Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) Indoor Care, Propagation & Common Problems

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Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant) thrives in medium to bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing period.

Monstera deliciosa is one of the popular Monstera varieties with large, deeply perforated leaves which are a sight to behold in any space. The leaves in a young plant are smaller and entire with no lobes or holes but soon produce lobed and fenestrate leaves as they grow.

Swiss Cheese Plant is among the bold statement plants for occupying large empty spaces. To produce an upright plant, provide a moss stick to support it and also push the aerial roots into the soil.

The name 'deliciosa' means 'delicious' referring to the edible fruit. 'Monstera' means 'monstrous' referring to the size that this plant can grow to, over 30 feet (9 metres) in the wild.

The common name 'Swiss Cheese Plant' refers to the holes which develop in the leaves similar to those found in some Swiss cheeses. Other common names are fruit salad plant and fruit salad tree in reference to its edible fruit which tastes like fruit salad. Monster fruit, Mexican bread fruit, windowleaf among other names.

Botanical name: Monstera deliciosa
Family: Araceae
Common names: Swiss Cheese Plant, Split Leaf Philodendron, Monster Fruit, Mexican Breadfruit, Windowleaf Plant

Origin

Monstera deliciosa is native to tropical forests of Southern Mexico, South of Panama where it grows as an epiphyte on trees. It is one of the popular tropical foliage plants that you can grow in the home, office or any other space.

Size

Swiss Cheese Plant is among the fast-growing plants and can grow to a height of 20 feet or more when given a moss pole and the right growing conditions.

Varieties

Various varieties of Monstera deliciosa are available. The form Albo-Variegata has white and cream lines or patches on the leaves.

Aurea-Variegata bears yellow or lime variegations on dark-green, perforated leaves.

Thai Constellation bears cream-colored splatters on the green leaves which resemble a starry night sky and this gives it the name 'Constellation'.

Is Monstera deliciosa toxic?

All parts except the fruit of Monstera deliciosa are mildly toxic to humans and toxic to pets as outlined by ASPCA. If ingested, they will cause pain and swelling in the mouth, tongue and lips, vomiting, excessive drooling and difficulty in swallowing.

Invasiveness

Swiss Cheese Plant has been introduced to many tropical areas and has become mildly invasive species in Hawaii, Seychelles, Ascension Island and Society Islands.

Where to Buy

Monstera deliciosa are a pleasant addition to your collection. You may obtain these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care Monstera deliciosa Indoors

To care for Monstera deliciosa indoors, provide medium to bright indirect light, warmth of 18-29⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Swiss Cheese Plant care requires regular pruning to keep it neat, to discourage pest and disease infestations and to encourage a bushy growth. Repotting is done annually as it is a fast growing plant which requires adequate room for growth. Keep reading for a detailed account on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

How often should I water Monstera deliciosa?

Water your Monstera deliciosa liberally in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting and yellowing.

Decrease watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping and yellowing of leaves.

Only water with room temperature to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth. Use chlorine-free water like rainwater to avoid staining and browning of leaf edges and tips.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.

Light Requirements

How much light does Monstera deliciosa need?

Monstera deliciosa grows best in medium to bright indirect light (filtered light). Position it next to a sunless window or near a large, brightly-lit window. Protect it from direct sunrays with a light curtain or sheer to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Swiss Cheese Plant produces small leaves and spindly leaf-stalks if the light is too low and it stops growing in deep shade. If the natural lighting is not adequate, you may instal full spectrum grow lights to supplement it.

Every so often, rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives adequate light from all sides for uniform growth and prevent leggy growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Swiss Cheese Plant prefers a warmth of 18-29⁰C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperatures which can cause reduced growth, yellowing and drooping.

Monstera deliciosa flourishes in a humidity of 50-55%. If the air is too dry, the plant will develop brown leaf tips and edges. To heighten humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

What is the best fertilizer for Monstera deliciosa?

Feed your Monstera deliciosa with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to promote growth. Stop feeding in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.

Potting Mix

What is the best potting mix for Monstera deliciosa?

The best potting mix for Monstera deliciosa should be a rich, airy and fast-draining soil to prevent waterlogging while providing the required nutrients. A potting mix designed for Monsteras and those designed for aroids are ideal for this plant.

Repotting

When to repot Monstera deliciosa?

Repot Monstera deliciosa every 1-2 years in the beginning the growing season (spring to early summer) as the roots require adequate room to grow. Use a pot 2-3 sizes larger and one that has a drainage hole. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these ceramic pots with a drainage hole on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Monstera deliciosa entails removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant tidy as well as discourage pests and diseases.

