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4.8 out of 5 (217 experiences)


About Swiss Cheese Vine
The Swiss Cheese Plant is named for its characteristic leaves with holes resembling swiss cheese! The holes in Monstera leaves let water drip close to the roots, and they absorb the scattered beams of sunlight that make it down through the forest canopy ☀️.
Taxonomy
Monstera adansonii
Monstera
Araceae
Alismatales
Also known as
Adanson's Monstera, Swiss Cheese Plant, Five Holes Plant, Monkey Mask Plant and Monkey Mask

How to care for Swiss Cheese Vine

How often to water your Swiss Cheese Vine

every 9
Swiss Cheese Vine needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Swiss Cheese Vine in your home

a window
Swiss Cheese Vine may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Swiss Cheese Vine in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Swiss Cheese Vine

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Swiss Cheese Vine after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Swiss Cheese Vine is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Swiss Cheese Vine prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Swiss Cheese Vine may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Swiss Cheese Vine is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Humidity
Swiss Cheese Vine doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Swiss Cheese Vine does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Swiss Cheese Vine should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Swiss Cheese Vine to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Swiss Cheese Vine is native to Central America.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Swiss Cheese Vine bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Swiss Cheese Vine is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Swiss Cheese Vine can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12a. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Swiss Cheese Vine can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Swiss Cheese Vine, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Swiss Cheese Vine
Swiss Cheese Vine
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












This is a fantastic starter plant! So easy to maintain and so beautiful to watch grow. Mine can put out 4 leaves in a week under high humidity, warmth and the right light. I feed her once a fortnight for bigger foliage growth (size and amount) with a watered down all rounder synthetic mix.
Careful with grow lights! These plants are climbers coming off the Forrest floor and are able to thrive on the lower end of the spectrum. Grow lights will speed up leaf output, however they are prone to crispy leaves and brown spots under too much light. Humidity is definitely your friend with this cheesy wonder.








This plant and I have had our fair share of fights but she always comes around with a new leaf. This kind of plant definitely does better with a pole to grow up but does okay without one. I currently keep this one in high humidity ~80% and around 6” away from grow lights and it’s doing well. I also add a layer about an inch deep of spagnum moss on top of the soil to keep it a little more humid








I bought mine off Etsy in winter and it was delayed so it came with some cold damage. Despite below freezing temperatures, she’s made a wonderful comeback and has one brand new leaf with another starting to unfurl. Very easy to grow and propping just involves nodes and water.








Really dont know how to care for this plant. Thought it would be easier than the deliciosa but its not. This is my second plant. The first one died due to overwatering. Hope with the assistance of Greg the overwatering issue will be addressed. Will give it a 5 star rating if this one gives me big lush leaves.

