The Swiss cheese plant (Monstera adansonii) gets its common name from its large, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes as the plant ages (in a process called fenestration). This makes the leaves resemble Swiss cheese. Native to Central and South America, the Swiss cheese plant is a tropical perennial that’s typically grown as an indoor plant.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Like its cousin Monstera deliciosa(also sometimes referred to as the Swiss cheese plant), Monstera adansonii has a fast growth rate and a vining habit. Although the Swiss cheese plant can reach mature heights of 10 to 13 feet tall when grown outside, it will tend to remain at a more manageable size (between 3 and 8 feet tall) when grown in a container indoors. As houseplants, Swiss cheese plants normally have an average growth rate of one to two feet per year in optimal conditions with indirect light. When cultivated as a houseplant, Swiss cheese plants, vine are typically grown from young nursery plants and can be potted at any time.
It’s important to note that all parts of Monstera plants are toxic to pets, so be careful when growing them indoors.
| Common Name | Swiss cheese plant, Swiss cheese vine, five holes plant, cheese plant |
| Botanical Name | Monstera adansonii |
| Family | Araceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
| Mature Size | 10–13 ft. tall (outdoors), 3–8 ft. tall (indoors), 1–3 ft. wide |
| Sun Exposure | Partial |
| Soil Type | Moist, well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic, neutral |
| Bloom Time | Spring (does not bloom indoors) |
| Flower Color | White |
| Hardiness Zones | 10–12 (USDA) |
| Native Area | Central America, South America |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets |
Swiss Cheese Plant Care
- Provide well-draining soil for your cheese plant.
- Water your cheese plant regularly to grow; let the soil dry out and them moisten thoroughly.
- Add a stake or moss pole to the center of the pot to give your Swiss cheese plant a structure to climb on
- Fertilize your cheese plant with a balanced houseplant fertilizer, after it is well-established.
- Prune your cheese plant lightly and regularly as needed.
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The Spruce / Cara Cormack
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The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Light
Monstera adansonii needs bright but indirect light to grow. The foliage can burn if it’s exposed to too much direct sun. If direct sunlight is unavoidable, limit its exposure to just two or three hours of morning sun.
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.
Water
Water your Swiss cheese plant when the top inch of soil is dry to grow. Soil should be be kept moist, but not soaked. A well-draining terracotta container will help to regulate moisture.
Temperature and Humidity
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 plant. If you need to increase humidity, add a pebble tray or use a humidifier in its space.
Fertilizer
A balanced fertilizer made for houseplants with an N-P-K ration of 5-2-3 should be applied monthly during the growing season (May to September). However, wait until the plant is well established (four to six months) after potting it, as potting mix typically already has slow-release fertilizer in it, and the sensitive roots need time to settle after the stress of being moved.
Staking and Support
Swiss cheese plants are vigorous climbers, with aerial roots growing downward from the stem, which brace against the ground or any available support. In the wild, it will use these roots to push itself up onto an adjoining tree or woody vine. 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 center of the pot.
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The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Cara Cormack
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Types of Swiss Cheese Plant
There are several types of monstera related to the Swiss cheese plant, including:
- Monstera deliciosa: This species features leaves that are larger than those of Monstera adansonii.
- Monstera borsigiana: This is a smaller and faster-growing form of Monstera deliciosa, with the most popular variety being the Monstera albo.
- Monstera obliqua: This is a rare species that looks similar to Monstera adansonii, but its leaves are thinner with more holes.
- Monstera dubia: The Monstera dubia cultivar has beautiful variegated leaves.
- Monstera siltepecana: This cultivar also known as ‘El Salvador’ has lovely lance-shaped leaves with silvery variegation.
- Monstera standleayana: Also known as Monstera standleyana albo, or ‘Albo Variegata’, this plant has dramatic coloring on its long, slender, dark green and creamy white variegated leaves.
- Monstera pinnatipartita: This variety is fast growing and has thick, textured leaves. As the leaves mature and grow larger, they also develop stunning fenestration.
Pruning
The Swiss cheese plant is a climber, so it might need to be pruned if it begins to outgrow your space. The best time to prune a Swiss cheese plant is in spring (you can propagate anything you cut). Use sterile pruning shears to cut back stems by no more than 25 percent. Cut just the stem right above a leaf node so it stays in place. Remove any dead or damaged leaves as needed.
Propagating Swiss Cheese Plant
The easiest method to propagate a Swiss cheese plant is by stem cuttings. Not only is this an inexpensive way to acquire new plants, but it allows you to put any stems you remove while pruning to good use. The best time to propagate is in the spring. Here’s how:
- Trim off a 4- to 6-inch piece of stem, cutting just after a leaf node (the node stays intact). Remove any leaves on the bottom third to half of the cutting.
