Monstera deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa, more commonly known as the Swiss cheese plant, is a climbing evergreen native to the tropical forests of southern Central America.  Large, glossy heart-shaped leaves develop their characteristic holes as the plant matures.  Younger juvenile plants usually lack the leaf fenestrations, while the mature plants will have so many that they look like Swiss cheese.  The sizeable foliage is supported by numerous aerial roots that feed into the large stems and enable them to climb.  Cream colored flowers bloom on a long spadix and are surrounded by a white, boat-shaped spathe.  These beautiful blooms produce fruit when pollinated, yielding a cob of hexagonal green scales that cover edible banana-textured insides.  All parts of the Swiss cheese plant are toxic, including the unripe fruit, which takes a minimum of 10 months to ripen.  When the scales become loose and the inside turns yellow, the uniquely flavored fruit is edible.  Swiss cheese plants do not typically flower when grown indoors.  

Copious bright, indirect sunshine is ideal for the Swiss cheese plant; consider planting under a tree or awning that will take the majority of the oppressive midday heat, or directly in the light of a window if planted inside.  When potting, it is strongly recommended to use a peat-based potting mix and a deep pot with many drain-holes.  When watering a potted plant, fill it until the water drains through, then discard the excess water.  Both indoor and outdoor Swiss cheese plants need their soil to dry out partially between waterings; limit the frequency to once every 1-2 weeks, and reduce it further during the winter and fall.  Feed Swiss cheese plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer every three weeks during the growing season.  If the aerial roots are becoming messy, tuck them back into their container or trim them if absolutely necessary.

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3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa

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