Swiss Cheese Plant Care
Light
Monstera adansonii needsbright but indirect lightto 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.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Happy, healthy monstera adansonii should have lots of splitting on the leaves.
ensure your plant is in a location with bright, indirect light.
For strong growth, aim for a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
Water
Water your Swiss cheese plant when the top inch of soil is dry.
Soil should be be kept moist, but not soaked.
A well-draining terracotta container will help to regulate moisture.
The Spruce / Cara Cormack
A warm, well-lit bathroom (free of drafts) is a good spot for thistropical plant.
If it’s crucial that you increase humidity,add a pebble trayoruse a humidifierin its space.
Want more gardening tips?
The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Cara Cormack
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.
Pruning Tip
No pruners?
Propagating Swiss Cheese Plant
The easiest method topropagate a Swiss cheese plantis bystem cuttings.
The best time to propagate is in the spring.
These plants look especially nice in hanging baskets.
Situate it at the same depth as it was in its nursery container, using a peat-based potting mix.
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.
Here areour favorite indoor plantersto consider.
you’re free to also take the work out of watering with one of theseself-watering planters.
Luckily, these pests are rarely fatal and can be treated with a nontoxic insecticide orneem oil.
Leaves Turning Yellow
Yellowing of the leavesis commonly the result of overwatering.
confirm your plant is never sitting in soggy soil, and allow it to slightly dry out between waterings.
Leaves Turning Black
Black marks on the leaves can be a sign ofleaf burnfrom direct sunlight.
Watch your plant throughout the day to check that direct sun isn’t hitting it for very long.
Especially see to it to protect it from strong afternoon sun.
Leaves Drooping
This can be a sign of either over or underwatering.
This plant likes bright but indirect sunlight.
If indirect light is not an option, then bright morning sunlight is preferable to bright afternoon sunlight.
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.
Swiss Cheese Plant vs. Monstera: Is There a Difference?
The confusion comes from the fact that some people call monstera deliciosa “Swiss cheese plant.”
Put it in or near a south-facing window, or near a west-facing window.
If the top inch layer of the potting soil is dry, the plant needs water.
To make your Swiss cheese plant bushier, take cuttings from long vines to propagate them.
Once the new cuttings have roots, you might replant them in the Swiss cheese plant’s pot.
The more cuttings you take and replant, the bushier the Swiss cheese plant will look.
