Bushra Griffith
The Swiss cheese plant (Monstera adansonii) is a tropical ornamental plant with large, heart-shaped leaves that, as the plant ages, become covered in holes that resemble Swiss cheese. The Swiss cheese plant is easy to care for and can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings, or suckers, with cuttings being the most common method. To propagate a Swiss cheese plant, you can grow cuttings in water, in soil, or with the air layering method. Using water is the easiest method with the least steps. Air layering is effective but can be complicated and time-consuming. Treating the cutting with root hormone and planting it in potting medium is a quick and effective method.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Swiss cheese plant |
| Scientific name | Monstera adansonii |
| Propagation methods | Stem cuttings, seeds, suckers |
| Medium | Water, soil, air layering |
| Soil type | Light and airy, 50% potting soil, 25% orchid bark, 25% perlite |
| Light | Indirect, bright |
| Watering | Regular, well-drained |
| Temperature | Warm |
| Humidity | High |
| Support | Strong structure such as a stake, moss pole |
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What You'll Learn
Using water
Propagating a Swiss cheese plant in water is a simple process that only requires a few steps. First, you need to take a cutting from an existing plant. Choose a healthy stem that is at least 4-6 inches long and cut it just below a node, which is the point where leaves emerge. Make sure there is at least one leaf attached to the cutting. If there are more than two leaves, remove the lowest one to give the stem's nodes more room in the water.
Once you have your cutting, place it in a jar of clean, room-temperature water. You can also add some rooting hormone to the water to speed up the process and promote root growth. Place the jar in a warm spot with bright, indirect light and wait for roots to form. This can take anywhere from two weeks to two months, so be patient!
Once the roots have formed, you can transplant your new baby plant into a pot with drainage holes. Fill the pot halfway with well-draining soil and place your plant in it. Then, fill the rest of the pot with soil and give your new plant a good soak.
Keep your newly propagated plant well-watered and look out for any potential issues, such as yellow or brown leaves, which can be caused by too much sun exposure or not enough humidity. With proper care, your Swiss cheese plant cutting will thrive and grow into a beautiful new plant.
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Air layering
Next, wrap moist sphagnum moss around the stem. Take a handful of sphagnum moss and dampen it with water. Gently wrap it around the cut in the stem and the leaf node. Secure the moss with plastic wrap or a plastic bag. Pull the sides together at the top and gently wrap it with twine to keep the plastic loosely secure around the cutting. Keep the moss moist. Spray the cutting inside the bag with water every few days to keep it moist.
In about two months, you will see thick roots forming. At this point, you can cut the stem about 2 inches (5 cm) below the roots and pot the new plant. Remove the plastic wrap and moss from the stem, node, and roots. Cut the stem with sharp scissors or cutting shears below the roots. Then, fill a pot with drainage holes about halfway full with well-draining soil. Place the rooted cutting inside and fill the rest of the pot with soil. Finish by giving your new Swiss cheese plant a nice soaking of water.
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Rooting cuttings in soil
Rooting Swiss cheese plant cuttings directly in the soil is a quick method that bypasses the wait time of using water or air layering. However, the propagation still takes time to root. Here is a step-by-step guide:
First, prepare your potting mixture. Swiss cheese plants are epiphytes, meaning they grow on other plants in their natural habitat. Their roots are used to receiving a lot of airflow, so the potting mixture should be light and airy. A mixture that is 50% potting soil, 25% orchid bark, and 25% perlite is ideal. You can also add some rice hulls and worm castings to reduce the quantity of perlite if you prefer. Moisten this medium and place it into a small 4-inch pot with a drainage hole.
Next, take your cutting. You can get a Swiss cheese plant cutting from your own plant, from a friend, or from an online seller. Identify a healthy leaf node, which is the bumpy bit on the stem near where a leaf emerges. Make your cut just below the node, and remove the first leaf near the base of the cutting.
Before placing the cutting into the soil, dip the cut end into rooting hormone powder to help stimulate root formation. Then, place the node of the cutting about 1 inch into the soil. Put the pot in bright, indirect light and keep the soil moist.
After some time, new roots should begin to develop, and you will have successfully propagated a Swiss cheese plant! Remember that Swiss cheese plants grow best in warm conditions with high humidity and moist, well-drained soil. They are also top-heavy plants and require support, so consider providing a stake or pole for the plant to climb on.
