Last Updated on April 16, 2024 by Real Men Sow
The Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) is known for its lush, glossy leaves. They are great air purifiers and add a modern, jungly look to any room.
When young, the leaves are heart-shaped and then they become perforated or Swiss cheese-like as they age due to the process called ‘fenestration’. It’s believed that plants do this in nature to allow as much light through to the lower leaves.
Swiss cheese plants are simple houseplants. Their seeds are easy to sow indoors and they’re easy to maintain and free from pests. If they are given the right conditions, cheese plant care is super easy.
How To Grow Swiss Cheese Plant?
Cheese plants require little maintenance. It is important to give them enough light. A bright spot away from direct sunlight is the best. Don’t overwater – it is better for the soil not to be wet.
Find the Right Place to Grow It
It is important to choose the best spot for your Swiss cheese plant. The leaves will burn if they are exposed to too much sun then too much shade will cause the leaves to perforate. Ideal is a spot just a few feet away from a brightly lit window. It should not be placed near an air conditioner or radiator. It will get very big if it is not given enough space.
Swiss cheese plants can only thrive at temperatures above 18°C, but they can also survive at temperatures as low as 10°C.
How to Plant it?
Place the root ball in a large pot with drainage holes. Fill it with houseplant compost, peat-free, multipurpose, or houseplant compost. The root ball should have at least one inch of compost.
How Do You Maintain and Care for the Swiss Cheese Plant?
Swiss cheese plants can be easily cared for. The time of year and the environment in the room will determine how often you water your Swiss cheese plants. Instead of watering according to a schedule, water when the top inch or so of the compost is dry. You can also poke your finger into the soil to check. After watering, let it drain completely. During Winter, the plants require less watering, especially if they are kept in a cool area. The house plant should be fed once per month in spring and summer.
The plant will get floppy as it grows so tie the stems to a support like a moss pole or coir pole. These can be purchased at garden centres and online.
Aerial roots will also grow, these are the long and white roots that grow from stems. These roots help plants cling to trees in the wild. The roots of the compost will provide nutrients to your plant, so you can trim any unsightly aerial roots. You can either tuck them in the compost or allow them to grow up the moss pole, which will help support the plant.
If the roots bulge out of the pot, re-pot in spring in a larger pot. You can use plant compost or multipurpose compost. Remove as much compost as possible from the top of your pot if the plant grows too large.
Large leaves can attract dust so make sure to wipe them with a damp cloth from time to time to get them clean and healthy. A misting of the leaves is a good idea if your plant is in a warm area.
How To Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant?
It is easy to cut off a Swiss cheese plant. Choose a stem with an aerial root that is growing lower in the spring or summer – look for a bud between leaves. This will be the starting point for new roots. Cut the stem about 1 inch below the aerial roots using a knife or secateurs. The stem should be placed in a deep, clear container with water. Place the stem in a sunny spot and make sure to refresh the water every few weeks. Within a week, new roots should appear. The cutting should be about four inches in length after six weeks. You can now plant the new plant in a pot with fresh, multi-purpose, or houseplant compost. Allow draining excess water.
