Taking care of a Swiss Cheese Plant can be a bit tricky, but with the right tips and tricks it can be an easy and rewarding job. Native to Mexico, Colima, and Jalisco, the Swiss Cheese Plant (aka Monstera deliciosa) is an incredibly popular houseplant that definitely has its own look. Its large, fan-shaped leaves are famously full of holes which give them a unique and classic look. With some care and regular maintenance, the Swiss Cheese Plant can be a popular houseplant for years to come.
Taking care of a Swiss Cheese Plant is all about the basics. The main things to consider are light, water, humidity, and temperature.
Light
The Swiss Cheese Plant needs bright, indirect light to thrive. Too much direct sunlight will damage the leaves, so make sure to keep the plant a few feet from the nearest window. If it’s not getting enough light, the leaves will start to droop.
Water
When it comes to water, err on the side of being gentle with the Swiss Cheese Plant. It prefers the soil to be kept slightly moist, so water it every few days with lukewarm water. Make sure not to water the leaves directly, though. That’s a surefire way to cause a fungus to form.
Humidity
The Swiss Cheese Plant likes humidity levels of at least 50%. To create an environment with this level of humidity, mist the leaves with water every day, or group the plant with several other plants to create a kind of humid hothouse.
Temperature
Swiss Cheese Plants prefer warmer temperatures — about 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops too low (under 60 Fahrenheit) for too long a period of time, it can cause serious damage to the leaves and even death.
Taking care of a Swiss Cheese Plant can be a bit of a balancing act, but with the right tips and tricks it’s an easy (and maybe even fun!) job. Now that you know the basics, you can give your Swiss Cheese Plant the care it needs to live a long and healthy life.
Happy Planting!