Basic Swiss Cheese Plant Care
Swiss Cheese Plants, also known as Monstera, are definitely one of our favourite plants. They bring the wow factor and are pretty easy to care for. Below you will find all the information to properly care for your Monstera.
| Light |
Bright Indirect LightI love the sunshine but too much direct light will damage my leaves. |
| Water |
Water ModeratelyI don’t like my soil to be too dry or too soggy. Little and often is what I’m after. |
| Humidity |
High HumidityI thrive in humid environments so please mist my leaves every so often. |
| Soil |
Potting SoilI need soil specifically for indoor plants as it retains the right amount of water. |
Monstera plants thrive in bright, indirect light
Swiss Cheese Plants won’t do so well in direct sunlight as this will burn their leaves, so make sure they are getting plenty of indirect light. If you find that your Monstera doesn’t have split leaves, this is most often caused by insufficient light. You can find out more about a lack of split leaves in your Monstera plant in our separate post here.
Let your Monstera's soil dry out
We would recommend watering your Monstera once a week, maybe slightly less in winter. Monsteras don’t like sitting in water and prefer to dry out between waterings so maybe stick your finger in the soil before watering just to check they need it. Otherwise, it can quickly lead to root rot.
Avoid repotting your Monstera too often
If you repot your Monstera too often, it may cause some instability in the plant. They don’t mind being a little root-bound! If you feel it is time to repot your Monstera, make sure it is in Spring so that it can adapt to its new home in the growing period.
Propagating your Monstera can be a little tricky
We have written a whole guide on how to propagate your Swiss Cheese Plant so we recommend checking that out. The most important thing when propagating a Monstera is to always take a cutting that has an ariel root attached as this will increase the chances of success.
You must dust your Monstera's leaves
The luscious dark green leaves of your Monstera are very good at attracting and building up dust. But this can be quite unhealthy for your Monstera plant so make sure to dust the leaves or wipe them down with a damp cloth.
Monsteras love a humid environment
Swiss Cheese plants are originally from the rainforest so they thrive in very humid conditions. But to keep them happy in your home, make sure to mist the leaves once a week. It’s better to do it in the mornings so it can evaporate during the day). Check out our full guide to humidity to learn more.
Monstera leaves can be toxic
If your pet ingests part of a Monstera leaf or stem, it can be mildly toxic. It may cause stomach irritation and vomiting so make sure to keep your Monstera out of reach of children and pets.
Monsteras don't do well in cold rooms
When caring for your Swiss Cheese Plant, it is important to take into consideration how warm the room is. As Monsteras are native to tropical areas, you want to try and replicate that warm and humid environment as much as possible.
Swiss Cheese Plant FAQs
Quick and simple answers to the most common questions we see about the Swiss Cheese Plant.
Are Monstera plants easy to care for?
Whilst they aren’t totally low maintenance, Monstera plants aren’t that difficult to care for once you’ve found the right spot for them. Plenty of indirect sunshine, a consistent watering routine and regular misting will keep your Monstera happy!
How much sunlight does my Monstera need?
Monstera plants like bright but indirect light. Keep them away from direct sunshine during summer as it can be a little too intense for them. Whilst they can adapt to lower light levels, you’ll find growth is slower and the leaves won’t have many splits in as they need to capitalise on every bit of sunshine.
Are Monstera plants toxic?
Yes, both the leaves and the stems are mildly toxic and can cause stomach irritation if ingested.
Can a Monstera tolerate full sun?
You want to find somewhere with bright but indirect light for your Monstera. Whilst they can handle direct light during winter, avoid it during the hotter months of the year.
Do Monstera plants all need moss poles?
As they mature, Monstera plants will need a moss pole when grown in your home. This is because they need something to hold on to and climb up.
Why do Monstera plants have split leaves?
There are two reasons why Monstera plants have split leaves. Firstly, is to let sunshine through to the lower parts of the plant and secondly, the splits also help with drainage, to ensure that the water can flow off the leaves.
Common Problems with your Swiss Cheese Plant
Here are some common issues that you might run into. It's important to diagnose any issues early to give your plant the best chance of bouncing back.
Why doesn't my Monstera have splits in its leaves?
If your Monstera is matured and there are no splits in the leaves this will be caused by too little light. Try moving your Monstera to a sunnier spot and the new growth should have splits in. We have written a whole guide on getting splits in your Monstera leaves here.
Why are my Monstera's leaves turning yellow/brown?
Yellow leaves on a Monstera plant are often a symptom of overwatering. Check whether the soil at the bottom of the pot is water-logged and replace accordingly. You can find more information in our guide on fixing yellow leaves.
Why are my Monstera's leaves drooping?
Drooping leaves on a Monstera can either be caused by over or underwatering. The easiest way to check is simply by taking your Monstera out of its pot and checking how damp the soil is. We have written a whole blog post on this here.
Why isn't my Monstera standing up?
Monsteras can grow pretty wildly and not always in the desired direction. The easiest option is to stake your plant with a moss pole to encourage upwards growth.
My Monstera looks as if it is dying
There can be many causes why your Swiss Cheese Plant may be dying. We have written an extensive guide on how to revive your dying Monstera and nurture it back to full health.
Why are my Monster's leaves brown?
Brown leaves on a Swiss Cheese Plant tend to be caused by a few main issues; over- or underwatering, dry air or leaf burn. Check out our guide on brown Monstera leaves for more information on diagnoses and how to fix the problem.
