Randy Chandler
The Swiss cheese plant, also known as Monstera deliciosa, is a popular houseplant known for its large, heart-shaped, perforated leaves. While it is generally considered an easy plant to care for, several issues can cause it to start dying. These include overwatering or underwatering, inadequate light, pest infestations, temperature stress, and nutrient deficiencies. To revive a dying Swiss cheese plant, it is important to identify the specific issue and address it accordingly. This may involve adjusting watering habits, improving drainage, providing indirect light, treating pests, maintaining optimal temperatures, and considering fertilisation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Soil | Well-draining, with perlite or coco coir to improve aeration. |
| Drainage | The pot should not feel heavier than usual, and water should not sit on top without draining. |
| Pests | Regularly inspect for signs of infestation, such as sticky residue or tiny webs. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap. |
| Nutrients | If repotting annually, fertilizer can be skipped. Use a balanced, half-strength fertilizer during the growing season if the plant appears weak. |
| Pruning | Pruning redirects energy to healthier parts of the plant. |
| Light | Craves bright, indirect light. Move the plant closer to a window, but not too close to avoid sunburn. |
| Temperature | Keep the plant warm. |
| Drooping leaves | Could be due to underwatering or overwatering. |
| Yellowing or browning leaves | Could signal nutrient deficiencies, too much or too little light, or poor water quality. |
| Curling leaves | Could indicate the need for water or misting for extra humidity. |
| Stunted growth | Could be due to root binding, requiring a bigger pot. |
| Dormancy | Swiss cheese plants can go dormant during cooler months, causing slower growth. |
| Relocation | Relocating the plant may cause shock. |
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What You'll Learn
Drooping leaves: underwatering or overwatering
Wilting and drooping leaves on a Swiss cheese plant indicate that something is wrong. Drooping leaves can be a sign of both underwatering and overwatering.
If your plant is underwatered, you should water it and observe if it perks up. Water your Swiss cheese plant when the topsoil is dry. Stick your finger into the soil to check for moisture, and only water if the soil feels dry. You should also check the soil before watering and ensure the soil is well-draining.
If your plant is overwatered, the roots may be gasping for air in soggy soil. In this case, dump the plant out of the pot and pull out the soggy soil. Replant it in fresh soil in a pot with good drainage and resolve to only water it when it feels dry.
To prevent overwatering, water your Swiss cheese plant every 1-2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. It is better to underwater your plant than overwater it, as too much moisture can lead to root rot. Use a well-draining potting mix with chunky components (such as coarse bark) and ensure the pot has drainage holes.
If your plant is not getting enough light, it may also start to droop. Swiss cheese plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight as it can scorch their leaves. If your plant is not receiving enough light, move it to a brighter spot, but not so close that it could get sunburned.
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Curling leaves: low humidity or needs water
If your Swiss cheese plant's leaves are curling, it's likely that the plant needs water or that the humidity is too low. To address this, first check the soil to see if it's wet. If the soil feels dry, your Swiss cheese plant may be underwatered, and you should give it some water. Swiss cheese plants should be watered regularly, but it's important to avoid overwatering. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out before watering again. Make sure your pot has plenty of drainage holes to prevent water from sitting on top of the soil without draining. If your soil feels wet and your Swiss cheese plant's leaves are yellow and limp, your plant may be overwatered. In this case, remove the plant from the pot and replant it in fresh soil with good drainage.
If your Swiss cheese plant is not overwatered or underwatered, low humidity may be causing the leaves to curl. Swiss cheese plants are not fussy about humidity, but if the air is very dry, you can increase humidity by misting the leaves or using a humidifier. Placing the plant in the bathroom while you shower can also help expose it to more humidity.
In addition to checking for proper watering and humidity levels, it's important to ensure that your Swiss cheese plant is receiving enough bright, indirect light. A lack of light can cause the plant to become leggy and may prevent the leaves from developing their characteristic holes. Move your plant closer to a window, but avoid direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves. Maintaining a temperature between 64-81°F (18-27°C) will also help keep your Swiss cheese plant happy and healthy.
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Yellow leaves: too much water or not enough light
Yellow leaves on a Swiss cheese plant are a common problem and can be caused by too much water or not enough light. If the soil feels wet and the leaves are yellow, the plant is likely suffering from overwatering. In this case, remove the plant from its pot and gently pull out the soggy soil. Replant the Swiss cheese plant in fresh, well-draining soil and only water it when the soil feels dry.
