Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Check the soil moisture with your finger.
- Inspect the roots for signs of rot.
- Ensure the pot has drainage holes.
Likely causes
Underwatering
Most likelyHow to tell: The leaves look limp and feel soft rather than firm. The soil is completely dry and pulling away from the pot.
What to do: Give the plant a thorough soak until water drains out the bottom. Check the soil every 7 to 10 days and water when the top two inches are dry.
Root Rot
PossibleHow to tell: The leaves droop even when the soil is wet. You might notice a musty smell or yellowing at the base of the stems.
What to do: Remove the plant from its pot and inspect the roots. Trim away any mushy, dark roots and repot into fresh, well draining soil.
Find out what's wrong with your swiss cheese plant
The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.
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When to worry
Drooping is a sign of stress that needs immediate attention. If the leaves stay limp after watering, the roots may be damaged.
Stopping it coming back
Only water when the top two inches of soil are dry and never let the plant sit in standing water.
Swiss Cheese Plant: drooping? Check yours with a photo
Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your swiss cheese plant and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free
Questions people ask
- Does a monstera droop when it needs a bigger pot?
- If the plant is severely root bound, it may struggle to take up water and appear to droop. Check the roots to see if they are circling the bottom of the pot.
- How fast will it recover?
- If the issue is simple underwatering, the leaves should perk up within a few hours of a good soak. Root rot recovery takes much longer.
Guides to these causes
More problems with Swiss Cheese Plant
- Why is my Swiss Cheese Plant getting root rot?
- How do I get rid of pests on my Swiss Cheese Plant?
- Why are my Swiss Cheese Plant leaves turning yellow?
- Why are my monstera's leaf tips turning brown?
- Why is my monstera growing so leggy?
- Why is my monstera losing leaves?
- Why does my monstera have brown spots?
- Why are my monstera leaves curling?
Back to the Swiss Cheese Plant guide
This article was generated with AI on from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.