Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Swiss cheese plant.
Monstera deliciosa
Pronounced mon-STAIR-uh de-lis-ee-OH-suh
Also known as 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.
At a glance
- 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
Care
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
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 easily.
Safety
- 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.
How to identify it
- 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
Common problems
- 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.
Growing it
- 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.
Grows well with
- 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.
Similar species
- 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
Through the year
Ecological indicators
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Moisture
- 6/9
- Nutrients
- 5/9
- Salinity
- 1/9
- Light
- 4/9
- Temperature
- 8/9
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Questions people ask
- 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.
Where the name comes from
The name Monstera comes from the Latin word for monstrous, referring to the plant's unusual, large, and perforated leaves.
Good to know
- 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.
Is your swiss cheese plant looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.