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Window Leaf

Reviewed by: Kiersten Rankel | Last Updated: 09/25/2024

4.7 out of 5 (191 experiences)

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

About Window Leaf

This species of Monstera is relatively rare in cultivation and is known for its enormous fenestrations 🪟. 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. Cuttings of this sought-after plant have sold for over $20,000 and and there have even been instances of cuttings being stolen from botanic gardens and institutions .

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Monstera obliqua

Genus

Monstera

Family

Araceae

Order

Alismatales

Also known as

Swiss Cheese Philodendron

How to care for Window Leaf

💦 Water

How often to water your Window Leaf

Window Leaf 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

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Window Leaf in your home

Window Leaf 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 Window Leaf in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Window Leaf

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Window Leaf: repot after 2X growth

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 Window Leaf after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Monstera

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Window Leaf 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!

How to Grow Window Leaf →

Benefits of Growing Window Leaf →

Common Window Leaf Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Window Leaf →

Outdoor Care Guide for Window Leaf →

💦 Water Needs

Window Leaf 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.

Window Leaf Water Frequency →

Window Leaf Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Window Leaf 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 🏡.

Window Leaf Light Requirements →

Window Leaf Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Window Leaf 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.

Is Window Leaf Edible? →

Window Leaf Toxicity to Cats →

Window Leaf Toxicity to Dogs →

Window Leaf Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Window Leaf prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Window Leaf Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Window Leaf 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!

Best Soil Mix for Window Leaf →

Best Pots for Window Leaf →

When and How to Successfully Repot Window Leaf →

What Are Healthy Window Leaf Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Window Leaf 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!

How Much and When to Fertilize Window Leaf →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Window Leaf 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

Window Leaf is native to Central America.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Window Leaf bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Window Leaf Flowers →

Is Window Leaf an Annual Plant? →

Is Window Leaf a Perennial Plant? →

Window Leaf Pollination Guide →

Common Window Leaf Flower Problems →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Window Leaf 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.

Window Leaf Lifecycle →

Window Leaf Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Window Leaf →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Window Leaf can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Window Leaf Temperature Tolerance →

Window Leaf Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Window Leaf →

When to Plant Window Leaf →

How to Plant Window Leaf →

Where to Plant Window Leaf →

Winter Care for Window Leaf →

Best Companion Plants for Window Leaf →

Is Window Leaf a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

Window Leaf 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 Window Leaf, 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!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Window Leaf →

What Eats Window Leaf? →

Care Summary for Window Leaf

Window Leaf

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

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

Fast grower 112

Large, lush leaves 100

Survivor 75

Easy to propagate 60

Browns easily 26

Blooms easily 5

Pest magnet 2

@@PlantAddict83

1 Plants

205 XP

Midland, MI

04/08/2022

Swiss Cheese plants are beautiful and super easy to take care of! When they need watering they will get a little droopy and I recommend bottom watering. If a lot of leaves are browning it may be sunburn.

Fast grower

Easy to propagate

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

Browns easily

Window Leaf plant photo by @PlantAddict83 named Minerva on Greg, the plant care app.

@@goblinbabe

41 Plants

1,205 XP

Hamilton, NJ

04/04/2022

Easy to take care of, just make sure to keep that humidity up and don’t overwater, that’s all you really have to do! Likes shade as well, I moved it to a sunnier area and it got very crispy.

Window Leaf plant photo by @goblinbabe named Chester on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Plant_ho

3 Plants

772 XP

Bethlehem, PA

02/25/2022

I love this plant! I water from below every 10ish days and that’s always worked really well.

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Window Leaf plant photo by @Plant_ho named Swissy on Greg, the plant care app.

@@FastAster

2 Plants

63 XP

02/23/2022

bug egg on the back of leaf

Window Leaf plant photo by @FastAster named 绿背天鹅绒 on Greg, the plant care app.

@@SilkySandrose

5 Plants

116 XP

Tipp City, OH

01/11/2022

very dramatic as most monsteras are

Easy to propagate

Window Leaf plant photo by @SilkySandrose named swiss cheese monstera on Greg, the plant care app.

@@greenvy

23 Plants

2,042 XP

Decatur, GA

01/09/2022

Very fast growing plant and wildly easy to care for. Everyone compliments it and remark on the “holes” in the leaves.

