The Monstera Adansonii, or Swiss Cheese Vine plant, is a beauty to behold. It's rare to find a plant with such unique foliage - large and small holes randomly dotting the leaves, not unlike a piece of Swiss cheese. But unlike Swiss cheese, these holes are not the result of bug bites. They're actually natural fenestrations, which oval-shaped and hollowed out. As the plant matures, its juvenile leaves turn from solid to increasingly holed. It's believed that in the wild, these fenestrations serve an important purpose: they let light pass through to the lower parts of the plant, encouraging photosynthesis. This, in turn, helps the plant withstand strong winds by making it more flexible. All in all, the Monstera Adansonii is a fascinating and gorgeous plant - well worth your attention!
Monstera Adansonii is a climbing and vining plant that is native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Also known as the Swiss cheese plant, it gets its name from the large, perforated leaves that are characteristic of the species. Monstera Adansonii typically grows on tree trunks or other support structures in search of water and light, but it can also be grown in a pot without a support structure. The plant will need some sort of support if you want it to climb, however, such as a moss pole or trellis. The higher Monstera Adansonii climbs, the larger the leaves and bigger the fenestration.
Monstera Adansonii used to be a rare plant among collectors but as its popularity increases, collectors are looking for rarer mutations of this plant. The rarest Monstera Adansonii is the Variegated Monstera Adansonii which comes in the Tricolor or Aurea varieties. These plants are highly sought after by collectors due to their unique coloring. So if you're looking for a truly unique houseplant, consider adding a Variegated Monstera Adansonii to your collection.
Monstera Adansonii Care
Watering
Water every 3-5 days when top 2 - 3" of soil is dry. Let soil dry out between watering.
Light
Medium indirect sunlight or 6-8 hours under grow lights.
Temperature
60°F - 75°F
Soil Mix
Potting Soil, Peat Moss, Perlite, Orchid Bark
Humidity
Keep humidity medium at 60 - 75%.
Fertilizer
Every 2 weeks in summer and 12 weeks in winter
Toxicity
Monstera Adansonii is toxic to pets and children if ingested.
