Patrick Oconnell
Swiss cheese plants are easy to grow and will reward you with tons of beautiful, large, heart-shaped leaves. They are tropical plants that require rich, nutrient-dense soil that holds moisture but doesn't get soggy. They grow best in peat-based potting mix, which will help to trap moisture in the soil without causing it to become waterlogged. Swiss cheese plants like to climb, so they will appreciate a stake, trellis, or moss pole to grab onto as they grow. They need to be repotted every year when the plant is young to encourage growth and freshen the soil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Potting mix | Peat-based, with added peat moss |
| Soil pH | 5.5-7 |
| Soil moisture | Moist, but not soaked |
| Soil nutrition | Nutrient-dense |
| Soil type | Loamy |
| Pot size | A few inches wider than the root ball |
| Pot depth | Fairly deep |
| Drainage holes | Yes |
| Support | Moss pole, trellis, or stake |
| Light | Bright, but indirect |
| Humidity | Above 50% |
| Temperature | 60°F to 85°F |
| Repotting frequency | Every year when young, then every few years |
| Fertilizer | Balanced houseplant fertilizer, N-P-K 5-2-3 |
| Pruning | Light and regular |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right pot and soil
Swiss cheese plants are fast-growing tropical plants that require rich, nutrient-dense soil that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged. The best soil for these plants is a peat-based potting mix, which helps to trap moisture in the soil. You can use a standard good-quality potting soil with the addition of some peat moss, or a peat-free 'monstera' or 'house plant' labelled potting mix. Aim for a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.
When it comes to choosing a pot, opt for one with plenty of drainage holes to prevent the roots from sitting in water. The pot should be fairly deep and a few inches wider than the root ball of the plant. As Swiss cheese plants like to climb, you may want to provide a stake, trellis, or moss pole for support. You can place the stake or moss pole in the centre of the pot and tie the plant to it until it starts climbing on its own. Make sure the pot is slightly bigger than the previous one, especially if the plant is young—you can increase the pot size annually until you reach the desired size.
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Support structures
Swiss cheese plants are vigorous climbers, with aerial roots that grow downward from the stem. In the wild, they use these roots to climb up trees or woody vines. Therefore, 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 centre of the pot. You can also use a moss-covered stake or pole, which you can purchase or make yourself. The moss pole should be misted regularly. You can also use a trellis or something else the plant can grab onto as it grows.
When repotting a very mature and tall Swiss cheese plant, you will need a second pair of hands to help support the upper regions during the potting process. Set the base of the plant into the container so the original soil line on the plant is a touch below where the new line will be. You can then fill in around the base roots and any aerial roots that reach into the soil. Use plant ties to attach the stem to the stake until it starts grabbing on and climbing itself.
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Watering and feeding
Watering your Swiss cheese plant correctly is crucial to its health. The frequency of watering depends on the size of the pot and whether the plant is receiving direct sunlight. For example, a Swiss cheese plant in a 5" pot that is not receiving direct sunlight should be watered with 0.5 cups of water every nine days. If your plant is in a larger pot, you can adjust the amount of water accordingly.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before thoroughly watering your plant again. The soil should be kept moist but not soaked. Well-drained soil is essential to prevent overwatering and root issues. You can improve the drainage of your soil by using a peat-based potting mix, which will help trap moisture without becoming waterlogged. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil can also improve drainage.
It is important to note that overwatering can lead to root rot and other issues. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves and wilting. If you notice these symptoms, allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again and adjust your watering schedule.
During the growing season, from spring to summer, you may need to increase your watering frequency. However, be cautious as this is also the time when fungus gnats are most active, and they are attracted to wet soil.
Regarding feeding, a fresh potting mix typically contains all the nutrients your Swiss cheese plant needs for about a year. Therefore, fertiliser is usually not necessary if you refresh the soil annually. However, if you wish to promote foliage growth, you can feed your plant once every two weeks with a diluted all-rounder synthetic mix. During the growing season, you can also apply a balanced ,
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Repotting
To begin the repotting process, choose a new pot that is a few inches wider than the root ball of your plant, with plenty of drainage holes. A standard good-quality potting soil is suitable, but for Swiss cheese plants, it's best to use a rich mix of compost and peat to help with aeration and drainage. Fill the bottom third of the new pot with the soil mixture.
Next, carefully remove the plant from its old pot. Loosen the roots slightly before placing them into the new pot. Set the base of the plant into the new container so that the original soil line sits slightly below the new line. If your plant has a moss pole or stake, place this in the centre of the pot and use plant ties to attach the stem if necessary. Finally, fill in around the base roots and any aerial roots with the new soil mixture, firming it up around the stake. Water the plant deeply right after repotting.
If you notice that your Swiss cheese plant has started to wilt or curl a few days after repotting, this may be a sign that the root ball was disturbed too much during the process. In this case, refrain from watering the plant and allow the soil to dry out. Keep the plant in a warm, bright location, but avoid direct sunlight. With proper care, your Swiss cheese plant should recover within a few weeks.
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Pest control
Swiss cheese plants are susceptible to common houseplant pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects, thrips, aphids, whiteflies, and fungus gnats. These pests can cause a variety of issues, from sucking sap to leaving sticky residues and causing leaf discoloration. Here are some detailed tips for pest control:
Prevention:
- Quarantine new plants to prevent the spread of pests.
- Maintain optimal light and humidity levels to keep your plant healthy and reduce stress.
- Avoid overwatering, as moist conditions attract pests like fungus gnats and fruit flies. Allow the topsoil to dry before watering again.
- Ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.
- Regularly inspect your plant for early signs of pests.
Identification and Treatment:
- Identify pests by webbing, bumps, and sticky masses on leaves.
- Spider mites and scale insects thrive in low humidity, so increase humidity to combat them.
- Neem oil, insecticidal soap, and alcohol solutions are effective against mealybugs, aphids, and thrips.
- Use yellow sticky traps to catch adult flies and gnats.
- Introduce beneficial predators such as ladybugs and parasitic nematodes to prey on pests.
- For scale insects, consider manual removal with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or by lifting them with tape.
Biological and Cultural Controls:
- Ladybugs prey on aphids, while nematodes target fungus gnat larvae.
- Alter the environment to make it less pest-friendly, such as adjusting light and humidity levels.
Synthetic Insecticides:
- As a last resort, use synthetic insecticides like imidacloprid and cypermethrin to combat severe infestations.
- Always read the label and follow instructions carefully to avoid collateral damage and potential risks to pets, children, and adults.
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Frequently asked questions
Repotting is recommended every year when the plant is young to encourage growth and freshen the soil. You can go up in container size until you reach the largest pot you wish to use. Once it's as large as you want it to be, you can get away with repotting once every few years.
Swiss cheese plants like to climb, so your plant will appreciate a moss pole, trellis, or something else it can grab onto as it grows. Choose a pot that is deep enough to accommodate a thick stake and has plenty of drainage holes.
Swiss cheese plants require rich, nutrient-dense soil that holds moisture yet doesn't remain soggy. A standard good-quality potting soil is fine, with the addition of some peat moss. The soil pH should be between 5.5 and 7.
