Monstera adansonii /mɒnsˈtɛɹə/
Common name: Swiss cheese plant · Swiss cheese vine · Five holes plant
Monstera adansonii is a fast-growing climbing vine native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. Its heart-shaped leaves develop distinctive oval holes (fenestrations) as they mature, giving it the nickname Swiss cheese plant.
Care summary
Sun
Bright, indirect light
Water
Water when the top few cm of soil dry
Soil
Airy, chunky, well-draining mix
Hardiness
Zones 10–12
Mature height
Vining to 2–4 m (6–13 ft) with support
Pet safe
Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Stem cuttings root easily in water or moist, airy mix. Cut below a node with at least one leaf, place the bare node in the rooting medium, and pot up once roots are several centimeters long.
Fun facts
- The holes in its leaves are called fenestrations and may help light reach lower leaves in dense jungle.
- Like other aroids, it produces a spathe-and-spadix flower, though rarely indoors.
- It climbs trees in the wild using aerial roots that anchor to bark.