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

Window Leaf plant photo by @greenvy named Swiss Miss on Greg, the plant care app.

@@UrbaneBibi

14 Plants

179 XP

Pittsboro, NC

01/06/2022

My first monstera

Window Leaf plant photo by @UrbaneBibi named Monserrat on Greg, the plant care app.

@@somehomevideos

0 Plants

291 XP

Roanoke, VA

12/17/2021

my swiss cheese looks rough right now but she’s been through a lot. the plant shows obvious signs of what it’s lacking before it’s too late in my experience so it’s easy to get it back on track.

Fast grower

Easy to propagate

Survivor

Window Leaf plant photo by @somehomevideos named mona on Greg, the plant care app.

@@plantitas

5 Plants

142 XP

Pasay, Metro Manila

11/17/2021

Love her

Fast grower

Window Leaf plant photo by @plantitas named Harper on Greg, the plant care app.

@@AJofFortWayneIN

5 Plants

174 XP

Fort Wayne, IN

11/02/2021

So vibrant and ever-changing!

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

Window Leaf plant photo by @AJofFortWayneIN named Messi on Greg, the plant care app.

@@RinnyK

24 Plants

1,713 XP

Round Hill, VA

10/19/2021

Love my monstera adsonaii. Found this at Home Depot, it was struggling and looked sad. But a little love, good light, fertilizer and she’s just come alive.

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Easy to propagate

Survivor

Window Leaf plant photo by @RinnyK named Claudette on Greg, the plant care app.

@Plant parent

3 Plants

46 XP

Nashua, NH

10/01/2021

INDIRECT light. This baby won’t be happy when it gets direct harsh light. It’ll burn, fast.

Easy to propagate

Survivor

Fast grower

Window Leaf plant photo by Plant parent named New monstera Addi on Greg, the plant care app.

@@TatianaMoss

63 Plants

11,360 XP

Denver, CO

09/19/2021

This guy is super fun to watch grow. He puts out new leaves constantly. It’s a very decorative plant and you can twirl the vines up pipes and bookcases. He thrives in my west facing window. He gets about 1-3 hours of direct sunlight/day when the sun is setting.

Fast grower

Easy to propagate

Window Leaf plant photo by @TatianaMoss named Ishmael on Greg, the plant care app.

@@rosetintedcheeks

1 Plants

95 XP

09/11/2021

Needs to have a warmer environment I believe and needs to have some sort of light sometimes weather that be sunlight or a growth light!

Survivor

Easy to propagate

Fast grower

Window Leaf plant photo by @rosetintedcheeks named Prudence on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Tariqcannings

9 Plants

1,006 XP

09/10/2021

I’ve had this about two weeks and I’ve already almost killed it lol , you have to be careful with watering as it’s very sensitive find the right balance and not too much sun light !!

Large, lush leaves

Window Leaf plant photo by @Tariqcannings named Magnum on Greg, the plant care app.

@@MintyBobcat

20 Plants

656 XP

09/04/2021

Be careful not to overwater believing it’s dying- (that’s what I did.) Such a beautiful plant 👍

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

Window Leaf plant photo by @MintyBobcat named Jill on Greg, the plant care app.

@@kirbybeach

18 Plants

1,726 XP

08/29/2021

Grows well in bathrooms although mine has grown so long I’ve brought it into the lounge to drape around bookcase.

Fast grower

Survivor

Browns easily

Window Leaf plant photo by @kirbybeach named Monkey on Greg, the plant care app.

@Claire

4 Plants

67 XP

08/19/2021

I adore this guy!!! Adorable, relatively easy to take care of and I can hang him out of the reach of my little cats!! 11/10

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower

Window Leaf plant photo by Claire named Your plant on Greg, the plant care app.

@@Mcgriddlepants

105 Plants

20,502 XP

08/17/2021

Love these window leaves. I’ve propagated my plant over six times. Love to share this with friends too. Really wants to climb though. Make sure she’s got a moss pole at some point to keep her leaves large and thriving

Fast grower

Large, lush leaves

Easy to propagate

Window Leaf plant photo by @Mcgriddlepants named oOren Ishi on Greg, the plant care app.

@@lily164

4 Plants

94 XP

08/13/2021

A window leaf is a great plant to have! It’s very beautiful and grows quickly. It climbs up stuff and is easy to maintain. It is also aesthetically pleasing to look at.