers, and providing stake support is crucial to keep them from spreading out too far. Using a stake or trellis to encourage vertical growth comes with several benefits. Firstly, it will help prevent the plant from taking over too much space in your home or garden. Vertical growth is often more aesthetically pleasing than horizontal growth. Secondly, growing the plant on a support will help to keep the leaves clean and free of debris. When left to grow on the ground, the leaves of the Swiss cheese plant are susceptible to getting dirty or covered in mulch and other organic matter.
To get started, simply insert a wooden, metal or plastic stake in the centre of the pot. You can also use a trellis or a moss-covered pole to encourage climbing. If you opt for a moss pole, the plant will eventually root into it if the moss is kept moist. This will also provide support to keep these top-heavy plants upright. You can also use plant ties to attach the stem to the stake until it starts climbing on its own. If you want to control the direction of new growth, gently guide the stems as they grow. You can also gently bend the stem in the desired direction and tie it loosely in place with plant ties.
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Add a moss pole to the centre of the pot
The Swiss cheese plant is a natural climber, so it is important to provide it with a structure to climb on. One way to do this is by adding a moss pole to the centre of the pot. Moss poles are not just a luxury but a necessity for the healthy growth of the plant. They improve air circulation, make use of aerial roots, and put the plant in a more natural position.
A moss pole is an upright pole covered in sphagnum moss that is staked directly into the pot with the plant. The moss on the outside of the pole mimics the spongy texture of the rainforest tree bark, which the plant uses to climb in the wild. The aerial roots of the Swiss cheese plant penetrate the moss and attach to it, making it easy for the plant to climb. The moss also contains water and micronutrients, providing the plant with moisture and food.
To install a moss pole, first, place the pole in a shallow container with water and let it soak until it is thoroughly moistened. Then, stick the sturdy metal supports at the bottom of the moistened moss pole deep into the soil in the centre of the pot. Keep the pole upright and nestle it slightly behind the plant. Press the soil gently at the base to stabilize the pole.
Once the moss pole is installed, you can start to attach the stems of the plant to it. Bring the stems up against the moistened moss and secure them gently but firmly with a piece of soft plant tie, yarn, or cotton string. If the stem is long, you may need to tie it in several places to keep it secure. Over time, the plant will attach itself to the moss pole using its aerial roots and will continue to grow upward.
It is important to note that the moss pole should be kept somewhat damp but not soaking wet. You can mist the moss occasionally to keep the plant interested in its new support and encourage the roots to continue growing into it.
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Train the plant by gently wrapping the stem around a support
Swiss cheese plants are vigorous climbers. In the wild, they use their aerial roots to climb up adjoining trees or woody vines. You can train your Swiss cheese plant to climb by gently wrapping the stem around a support. Here are some tips to help you with this process:
First, choose the right support for your plant. A stake, trellis, or moss pole can provide the perfect structure for your Swiss cheese plant to climb. A stake will provide support, but if you want your plant to grow up the pole, a moss pole is a better option. The plant will be able to root into the moss and grow bigger leaves upwards. You can also add moss to a regular pole to create a similar effect.
Once you have your support in place, it's time to start training your plant. Gently wrap the stem of your Swiss cheese plant around the support. Be careful not to damage the stem. You can also use plant ties or clips to secure the stem to the support until it starts climbing on its own.
As your plant grows, continue to guide it in the desired direction. Gently bend the stem and tie it loosely in place with plant ties. With a little time and patience, your Swiss cheese plant will climb and thrive!
It's important to note that Swiss cheese plants can also be left to hang and trail like vines. However, if you want to encourage vertical growth and larger leaves, providing a support structure for your plant to climb is the best option.
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Keep the moss in the pole somewhat damp to encourage growth
The Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera deliciosa, is a beautiful and unique climbing plant native to Central and South America. It is a fast-growing plant that can quickly climb up a support and provide instant green coverage.
To encourage the Swiss cheese plant to climb, it is important to provide it with the right support structure. This can be in the form of a stake, trellis, or moss pole placed in the centre of the pot. The moss pole is a popular choice as it provides the plant with nutrients and supports larger leaf growth.
When using a moss pole, it is crucial to keep the moss somewhat damp but not soaking wet. This will encourage the plant to root into the pole and climb upwards. The moisture in the moss provides the necessary conditions for the plant to grow and obtain nutrients.
To ensure the moss stays damp, regular watering is essential. However, it is important to be mindful of overwatering, as this can lead to issues such as root rot. Allowing the soil to dry out between waterings can help maintain a balanced moisture level.
Additionally, the use of plant ties or clips can be beneficial in securing the plant to the support structure. This guidance helps direct the growth of the Swiss cheese plant, ensuring it climbs in the desired direction. With proper care and support, the Swiss cheese plant will thrive and showcase its distinctive large, heart-shaped leaves with natural holes.
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Secure the stem to the support with plant ties
When securing the stem of your Swiss cheese plant to a support with plant ties, it is important to be as gentle as possible to avoid damaging the stem. You can use plant ties to secure the stem to a support such as a trellis or wire. You can also use plant Velcro or small plant clips.
Start by wrapping the stem around the support carefully. Once the stem is wrapped around the support, it will start to grow up the support. You can guide it to grow in your desired direction by gently bending the stem and loosely tying it in place with plant ties. As the plant grows, continue to train it until it reaches your desired height.
If you are using a moss pole, you can encourage the plant to attach itself by getting the nodes (where the aerial roots emerge) as close to the moss as possible. Keep the moss on the pole slightly damp, but not soaking wet. The plant will then attach itself to the moss pole over time.
If you are using a stake, you will need to use plant ties to attach the stem to the stake until the plant starts climbing on its own.
Swiss cheese plants are vigorous climbers that will climb any available support. They produce aerial roots that grow downward from the stem and attach to the ground or other surfaces. In the wild, these roots help the plant climb up adjoining trees or woody vines.
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Frequently asked questions
Swiss cheese plants are vigorous climbers that can be trained to climb up a support structure. You can use a stake, trellis, or moss pole as a support structure. Place the structure in the centre of the pot and gently guide the stems around it as they grow. You can also use plant ties to secure the stems to the support.
Growing your Swiss cheese plant on a support will encourage it to grow vertically, preventing it from taking up too much space. It can also help keep the leaves clean and free of debris.
You can use a wooden, metal, or plastic stake, or a trellis or moss pole. If you use a moss pole, the plant will grow into the pole and get nutrients from the moss, resulting in bigger leaves.
You can use plant ties or clips to secure the stems to the pole. If you are using a moss pole, place the nodes (where the aerial roots come out) as close to the moss as possible. Keep the moss damp, and the plant will attach itself to the pole over time.
