Pocket Botanist
Check these first
- Observe how much light the plant gets throughout the day.
- Check if the plant is leaning toward a light source.
- Look for a moss pole or stake to provide support.
Likely causes
Insufficient Light
Most likelyHow to tell: The stems are long and thin with large gaps between the leaves. The plant leans heavily toward the nearest window.
What to do: Move your monstera to a spot with brighter indirect light. A south or east facing window is usually ideal for healthy, compact growth.
Lack of Support
Most likelyHow to tell: The plant looks floppy and struggles to hold its own weight upright. The stems are growing horizontally rather than vertically.
What to do: Install a moss pole or a sturdy stake in the pot. Gently tie the main stems to the support to encourage upward growth.
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.
Scan with your phone's camera to get the app
Or go to pocketbotanist.app/get on your phone
When to worry
It is normal for monsteras to grow wide as they mature. It is only a problem if the stems are weak and cannot support the leaves.
Stopping it coming back
Provide plenty of bright indirect light and use a support structure early on.
Swiss Cheese Plant: leggy growth? 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
- Can I prune a leggy monstera?
- Yes, you can prune back long stems to encourage bushier growth. Always cut just above a leaf node.
- Will it grow back if I move it?
- New growth will be more compact once the plant gets more light. Old, leggy stems will not shrink, but they will stay healthy.
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 drooping?
- 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.