If the plant becomes too large and unruly, cutback the stems to the desired level to rejuvenate growth. The stems can be used to propagate new plants.

Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pest and disease infestations.

Monstera deliciosa Propagation

Monstera deliciosa propagation is best done at the beginning of the growing period by use of stem cuttings or by air layering. The stem cuttings can be rooted either in soil or in water.

1. Propagating Monstera deliciosa from stem cuttings in water

1. Take a stem cutting from a healthy plant by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. Just one leaf node with the leaf is enough to propagate a new plant.


2. Dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


3. Place the cutting in a jar containing plain water while ensuring that at least one leaf node is under water.


4. Position the set up in a well-lit spot away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


5. Change the water every 5-7 days to minimize bacterial and fungal growth.


6. Once adequate roots have developed, plant the cutting in soil and place in a well-lit, warm place to enhance rooting.


7. Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating Monstera deliciosa from stem cuttings in soil

1. Take a stem cutting from a healthy plant by cutting at a point just below an aerial root. Just one leaf node with the leaf is enough to propagate a new plant.


2. Insert the cutting in moist well-drained soil. Ensure the rooting container has proper drainage to avoid getting soggy soil.


3. Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.


4. Allow the new plant to be well established before transplanting afterwhich you can begin routine care.

3. Propagating Monstera deliciosa by air layering

There are two methods of air layering Monstera deliciosa.

Method 1

1. One method consists of notching the stem of a healthy stem and coating the notch with a rooting hormone to promote rooting.


2. Surround the notched area with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.


3. After the roots have formed sever the stem just below the covered part.


4. Remove the polythene and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist free-draining soil.


5. Place in a warm, brightly-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established afterwhich you can begin routine care.

Method 2

1. The second way involves coating the stem with a rooting hormone at a node. Surround the node with damp moss and then cover it with a polythene film or clear plastic wrap.


2. After the roots have formed sever the stem just below the covered part.


3. Remove the polythene and carefully pot the rooted cutting in moist free-draining soil.


4. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established afterwhich you can begin routine care.

Monstera deliciosa Problems & Remedies

Swiss cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa) common problems are yellow leaves, lack of perforation, brown leaf tips, leggy growth, drooping leaves, weeping leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Yellowing leaves

Monstera deliciosa yellowing leaves are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, dry air, exposure to direct sunlight or aging.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out. Do not water on a schedule.

Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Too little light: Position the plant in medium to bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom.

Exposure to direct sunlight: Shield the plant from direct sunshine with a light curtain or move it to a shadier spot to prevent sunscorching.

Aging: It is natural for the old leaves to turn yellow and drop as the plant matures.

Lack of perforation

Lack of perforation on Monstera deliciosa is caused by immaturity, inadequate light, drafts, inconsistent watering, nutrients deficiency and plant height.

How to fix it

Immaturity: The young leaves may not be perforated.

Inadequate light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, drafty windows, windy doors, heat sources among others to maintain a warmth of 18-29⁰C.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Plant height: In tall plants, lack of perforation is likely due to failure of water reaching the uppermost leaves. Push the aerial roots into the compost or use a moist support to supply water and nutrients to the upper leaves.

Brown tips and edges

Brown tips and edges on Monstera deliciosa are caused by low humidity, being pot-bound, salts buildup or pests infestations.

How to fix it

Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Being pot-bound: Repot the plant into a pot 2-3 sizes larger than the current one. Make sure that it has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging.

Salts buildup: Flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.

Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth on Monstera deliciosa is caused by too little light or overwatering.

How to fix it

Too little light: Move the plant to a more brighter spot where it will receive medium to bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Overwatering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out completely.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Monstera deliciosa are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil or temperature stress.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water when the the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts to maintain a warmth of 18-29⁰C.

Weeping at the leaf edges

Weeping at the leaf edges on Monstera deliciosa is due to too wet soil. Stop watering the plant and thereafter allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.

Pests

Common pests on Monstera deliciosa are mealybugs, scales, aphids, and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the infested plant to minimize spread to other plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as recommended by the manufacturers.


3. Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.


4. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to raise humidity to depress the pests infestations.

Diseases

Monstera deliciosa is prone to leaf spot disease which is prevalent in warm humid conditions coupled with poor air circulation. The disease is characterized by brown, soft leaf spots.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with a fungicidal solution as per the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Avoid wetting the leaves during watering.


4. Ensure good air circulation for the plant to discourage the disease.

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