How much light does it need?

It thrives in bright, indirect light.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Why are my leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing is frequently a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

Guide botanique

Swiss cheese plant.

Monstera deliciosa

Prononciation mon-STAIR-uh de-lis-ee-OH-suh

Aussi appelée Ceriman, Cut-leaf-philodendron, Delicious Monster, Fruit salad plant, Fruit-salad-plant, Mexican Breadfruit, Mexican-breadfruit, Monstera

The Swiss cheese plant is a popular tropical climber known for its iconic, fenestrated leaves. It brings a bold, jungle feel to any indoor space. These plants are quite adaptable and grow quickly when given enough room.

En un coup d'œil

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical evergreen climber
Light: Bright, indirect light is best, though it can tolerate some morning sun.
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: Up to 3 meters tall indoors
Growth rate: fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely indoors, usually mid summer

Entretien

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, and wipe the leaves occasionally to remove dust. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Provide a moss pole or trellis early on to support its climbing nature.

Watering: Water when the top 5 centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems or remove damaged leaves to maintain shape.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the container.
Soil: Well draining, peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years indoors.
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant becoming top-heavy and tipping over easily.

Sécurité

People: This plant is toxic to humans due to calcium oxalate crystals that cause burning and swelling of the mouth and throat.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, as it contains insoluble calcium oxalates.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children because chewing on any part of the leaves or stems causes immediate oral pain and swelling.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: It is not known to be a significant respiratory allergen.
Edibility: The fruit is edible when fully ripe, but all other parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause severe irritation if ingested.

Comment l'identifier

Large, heart shaped glossy leaves
Distinctive natural leaf holes or splits
Thick, aerial roots emerge from stems
Vining growth habit requires support

Height: 1 to 3m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.5m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 10 to 20cm
Fruit: green, white, Late summer

Problèmes courants

Thrips — These tiny insects suck sap from leaves, leaving behind silvery streaks and stunted growth.
Root rot — Overwatering leads to fungal decay of the root system, often causing yellowing leaves.
Brown leaf tips — This is usually caused by low humidity or inconsistent watering habits.

La cultiver

Propagation: stem cuttings, air layering
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep it away from cold drafts and heating vents during winter. Reduce watering slightly as growth slows down in the cooler months.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, but you should use a sturdy pot at least 12 inches wide to support its eventual size.

Stem cuttings

Find a node on the stem where a leaf or aerial root emerges.
Cut just below the node using clean shears.
Place the cutting in a jar of water or directly into moist potting mix.
Wait for roots to grow several inches long before transplanting.

Group plants with similar humidity needs together to create a microclimate that keeps them all happy.

Bonnes associations

Peace Lily — They share similar light and moisture requirements, making them great neighbors.
Philodendron — Both plants enjoy the same tropical environment and create a lush, layered look.

Espèces similaires

Adanson's Monstera — It is a smaller relative with more frequent and smaller leaf holes.
Split Leaf Philodendron — It is often confused with Monstera but has deeply lobed, non-perforated leaves.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Monstera
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical rainforests of southern Mexico and Central America.
Conservation: This species is not currently of conservation concern.

It uses aerial roots to climb trees, allowing it to reach higher light levels in the dense forest understory.

Uses: Indoor ornamental, Tropical foliage display

Au fil des saisons

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Repères écologiques

Soil reaction: 6/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9
Salinity: 1/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

How much light does it need?: It thrives in bright, indirect light.
How often should I water it?: Water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Why are my leaves turning yellow?: Yellowing is frequently a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

D'où vient le nom

The name Monstera comes from the Latin word for monstrous, referring to the plant's unusual, large, and perforated leaves.

Bon à savoir

The specific epithet deliciosa refers to the delicious, pineapple-like flavor of its ripe fruit.
In its native habitat, it grows as an epiphyte, climbing up trees toward the canopy.
The leaves can grow to be over 3 feet wide in the wild.
It is often called the Swiss Cheese Plant because of its perforated leaves.

Ton swiss cheese plant a mauvaise mine ?

Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

Télécharger l'appli

Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.