Whether you have one indoor plant or a whole collection, the Swiss cheese plant is a must-have for any plant lover. Also known as Monstera deliciosa, this tropical plant has gorgeous waxy, deep green leaves that develop slashes or holes as the plant grows larger—hence, its nickname! With its striking good looks, the Swiss cheese plant is a popular houseplant because of its dramatic leaf size and form. It's typically low-maintenance and generally resistant to pests or diseases, so it makes a great choice for new plant parents and experienced gardeners alike.
Native to Central and South America, a Swiss cheese plant can climb up to 70 feet tall if left unpruned, and its dramatic leaves can grow up to three feet wide. Indoors, it will max out at about 6 to 8 feet tall, especially if you give them a moss-covered pole to climb. Leaf size also will increase as the plant matures. In the wild, the plant produces flowers and fruit, but that's rare for a houseplant. Here's everything you need to know before you get a Swiss cheese plant of your own.
Different Types of Swiss Cheese Plants
This plant belongs to the genus Monstera, but several different but related species go by the name “Swiss cheese plant.” Regardless of the type, they're all beautiful, and they all need the same care. Here are the most common types of Swiss cheese plants you'll find:
- Monstera deliciosa has long-lobed leaves and elongated holes, though young leaves may not have these holes. It's widely available to buy in garden shops and is not super expensive.
- Monstera epipremnoides looks almost identical to the Monstera deliciosa except its leaves have long slashes through the outer edges instead of holes.
- Monstera adansonii has heart-shaped leaves with holes.
How to Care for Swiss Cheese Plants
No matter what type of Swiss cheese plant you're growing, they need similar conditions.
Temperature
Monstera likes moderate indoor temperatures of 60 to 85 degrees. Outdoors, you can grow it in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and warmer (find your zone here). In warmer climates, keep it in a pot to prevent it from becoming invasive and taking over your whole garden.
Humidity
Monstera prefers high humidity, but it will adapt fine to dry indoor conditions. If you want to boost humidity, place other houseplants around it because their transpiration (or release of water vapor) will be mutually beneficial. You can also run a small humidifier near it.
Water
You can water a Swiss cheese plant until it runs out the bottom (just make sure its pot has drainage holes). Wait until the top few inches of soil feel dry before watering it again. Don't be tempted to overwater—that's a common mistake with this plant.
Fertilizer
It's not entirely necessary, but you can feed your plant with any balanced houseplant liquid fertilizer, according to the package directions.
Sunlight
In its native environment, a Swiss cheese plant grows beneath a canopy of large trees. This means it prefers bright, indirect sunlight. It can tolerate some direct sunlight but only a few hours of morning sun—not blazing-hot afternoon sun.
You can take your monstera outdoors in summer, but place it in an area of filtered shade so the leaves don't fry. Bring it back indoors before temperatures drop into the 40s. Although it adapts fine to lower light levels, be aware that it may not develop its characteristic leaf holes if grown in low light.
How to Repot Swiss Cheese Plants
Swiss cheese plants are fast growers, though they don't mind being a little root-bound. However, if you find your plant isn't growing as vigorously as it was, or if the soil is starting to pull away from the sides of the pot, it's probably time to repot. Go up one pot size (about 2 inches wider in diameter), and make sure it has a drain hole.
Ease it out of its old pot, and place the plant in the new pot. If you haven't already, add a stake or moss-covered pole in the pot for the plant to climb. You may need to use plant ties to attach the stem to the stake until it starts grabbing on and climbing itself. Finally, fill in around the root ball with fresh potting soil, and tamp down to eliminate air pockets. Water it well.
How to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plants
There are two simple ways to propagate a monstera or Swiss cheese plant: using stem cuttings or air layering.
Stem Cutting
- With a sharp pruning shear or knife, cut off a piece of stem with at least one leaf and one node, which is that little brown bump on the stem where new growth occurs.
- Place the cutting in a glass of water with the node submerged. Keep the glass in bright, indirect light, and change the water weekly.
- After a few weeks when you see roots sprouting, place the cutting into a pot of new potting soil. You can take several cuttings and place them all in the same pot to create a fuller plant instantly.
Air Layering
- Find a node where new aerial roots will form.
- Use a sharp knife to make a cut just below the node approximately 1/3 through the stem's width.
- Wrap some damp sphagnum moss around the cut and the node. Soaking the moss first helps it absorb water.
- Wrap the whole thing loosely in plastic, using twist ties to secure it in place.
- Spray the peat moss every few days to keep it moist.
- After a few months, once the roots sprout, cut the stem with the new roots and pot it. Voila! You have a new plant and have also reduced the size of the old plant.
Common Swiss Cheese Plant Pests
Swiss cheese plants rarely get pests. However, these are most common types you'll occasionally see indoors:
- Mealybugs have white, waxy-looking tapered bodies. Use an insecticidal soap or swabs dipped in alcohol to remove individual bugs if you have a minor infestation.
- Spider mites are tiny arachnids that appear seemingly overnight. The first sign is often their webbing. Take your plant outdoors and use a sprayer hose to blast them off, or treat the plant with insecticidal soap, being sure to spray the stems and undersides of leaves.
- Scale insects appear to be small brownish bumps on leaves or stems. They can be treated with horticultural oil.
Common Swiss Cheese Plant Problems
While Swiss cheese plants are pretty low-maintenance, they need just the right conditions to thrive. Here are some common problems to look out for:
Brown Leaf Edges
Brown leaf edges are a common sign of low humidity. Use a humidifier, place other houseplants close together around your monstera, or relocate plants to a pebble tray filled with water to help increase moisture around the plants.
Sweating Leaves
A monstera plant's leaves will appear to sweat if the growing medium is too moist. If you notice this, move your pot to a brighter location temporarily (but not in direct sunlight, which will scorch the leaves), and stop watering. Allow the plant to dry out more thoroughly before your next watering.
Stagnant Growth
Swiss cheese plants are fast growers that can quickly outgrow a small planter. If you've noticed that your plant is struggling but can't pinpoint why, you may need a larger pot.
Root Rot
If your plant starts to wilt but the soil is moist, it may be too damp. Leaves will also be mushy at the base. Stop watering immediately, and allow the plant to dry out. However, if you've been too aggressive with the water, the roots can develop a fungal disease called root rot, from which they usually don't recover. This is why it's important never to overwater this houseplant (or any other!).
Are Swiss Cheese Plants Toxic to Pets?
As gorgeous as this plant is, you should keep it away from your pets. Like many other tropical houseplants (such as the snake plant and pothos) the Swiss cheese plant is toxic if ingested because it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.
If you have cats or dogs who like to nibble, keep them away from this plant because ingesting any part of it can irritate their mouth, lips, and tongue and potentially cause drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. If you suspect your pet has taken a bite—even if you're not entirely sure—call your vet right away. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
