Frederic Melton
Swiss cheese plants, also known as Monstera deliciosa, are easy to grow in the right conditions. They are tropical rainforest plants that grow quickly, so they need to be repotted every year when young and then every few years when more mature. The size of the pot is important because the plant will need to be repotted into a slightly larger one each time to give it enough space and nutrients to grow. The pot should have plenty of drainage holes and be deep enough to accommodate a thick stake or moss pole, which the plant can climb.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Repotting frequency | Every 1-2 years when the plant is young, then every few years |
| Pot size increase | About 10% bigger than the previous pot |
| Soil type | Well-draining, aerated, loamy, peaty, with pH between 5.5 and 7 |
| Soil moisture | Moist but not soaked |
| Watering frequency | When the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry |
| Watering amount | Water until water runs out of the drainage holes |
| Light | Bright, indirect sunlight |
| Temperature | 55-85°F |
| Humidity | Above 50% |
| Support | Moss pole, trellis, or stake |
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What You'll Learn
Repotting frequency and timing
Swiss cheese plants are known for their rapid growth, so repotting is a frequent task. When the plant is young, it is recommended to repot it every year to encourage growth and refresh the soil. You should use a slightly bigger pot each time. Once the plant reaches your desired size, you can reduce the repotting frequency to once every few years.
The optimal time for repotting is during the active growing season in the spring, specifically in early spring before new leaves occur. This is because the plant is still dormant during this time, so it won't be as shocked by the move. However, Swiss cheese plants are relatively resilient, and repotting at other times of the year won't harm the plant.
You will know it's time to repot your Swiss cheese plant when you see roots coming out of the drainage holes or circling up out of the medium and around the perimeter of the pot. Additionally, if the soil dries out quickly, it may be a sign that the roots need more space and that it's time to repot.
When repotting, choose a pot that is only slightly larger (about 10% bigger) than the previous one. If the plant has become root-bound, you can increase the pot size a bit more. It is recommended to wait a week or two after purchasing a new Swiss cheese plant before repotting to give it time to adjust to its new environment.
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Choosing the right soil
Swiss cheese plants grow best in peat-based potting mix, which will help to trap moisture in the soil without causing it to become waterlogged. For strong growth, aim for a soil pH between 5.5 and 7. You can also make your own by combining potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark to enhance drainage.
Swiss cheese plants like loamy soil with quite a bit of peat, so make sure to purchase a nice, peaty mix or just add a little extra peat moss to regular indoor potting mix. A mix designed for tropical plants or combining peat, perlite, and pine bark also works well.
It is important to use a rich, well-draining potting mix with good aeration. While it doesn't need an extremely organic mix, some organic matter in the soil can be beneficial. The goal is to provide a balanced environment that retains some moisture while allowing excess water to drain away effectively.
You should repot your Swiss cheese plant every one to two years in a slightly larger container with fresh potting mix. The best time for repotting is during the active growing season in spring. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger (about 10% bigger) than the previous one. If the plant has become root-bound, you can increase the pot size a bit more.
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Drainage and moisture
Swiss cheese plants need pots with drainage holes to prevent their roots from sitting in water. The holes should allow excess water to drain away effectively, as all Swiss cheese plant varieties are susceptible to root rot in overly damp conditions. You should water your Swiss cheese plant until water begins to run out of the drainage holes.
Swiss cheese plants like to be fairly damp, but not wet. The soil should be consistently moist but not waterlogged, and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Water your Swiss cheese plant no more than once a week, and always let the topsoil dry out completely before watering again. You should water your Swiss cheese plant when the top one to two inches of soil becomes dry.
The Swiss cheese plant thrives in high humidity (above 50%) and warm temperatures of 60°F to 85°F. A warm, well-lit bathroom (free of drafts) is a good spot for this tropical plant. If you need to increase humidity, add a pebble tray or use a humidifier in its space.
