Monstera adansonii, or Swiss cheese vine, is a popular houseplant, and well, how can't it be? Its unique leaves with perforations that create an awesome leaf pattern make this plant so interesting. Also, we cannot forget to mention, it is so low maintenance, easy to care for, and long lasting.
Here are some tips to make your plant grow and thrive in your home.
Light:
The Swiss cheese vine can grow in medium to bright indirect sunlight. It will grow faster in brighter light conditions. Always shield from sun, if placed outside, since this can damage the leaves.
Water:
It's important to not let this plant sit in soggy potting mix, since this will lead to root rot. Water only when top two inches of the soil feel dry, and it is better to let dry a bit between waterings than to overwater. It loves rain water, it makes it have more new leaves. It is important to water thoroughly, enough so it drains water through its drainage, especially if you're watering only once a week.
Soil:
Monsteras in general need a well draining potting mix. We recommend to use an indoor potting mix, with peat moss and perlite or vermiculite, or create your own mix half peat moss, half perlite. This mix helps to retain moisture without rotting the roots.
Food:
If your plant was just repotted, start fertilizing in 6 months, since the potting mix will still have enough nutrients. You can add then, slow release fertilizer and forget about it for the next few months once again. If you prefer to use fertilizer diluted in water, then you can fertilize once a month.
Repotting:
Repot once a year to give it more space to grow. Always use potting with drainage holes.
Propagation:
Monstera adansonii is very easy to propagate. You can propagate in water or in soil. Water propagation is best if you don't have time to keep the soil constantly moist, plus you get to see the roots growing! Soil propagation is more efficient, since the plant gets use to its potting mix and it settles faster than growing in water, and then changing to soil. Either way, it is important to cut the stem cuttings where it has nodes, and roots will start growing out of these nodes. We'll do a more specific post for Monstera adansonii propagation, very soon, so stay tuned!
Toxicity:
Monsteras are toxic to cats, dogs and humans if ingested. Signs of intoxication in pets include: intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing.
Facts:
•Monstera adansonii is native from Central and South America
•It grows larger leaves if it climbs.
•It can grow in water, without the need of planting in potting mix, just change water once a week.
