As any Swiss cheese aficionado knows, one of the most iconic parts of traditional Swiss cheese is the unique holes that appear in the slices. But did you know that there’s a special plant that helps create those holes? The plant in question is called the ‘Swiss Cheese” Plant –thanks for the creative name, Switzerland!– and it’s vital to getting Swiss cheese just right. We all know how important that is! So how much sun does a Swiss cheese plant need?
While it may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Swiss Cheese plants, it’s actually incredibly important to make sure that these plants get the right amount of sunlight. Too much sun can be a bad thing, just like too little sun can be. Swiss Cheese Plants need plenty of natural light, but not too much direct sunlight. If your Swiss Cheese Plant is starting to look pale or if the stems look spindly, then it probably needs a bit more sun. For the best results, try to find a spot that gets at least four hours of bright but indirect sunlight each day.You may be thinking that four hours seems like a lot for a plant, but trust us on this one–you don’t want to be underdelivering on sunlight to your Swiss Cheese Plant! It’s just like feeding a Swiss person the wrong kind of cheese: it’s a huge travesty that should not be taken lightly. As with any plant, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the leaves. If they’re looking droopy or starting to show signs of discoloration, the Swiss Cheese Plant probably needs a bit more light.
It’s also important to make sure that you’re not feeding your Swiss Cheese Plant with too much direct sunlight. Again, think about feeding someone the wrong kind of cheese: when it comes to direct sunlight, you don’t want to overindulge your Swiss Cheese Plant. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a plant that looks awful and won’t make the perfect Swiss cheese holes.
All in all, the sun is a critical ingredient for any Swiss cheese plant to look its best. Remember, too little or too much sunlight isn’t going to do any favors for your plant–or your cheese! By finding a spot that gets at least four hours of bright but indirect sunlight each day, you can make sure that your plant is getting the right amount of sun to make perfect Swiss cheese. Now, enough about plants–let’s get out there and get some Swiss cheese!