You can use a humidity tray (a shallow tray filled with water and pebbles), mist the plant occasionally, or use a room humidifier. You can also group your plants together to increase the overall humidity around them.
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Size and depth
Swiss cheese plants, or Monstera Deliciosa, are known for their large, striking foliage. They are easy to grow and care for, but their size and climbing nature mean choosing the right pot is important.
When choosing a pot for your Swiss cheese plant, it's important to consider the size and depth of the container. These plants can grow to between 3 and 8 feet long when kept as houseplants, and up to 13 feet in their native habitat. Therefore, a fairly deep pot is necessary to accommodate the plant's extensive root system and provide stability. Choose a pot that is a few inches wider than the root ball of your plant. This will allow room for the roots to grow and explore, while also preventing the plant from becoming root-bound too quickly.
The depth of the pot is particularly important if you plan to provide a support structure for your Swiss cheese plant to climb, such as a moss pole, trellis, or stake. These structures should be placed in the centre of the pot, so the depth of the container needs to be sufficient to accommodate the length of the stake or pole. A deeper pot will also help to prevent the plant from becoming top-heavy as it grows taller and develops larger leaves.
When your Swiss cheese plant is young, you should plan to repot it every year or two in a slightly larger pot to encourage growth and provide fresh soil. You can continue to increase the size of the pot until you reach the desired size for your plant. Once your plant reaches maturity, you can slow down the repotting frequency to once every few years, focusing on refreshing the top layer of soil rather than increasing the pot size.
Overall, when choosing a pot for your Swiss cheese plant, opt for a deep container that is slightly wider than the root ball. This will provide ample space for the roots to grow and ensure stability for the climbing foliage. Remember to repot your plant regularly when it is young, and don't be afraid to increase the pot size gradually over time.
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Support structures
Swiss cheese plants are climbing vines that need support structures to grow. The support structures can be in the form of a simple wooden or wire trellis, a moss pole, or a stake. The aerial roots of the plant need something to hang on to, and a moss pole—a stake or other support covered in sphagnum moss—is ideal because it gives the plant's aerial roots more to grab on to. You can loosely tie Swiss cheese plant stems to the pole when you first install it to train them to climb up.
You can purchase ready-made trellises or moss poles at hardware stores, garden centers, or online. You can also make one yourself. A moss pole is a stake or other support covered in sphagnum moss. You can make a moss pole by covering a stake with sphagnum moss and securing it with string. The stake should be made of a material that can withstand moisture, such as bamboo or plastic.
The size of the support structure will depend on the size of the plant and the pot. The pot should be able to accommodate the support structure and the plant. The support structure should be tall enough for the plant to climb and wide enough for the plant to grip.
When choosing a pot for your Swiss cheese plant, it is important to consider the size of the plant and the support structure. The pot should be slightly larger than the previous one, preferably about 10% bigger. If the plant has become root-bound, you can increase the pot size even more. The pot should also have plenty of drainage holes and be deep enough to accommodate a thick stake.
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Frequently asked questions
Repot your Swiss cheese plant every one to two years, depending on its growth rate and the root-bound condition. The optimal time for repotting is during the spring.
You will know it's time to repot your Swiss cheese plant if roots start to poke through the drainage holes or start to poke up through the soil line. If the soil dries out quickly, this may also be a sign that it needs repotting.
Choose a pot that is slightly larger (about 10% bigger) than the previous one. If the plant has become root-bound, you can increase the pot size a bit more. Swiss cheese plants need a deep pot that can accommodate a thick stake or moss pole.
Swiss cheese plants grow best in a peat-based potting mix, which will help to trap moisture in the soil without causing it to become waterlogged. You can also use a pre-made monstera or aroid mix, or make your own mix by combining potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.
When repotting your Swiss cheese plant, fill the bottom third of the pot with the soil mixture and set the stake into the centre lightly. Be careful not to disturb the root ball too much, as this can cause the plant to wilt or curl a few days after repotting.