On the other hand, if the soil feels dry, the yellow leaves are likely due to insufficient light. Swiss cheese plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight or partial shade. Move your plant to a brighter spot, but avoid direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves. Ensure the plant is not too close to a window, as this could cause sunburn.
To prevent overwatering, check the soil before watering and water your Swiss cheese plant when the topsoil or top two inches of soil are dry. It is better to underwater your plant than to overwater it, as too much moisture can lead to root rot. Additionally, ensure your pot has plenty of drainage holes to allow excess water to drain easily.
If your plant is not getting enough light, it may develop leggy growth with fewer leaves. Immature Swiss cheese plants will also fail to develop their distinctive holes or fenestrations if they are kept in low-light conditions.
By addressing the issues of overwatering or insufficient light, you can help revive your Swiss cheese plant and promote healthy growth.
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Brown leaves: overwatering or cold temperatures
Brown leaves on a Swiss cheese plant can be caused by overwatering or cold temperatures. Overwatering can cause the roots to rot, leaving the roots gasping for air in soggy soil. If the roots are rotten, the plant will need to be repotting in fresh soil with better drainage. To prevent overwatering, only water the plant when the topsoil is dry. Check the soil by sticking your finger into it, and only water if the soil feels dry.
Cold temperatures can also cause Swiss cheese plant leaves to turn brown. These plants dislike cold temperatures, and prolonged exposure to temperatures below 64°F (18°C) can kill the plant. Keep the plant in a room where both you and the plant are comfortable temperature-wise.
If your plant has brown leaves, check the soil to see if the problem is overwatering. If the soil feels wet, dump the plant out of the pot and remove the soggy soil. Replant the Swiss cheese plant in fresh soil with good drainage, and only water it when the soil feels dry. If the soil feels dry, the problem is likely to be the temperature, so move the plant to a warmer location.
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Root issues: rot or compaction
If your Swiss cheese plant is suffering from root issues, such as rot or compaction, it is important to take action to save your plant. Root rot is a common issue with Swiss cheese plants, often caused by overwatering or inadequate drainage. To address this, first check the soil to determine if it is too wet. Remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots. If the roots appear rotten or damaged, gently remove the affected parts with sterile scissors or pruning shears. Ensure that you only cut away the damaged roots, retaining as much of the healthy root system as possible.
Next, you will need to replant your Swiss cheese plant in fresh, well-draining soil. Choose a pot with ample drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. A mixture of perlite or coco coir can improve aeration and drainage. When replanting, be careful not to compact the soil too tightly around the roots, as this can restrict growth and lead to further issues.
To prevent root rot in the future, allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Check the moisture level of the soil by sticking your finger into the potting mix. If the top inch or two feels dry, it's time to water your plant. It is also important to ensure your plant has adequate light, as insufficient light can lead to overwatering. Bright, indirect light is ideal for Swiss cheese plants, and they can be placed near a window, but avoid direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
In addition to root rot, root compaction can also be an issue for Swiss cheese plants. If your plant becomes rootbound, it will need a larger pot to accommodate its growing root system. Repotting in a bigger container will give the roots more room to spread out and grow, promoting the overall health of the plant. When repotting, be mindful of the soil mixture and ensure it is well-draining to prevent root rot.
By addressing root issues such as rot and compaction, you can help your Swiss cheese plant recover and thrive. Remember to inspect your plant regularly, provide adequate light and water, and ensure your plant has sufficient space to grow, both above and below the soil.
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Frequently asked questions
Wilting and drooping leaves are a sign of overwatering or underwatering. Check the soil to see if it's wet and ensure your pot has plenty of drainage holes. If the soil is soggy, dump the plant out of the pot and replant it in fresh soil in a pot with better drainage. If the soil feels dry, water the plant and see if it perks up.
Yellow leaves mean either too much water or not enough light. Move your plant to a brighter spot, but not so close that it could get sunburned.
If your plant is root-bound, it will need a bigger pot to grow more. Check if the plant is mature by looking for splits or holes in the leaves. If it is mature and still not growing, it may be due to a lack of light.
Curling leaves usually mean your plant needs to be watered or misted for extra humidity.
Treat your plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
