Why are my leaves not splitting?

The plant likely needs more bright, indirect light to develop its characteristic holes.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Plant guide

Swiss Cheese Plant.

Monstera

Pronounced mon-STAIR-uh de-liss-ee-OH-suh

Monstera deliciosa — Photo by Robert Taylor (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This iconic tropical climber is famous for its large, glossy leaves that develop dramatic splits as they mature. It is a fantastic choice for adding a lush, jungle vibe to your home. You will love watching its new leaves unfurl.

Another photo of Swiss Cheese Plant — Photo by Rosario Douglas (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical evergreen vine
Light: Bright indirect light is best for healthy growth.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: 8 to 10 feet indoors
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors, but occasionally in late spring.

Care

Let the top few inches of soil dry out before watering again. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering. Provide a moss pole to support its climbing habit as it grows.

Watering: Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back unruly stems or remove damaged leaves to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Move to a larger pot once the roots begin to circle the bottom.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for decades with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

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

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat if chewed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant well out of reach of children, as chewing on any part can cause immediate pain and swelling.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: None known.
Edibility: The fruit is edible when fully ripe, but all other parts of the plant are toxic and cause severe irritation if ingested.

How to identify it

Large heart shaped leaves
Deep natural leaf splits
Thick aerial roots
Glossy dark green foliage

Height: 2 to 6m
Spread: 1 to 3m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 10 to 20cm
Fruit: green, yellow, Rarely fruits indoors.

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Caused by overwatering or poor drainage.
Spider mites · Tiny pests that thrive in dry indoor air.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, layering
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents. Reduce watering frequency during the cooler months when growth slows down.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided you use a sturdy trellis or moss pole for support.

Stem cuttings

1. Identify a stem with at least one node and a leaf.
2. Cut just below the node using clean shears.
3. Place the cutting in a jar of water or moist potting mix.
4. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Group tropical plants together to create a microclimate that boosts ambient humidity.

Grows well with

Philodendron · They share similar light and humidity requirements.
Peace Lily · They thrive in the same warm, humid indoor conditions.

Similar species

Adanson's Monstera · It has smaller leaves with more frequent holes.

Science

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

It uses aerial roots to climb tall trees in the rainforest to reach higher light levels.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: houseplant, tropical foliage

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves not splitting?: The plant likely needs more bright, indirect light to develop its characteristic holes.
How often should I water it?: Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.

Where the name comes from

The name Monstera comes from the Latin word for monstrous, referring to the large, unusual leaves, while deliciosa refers to its edible fruit.

Good to know

Monstera deliciosa is often called the Swiss Cheese Plant.
It is a hemiepiphyte, meaning it starts life on the ground and climbs trees.
The fruit tastes like a mix of pineapple and banana when perfectly ripe.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on October 27, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.