Cousin of the monstera deliciosa, the Monstera adansonii is a unique, easy-to-care-for vine houseplant. It is nicknamed the “Swiss cheese plant” for its pointed perforated heart-shaped leaves with big holes. This elegant plant adds character and personality to any space while requiring minimal attention to thrive.
This beautiful lacy plant is easy to take care of. This guide has everything you need to know about monstera adansonii care.
Native to the jungles of Central and South America, the Swiss cheese plant is an evergreen vine that has become a hugely popular houseplant. With its distinctively perforated leaves bearing large holes, it’s easy to see why this plant is nicknamed the “Swiss cheese plant.” But what exactly is this unique houseplant and how did it get its quirky common name? Let’s take a closer look at the origins and care for this plant that looks like Swiss cheese.
Swiss Cheese Plant Overview
The Swiss cheese plant goes by the botanical name Monstera adansonii and is classified as an aroid in the Araceae family It is often confused with its close relative Monstera deliciosa, which also sports fenestrated leaves and is sometimes referred to as Swiss cheese plant too
In its native tropical habitat, Monstera adansonii can grow up to 13 feet tall as a vining epiphyte, climbing up the bark of trees using its aerial roots. But when grown as a houseplant, it typically reaches heights of only 3 to 8 feet.
The oval-shaped, glossy green leaves start out without holes. As the plant matures, natural leaf splits called fenestrations develop, creating holes that widen with age. These perforations help the plant absorb more sunlight in the rainforest understory
With a fast growth rate and easy care requirements, the trailing Swiss cheese plant makes an excellent indoor companion. Its distinctive foliage adds a bold, tropical accent to any space.
Where Does the Name Come From?
The common name Swiss cheese plant refers to the uncanny resemblance of the lacy leaves to Swiss cheese slices. Just like the classic holey cheese, the leaves develop holes and gaps as part of the plant’s natural development
The numerous oval slits and perforations create a beautiful, artistic look. Backlit by the sun or a grow light, the gracefully arching leaves take on an even more striking appearance.
Caring for Your Swiss Cheese Houseplant
Cultivating your Monstera adansonii indoors is relatively simple, as long as you provide the right growing conditions. Here are some key tips for keeping your Swiss cheese plant healthy:
- Place in bright, indirect light. Some early morning sun is tolerated.
- Water thoroughly when the top 1-2 inches of soil dries out.
- Maintain average room temperatures between 65-80°F.
- Provide high humidity levels above 50%.
- Add a moss pole or trellis for support.
- Prune back overgrown stems in spring.
- Propagate new plants from stem cuttings.
- Repot every 2 years in spring using an aroid mix.
With the proper care, your Monstera adansonii will reward you for years to come with its jungle foliage and trailing vining habit. Be sure to keep it away from pets, as all plant parts are toxic if ingested.
Popular Varieties to Grow
Beyond the classic Monstera adansonii, there are several other varieties of this Swiss cheese plant to choose from:
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Monstera adansonii var. laniata – Also called the “narrow form”, it has longer, more oval leaves.
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Monstera adansonii var. klotzschiana – The “wide form” has more heart-shaped, broader leaves.
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Monstera adansonii ‘Archipelago’ – Has smaller leaves with lots of fenestrations.
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Monstera adansonii ‘Goldiana’ – Features beautiful yellow and green variegated leaves.
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Monstera adansonii ‘Tricolor’ – Has white, green and pink variegated foliage.
The stunning diversity of Monstera varieties means you can add unique textures and colors to your plant collection.
Frequency of Entities:
Swiss cheese plant: 14
Monstera adansonii: 10
leaves: 16
holes: 7
plant: 11
cheese: 4
looks: 2
fenestrations: 3
varieties: 2
Potting and Repotting Monstera Adansonii
Any container or pot with drainage holes will do for a Monster Adansonii. These plants look great in hanging baskets.
When potting a nursery plant, select a slightly larger container than the plant’s root ball. Use a peat or perlite-based potting mix at the same depth as in its nursery container.
Plan to repot in a slightly bigger container with fresh potting mix every two years. The best time to pot and repot is in spring.
The easiest way to propagate this jungle plant is by using stem cuttings during spring.
With this easy and cheap way to grow new plants, you can use broken stems that have been saved.
Here’s how to propagate Monstera adansonii by stem cuttings:
- Take off a 6-inch piece of stem by cutting just after a leaf node. This will keep the stem whole.
- Take off a third to half of the cutting’s bottom leaves.
- Apply a rooting hormone to the cut end.
- Plant the cutting(s) in a small pot with drainage holes filled with moistened potting mix that doesn’t have soil in it.
- Don’t put it in direct sunlight; instead, put it somewhere warm where it can get bright light.
- Keep the growing medium evenly and lightly moistened.
- After a few months, the cuttings should have strong roots, at which point you can move them to a bigger pot.
The Monstera Adansonii Origin
The West Indies are another place where the Monstera adansonii can be found besides South and Central America. Islands like Dominica, Antigua, and Guadalupe are common places to see these wild Monstera plants, though some subspecies are going extinct because of cutting down trees.
There are two differentiated forms of this plant:
- The round form of Monstera adansonii has the same holes and leaves as the narrow form, but it is wider and more heart-shaped.
- Monstera adansonii Narrow Form: The stems are longer and the tips point to one side.
In the wild, you can find Monstera adansonii species along the bark of jungle trees.
As its name suggests, these plants act as vines when given a chance. Working as a vine helps them thrive in sparsely lit areas.
How to Grow and Care for Swiss Cheese Plant
FAQ
What outdoor plant looks like a Swiss cheese plant?
Is Monstera an indoor plant?
How to care for Monstera adansonii?
What are the different types of Swiss cheese plants?
Various species share the common name of the Swiss cheese plant, including: Monstera deliciosa: Monstera deliciosa, also known as Split Leaf Philodendron, has larger split leaves, when compared to Monstera adansonii., and produces edible fruit.
What does a Swiss cheese plant look like?
The Swiss cheese plant, scientifically known as Monstera adansonii, is named for its large, heart-shaped leaves with holes (fenestration), which resemble Swiss cheese. Native to Central and South America, it is a tropical perennial typically grown as an indoor plant. The Swiss cheese plant gets its common name from its distinctive leaves.
Is a Swiss Cheese Plant a Perennial?
The Swiss cheese plant, also known as Monstera adansonii, is a tropical perennial native to Central and South America. It is typically grown as an indoor plant and, like its cousin Monstera deliciosa, has a fast growth rate and a vining habit. However, it will remain at a manageable size when grown in a container indoors.
Where does the Swiss cheese plant grow?
The Swiss cheese plant, also known as Monstera Deliciosa, can grow outdoors in the full shade of deep woodlands and semi-shade of light forests. When grown in a container, it requires peat-based potting media. Outdoors, it is suitable for light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with acid or neutral pH. However, it thrives most in well-drained, moderately moist soil.