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Stem cuttings
Swiss cheese plants are tropical vines known for their large, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes as the plant ages, giving them their distinctive appearance. They are easy to propagate from stem cuttings, which root indoors all year round. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to propagate Swiss cheese plants using stem cuttings:
Step 1: Prepare the Parent Plant and Cuttings
Water the parent plant deeply a day before gathering the cuttings. Choose a healthy stem that is at least 6 inches long, with lots of growing leaves and a branching node. Using a sharp knife or gardening shears, cut the stem just below the node, ensuring there is at least one leaf attached. The ideal cutting length is between 4 and 6 inches.
Step 2: Prepare the Rooting Container
Before gathering the cuttings, prepare a rooting container so that they can be potted immediately after being removed from the parent plant. Fill a 4-inch plastic pot with a mixture of half coarse sand and half milled peat or coir. Saturate the mixture with water and allow it to drain for 20 to 30 minutes before potting the cutting.
Step 3: Root the Cuttings
There are two main methods for rooting the cuttings: water propagation and soil propagation. Water propagation is the easiest method and involves placing the cutting in a jar of clean, room-temperature water. Cover the opening of the jar with plastic wrap. Roots should start to form within two weeks, and you can expect thick, white roots in about two months. Alternatively, you can propagate the cutting directly in soil. Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone powder to stimulate root formation, then place it in a pot with moist, well-draining soil.
Step 4: Care for the New Plant
Once the cutting has developed roots, transplant it into a permanent pot with organically rich, fast-draining potting soil. Continue to keep the growing medium lightly moist, and provide indirect light and regular watering. Check for new leaf growth, which is a sign of a healthy plant. Remember to repot your Swiss cheese plant every two years in a slightly larger container with fresh potting mix.
Troubleshooting
Keep an eye out for common issues such as leaf discolouration, mould growth, and unsuccessful rooting. Leaf discolouration is usually caused by too much sun exposure or insufficient humidity. Mould growth may be due to excessive humidity or inadequate air circulation. To prevent mould, ensure your cuttings are kept in a well-ventilated area. If your cuttings rot before rooting, it could be due to excess moisture or inadequate drainage. Start with a healthy cutting and the right soil conditions to reduce the risk of rotting.
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Light and airy potting mixture
Swiss cheese plants are epiphytes, meaning they grow on the trunks and branches of trees in their natural habitat. As a result, their roots are used to receiving a lot of airflow. Therefore, a light and airy potting mixture is ideal for propagating Swiss cheese plants.
A mixture of 50% potting soil, 25% orchid bark, and 25% perlite is recommended. Orchid bark and perlite help improve airflow to the roots. You can also add rice hulls and worm castings to the mixture, but this is optional. FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil is a good option for the potting soil.
The potting mixture should be moist but not soggy. If you live in a dry area, you can tent some plastic over the container or place it in a plastic bag to increase humidity and retain moisture. However, if using a plastic cover, open it once a day to increase airflow and prevent fungi and mold growth. Remove the plastic once the plant is a few inches tall.
When propagating Swiss cheese plants, it is also important to provide bright, indirect light and keep the growing medium lightly moist. Swiss cheese plants grow best in warm conditions with high humidity and well-drained soil. They can be grown outdoors in a suitably sheltered, warm spot above USDA plant hardiness zone 10.
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Frequently asked questions
The Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera Adansonii, can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings, or suckers, with cuttings being the most common method. To propagate a Swiss cheese plant, take stem cuttings with a section of the stem remaining, by cutting just below a healthy leaf node. Remove the first leaf near the base of the cutting and plant the node within the soil.
Swiss cheese plants are epiphytes, meaning they grow in the air on the trunks and branches of trees in their natural habitat. Their roots are used to receiving a lot of airflow. To recreate this, create a light and airy potting mixture that is 50% potting soil, 25% orchid bark, and 25% perlite.
Swiss cheese plants prefer indirect light, regular watering, and slightly acidic, well-drained soil. They require a strong structure, such as a stake or moss pole, to climb on. They grow best in warm conditions with high humidity and do not tolerate frost.
