Randy Chandler
The Swiss cheese plant, also known as the Monstera deliciosa, is a low-maintenance houseplant that is easy to grow. It gets its name from its large, heart-shaped leaves, which develop holes as the plant matures, resembling Swiss cheese. Native to the jungle floors of South America, the Swiss cheese plant is a fast-growing vine that can reach impressive heights in the wild, but can also be grown indoors with the right care. With their distinctive leaves and adaptability, these plants make a beautiful addition to any home or office.
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What You'll Learn
Swiss cheese plants are easy to grow and care for
Swiss cheese plants grow best in bright, indirect light or partial shade light. They should be kept in temperatures between 60°F to 85°F and watered every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. They grow well in peat-based potting mix, which helps to trap moisture in the soil without causing waterlogging. For strong growth, aim for a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.
Swiss cheese plants are fast-growing vines that can reach up to 9 feet tall indoors and up to 70 feet tall in ideal conditions in the wild. They can be trained to grow up a moss pole or trellis, but they also look great when left on their own to grow long vines. If you give them a stake or trellis to grow upward, you will enjoy larger leaves with unique holes.
Pruning is important for Swiss cheese plants to maintain their shape and encourage fuller, bushier growth. Remove unwanted stems, leaves, or branches using clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors. You can also propagate Swiss cheese plants easily through stem cuttings, air layering, or seeds. Simply take a healthy stem cutting with at least one node and two leaves, and place it in a glass of water until roots develop, which can take up to three weeks. Then, transfer the cutting to a pot with fresh potting soil.
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They require bright, indirect light
Swiss cheese plants, or Monstera, are native to the jungle floors of South America, where their perforated leaves allow light to reach their lower shoots. These plants require bright, indirect light to grow. They can be placed in a bright room, but they should not be exposed to direct sunlight for more than two to three hours, and preferably in the morning. An east-facing window is a good location for a Swiss cheese plant, as it will receive bright light without being exposed to direct sun.
If the new leaves on your Swiss cheese plant are not splitting, this is a sign that your plant is not getting enough light. In low light, growth may slow down, and the plant might become leggy as it stretches for light. If the plant is placed in a very bright location, the leaves will unfurl beautifully. However, too much direct sunlight can cause sun scorch, resulting in brown, crispy leaves.
The temperature of the room is also important for the health of the plant. Swiss cheese plants prefer temperatures between 60°F and 85°F (or 64°F to 81°F according to another source). If the temperature drops below 64°F, the plant's growth will slow, and prolonged exposure to temperatures below 54°F may kill the plant.
Swiss cheese plants are relatively easy to care for and are generally pest- and disease-free. They are tolerant of low light levels and can be placed in partial shade. However, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight, strong winds, or extreme temperature fluctuations.
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Well-draining soil and moderate watering are essential
Swiss cheese plants are easy to grow and care for. They are forgiving when it comes to watering and are generally pest- and disease-free. They can live for years in the right conditions. Well-draining soil and moderate watering are essential for growing a healthy Swiss cheese plant.
Well-draining soil is vital for the health of your Swiss cheese plant. The plant is susceptible to root rot if the soil remains overly wet. To prevent this, ensure your plant pot has a drain hole. A well-draining terracotta container will help regulate moisture. Use a peat-based potting mix to aid in moisture retention without causing waterlogging. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. The soil should be kept moist but not soaked.
If you notice signs of root rot, such as yellowing older leaves, it is recommended to repot the plant and inspect its roots. If the roots are cream-coloured and plump, repot into a larger pot and place it closer to a window.
Moderate watering is key to maintaining a healthy Swiss cheese plant. Water your plant regularly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Watering can be done as infrequently as once every one to two weeks. Ensure you remove any excess water from the saucer below the pot to prevent waterlogging.
In addition to well-draining soil and moderate watering, provide your Swiss cheese plant with bright, indirect light and moderate temperatures for optimal growth.
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Propagate using stem cuttings or air layering
Swiss cheese plants are easy to propagate using stem cuttings or air layering. Here's how to do it:
Stem cuttings
- Using a sharp pruning shear or knife, cut off a piece of stem with at least one leaf and one node (the small brown bump on the stem where new growth occurs).
- Remove the lower leaves: the first leaf near the base of the cutting.
- You can choose to root the cutting in water. Leave it for about two to three weeks, then transfer it to a pot with rich potting soil. Alternatively, you can plant the node directly in the soil. You can use rooting hormone if you like, but it isn't necessary. Water it well, allowing it to drain.
- Place the cutting in a bright, sunless windowsill and change the water every few days to keep it fresh. Lukewarm water is best.
- Be patient for roots to develop, which may take up to three weeks. Once the first root reaches 10cm in length, you can place it back into the mother plant's soil or a fresh pot.
Air layering
- Wrap damp moss around the stem at a small aerial root and leaf axil, holding it in place with string.
- Enclose this section in a clear plastic bag, tied off at the top, adding a few small air vents.
- Within a few months, new roots should begin to develop.
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Pruning is important to control growth and shape the plant
Swiss cheese plants are fast-growing, low-maintenance houseplants known for their large, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes as the plant matures, resembling Swiss cheese. This process is known as "fenestration", which allows light to reach the lower leaves in their native jungle floor habitat in Central and South America.
You can propagate the vines you prune to create new plants. To propagate, cut a vine at the base, following it until you reach a bare spot, then cut just after a leaf node. Remove the first leaf near the base of the cutting, then plant the node in soil or water. You can also wrap damp moss around the stem at an aerial root and leaf axil, holding it in place with string and enclosing it in a clear bag with a few small air vents. Within a few months, new roots should develop.
In addition to pruning, there are other ways to control the growth and shape the plant. Swiss cheese plants grow best in bright, indirect light or partial shade. If the plant isn't getting enough light, new leaves may not unfurl properly and may have brown edges. If the plant is in low light, growth may slow, and the plant may become leggy. Swiss cheese plants also benefit from higher humidity, and they can be placed outdoors in warm weather. However, they should be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions to prevent shock, and they should be protected from direct sunlight, strong winds, and extreme temperature fluctuations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Swiss cheese plant is considered an easy-care plant species. It is a low-maintenance houseplant that is very forgiving and can live for years in the right conditions.
Swiss cheese plants grow best in bright, indirect light or partial shade light. They are tolerant of low light levels but can become leggy.
Water your Swiss cheese plant every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. The soil should be kept moist but not soaked.
Pruning a Swiss cheese plant involves removing unwanted stems, leaves, or branches to shape the plant and encourage fuller, bushier growth. Use clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to make precise cuts just above a leaf node.
