Easy Tropical Toxic to pets

Swiss Cheese Vine

Monstera adansonii

A tropical vine with leaves perforated by characteristic holes, the Swiss Cheese Vine is a graphic and trendy plant perfect for climbing on a support.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

50–70 %
Temperature

18–28 °C

How to care for your Swiss Cheese Vine

Everything you need to keep your Swiss Cheese Vine healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Monstera adansonii is native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, where it climbs along tree trunks using its aerial roots. Its heart-shaped leaves, pierced with symmetrical oval holes called fenestrations, give it a unique and highly decorative appearance. Smaller and more graceful than its cousin M. deliciosa, this species is ideal for growing in a hanging basket or on a moss pole. Its growth is rapid when given sufficient light and humidity, and it propagates very easily from stem cuttings.

Watering your Swiss Cheese Vine

Every 7 days

Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry. Keep soil lightly moist but never soggy. Reduce watering in winter. Good drainage is essential.

How to know it needs water

Top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry
Leaves start to curl slightly at the edges
Yellowing lower leaves indicate overwatering

How much light a Swiss Cheese Vine needs

Bright indirect light

Bright indirect light for best growth and fenestrations. Tolerates medium light. Avoid direct sun which burns the delicate leaves. More light means more holes in leaves.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 1 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west

Humidity and misting

50–70 %

50–70% Benefits from regular misting. Appreciates higher humidity for optimal growth. Use a pebble tray or humidifier in dry environments.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 14 days

Feed every two weeks during spring and summer at half strength. Monthly in autumn. Stop in winter. Promotes faster growth and more fenestrations.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer (20-20-20) · 5-2-3

Repotting your Swiss Cheese Vine

Every 12 months

Use a chunky, well-draining aroid mix with orchid bark, perlite, and charcoal. Provide a moss pole or trellis for climbing. Go up one pot size.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, pine bark, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots growing from drainage holes
Aerial roots growing excessively looking for substrate
Growth slows despite good conditions

Pruning your Swiss Cheese Vine

Spring or summer when vines become too long or sparse. Cut stems just below a node with aerial root. Each cutting can be rooted in water or sphagnum moss. Pruning encourages branching from lower nodes.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

Contains calcium oxalate crystals. Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting. Mildly irritating for humans.

Good to know

The characteristic holes in Monstera adansonii leaves, called fenestrations, are thought to allow light to pass to lower leaves and help the plant withstand tropical winds.
Unlike Monstera deliciosa, M. adansonii has holes that do not extend to the leaf edge, creating a unique 'Swiss cheese' pattern.

Frequently asked questions about the Swiss Cheese Vine

How do you care for a Swiss Cheese Vine?

Water it every 7 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 50–70 %. Ideal temperature: 18–28 °C. Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry. Keep soil lightly moist but never soggy. Reduce watering in winter. Good drainage is essential.

How often should you water a Swiss Cheese Vine?

Every 7 days Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry. Keep soil lightly moist but never soggy. Reduce watering in winter. Good drainage is essential. How to know it needs water : Top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry ; Leaves start to curl slightly at the edges ; Yellowing lower leaves indicate overwatering.

How much light does a Swiss Cheese Vine need?

Bright indirect light Bright indirect light for best growth and fenestrations. Tolerates medium light. Avoid direct sun which burns the delicate leaves. More light means more holes in leaves. 0 to 1 h a day

Is the Swiss Cheese Vine toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Contains calcium oxalate crystals. Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting. Mildly irritating for humans. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Swiss Cheese Vine leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Swiss Cheese Vine?

Repot every 12 months, ideally in spring. Use a chunky, well-draining aroid mix with orchid bark, perlite, and charcoal. Provide a moss pole or trellis for climbing. Go up one pot size.