- Apply a rooting hormone to the cut end.
- Plant the cutting in moistened soilless potting mix in a small container with drainage holes. Place it in a warm spot with bright, indirect light.
- Continue to keep the growing medium lightly moist. You should have well-formed roots in a few months, after which you can transfer the cutting to a larger pot.
Potting and Repotting Swiss Cheese Plant
Best Kind of Pot
Any container with drainage holes will do for a Swiss cheese plant. These plants look especially nice in hanging baskets. When potting a nursery plant, select a container that’s just slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. Situate it at the same depth as it was in its nursery container, using a peat-based potting mix.
When to Repot
Plan to repot your Swiss cheese plant every two years in a slightly larger container with fresh potting mix. You will know it’s time to repot if roots start to poke through the drainage holes, or start to poke up through the soil line. If soils dries out quickly, this may also be a sign that it needs repotting. The best time for potting and repotting is in the spring.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
The Swiss cheese plant might have to contend with a variety of common houseplant pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, scale, and whitefly. Luckily, these pests are rarely fatal and can be treated with a nontoxic insecticide or neem oil. Additionally, keep an eye out for common diseases, such as root rot, rust, powdery mildew, and blight.
Common Problems With Swiss Cheese Plant
When grown in the conditions it likes, the Swiss cheese plant typically doesn’t have any serious problems. However, if you can’t meet its environmental needs indoors, it is prone to some common issues.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellowing of the leaves is commonly the result of overwatering. Make sure your plant is never sitting in soggy soil, and allow it to slightly dry out between waterings.
Leaves Wrinkled or Curling
If the leaves of your Swiss cheese plant are curled or wrinkled, this may be a sign of the soil being too dry or underwatering. Make sure you have well-draining potting soil and water thoroughly when the top one-two inches of soil becomes dry; water until water begins to run out of the drainage holes.
Leaves Turning Black
Black marks on the leaves can be a sign of leaf burn from direct sunlight. Watch your plant throughout the day to make sure direct sun isn’t hitting it for very long. Especially make sure to protect it from strong afternoon sun.
Leaves Drooping
This can be a sign of either over or underwatering. Water when top two inches of soil is dry, and water thoroughly until soil is moist and water begins to run out the drainage holes of the container.
Leaves Falling Off or Not Putting on Size
If your Swiss cheese plant’s leaves start to drop off, or are not putting on size at a normal rate, this may be a sign of too little light exposure. This plant likes bright but indirect sunlight. If indirect light is not an option, then bright morning sunlight is preferable to bright afternoon sunlight.
Leaves Not Splitting
The fenestration (splitting) habit of monstera is what gives it the distinctive look loved by growers. The cause of your monstera’s leaves not splitting is too little light. Try increasing the light exposure slowly and gradually, to make not to harm the plant with too much bright light all at once.
Swiss Cheese Plant vs. Monstera: Is There a Difference?
Monstera is the common name for monstera deliciosa, a large and big-leafed plant, while Swiss cheese plant is the common name for monstera adansonii, a small plant with narrow and oblong leaves. The confusion comes from the fact that some people call monstera deliciosa “Swiss cheese plant.” Many plants can share the same common name, so it’s always a good idea to ask about or check a plant tag for the botanic name.
FAQ
- Do Swiss cheese plants need to climb?Swiss cheese plants like to climb, so it’s a good idea to offer them a moss pole or trellis of spaghum moss to latch its aerial roots into. It’s also okay to let it trail, if that’s what you prefer or what works better in your space.
- Do Swiss cheese plants need a lot of light?Swiss cheese plants need bright, indirect light to keep growing and for its leaves to fenestrate (get holes). Put it in or near a south-facing window, or near a west-facing window. You can put it right in a west-facing window if you do something to make the harsh afternoon light indirect, such as adding a sheer curtain.
- How do you know if your monstera is thirsty?To know if a monstera is thirsty, look to see if its leaves are limp or curling inwards, and stick your finger in the soil to see if it’s dry. If the top inch layer of the potting soil is dry, the plant needs water.
- How do I make my Swiss cheese plant bushier?To make your Swiss cheese plant bushier, take cuttings from long vines to propagate them. Once the new cuttings have roots, you can replant them in the Swiss cheese plant’s pot. The more cuttings you take and replant, the bushier the Swiss cheese plant will look.
- What are some good and bad things about Swiss cheese plants?Some of the pros of a Swiss cheese plant are the interesting look of its leaves, its vining growth habit, and how easy it is to care for once you’ve got a routine. Some of the cons of Swiss cheese plants are that it’s toxic to pets and it prefers higher humidity levels, though it can do okay in average humidity.