Monstera Adansonii Plant Profile
Monstera Adansonii “Swiss Cheese Plant”
In this post, I’ll be sharing tips for optimal care so you can feel confident adding this beautiful plant to your collection. We’ll look at how to care for the Swiss Cheese plant:
Sunshine Requirements
How to Achieve Ideal Humidity
Soil Type
Watering Frequency
Fertilizer Requirements
Sunshine Requirements
Most plants in the Monstera family grow best in bright, indirect light, Adansonii are no exception. I open the blinds so they can get full morning sun, and in the afternoon I usually lower the blinds and open them at an angle. If you have a big window with intense sunshine, they would probably love it, but using sheer curtains will help reduce the likelihood of burning the leaves.
How to Achieve Ideal Humidity
To keep your vine looking its best, find ways to give it the warmth and humidity it’s most familiar with. (It is after all, a tropical plant) While average indoor humidity is typically sufficient, higher moisture levels help the leaves look vibrant and ensure the plant enough humidity to avoid drying out between waterings. Read the Article: Benefits of using a Humidity Tray & How to Make Your Own
Soil Type
Swiss Cheese plants like to vine, and develop a large root ball in a short amount of time. Don’t be surprised if your happy plant outgrows its pot within a year. They also have Arial roots that will gladly grow into the soil if a vine rests on top of the sediment, easy propagation opportunity! Here’s a soil recipe that works great for this family of plants: How to Make Your Own Monstera Potting Mix
Watering Frequency
Give your Adansonii a thorough watering. Allow the excess water to drain out. Place the plant over a humidity tray. Allow the soil time before watering again, until the first 1-2 inches are dry. Then repeat the process. This plant tends to take in a lot of water, so you’ll want to keep a close eye that it doesn’t dry out. Any drooping of the leaves will be a reminder that it’s probably a little thirsty.
A note about arial roots & guttation:
Arial roots are amazing, and are a sign that your plant is thriving! In the vine family, arial roots are how you get around. They also help absorb some moisture in the air and make it much easier to propagate the plant.
Guttation is the process of the plant purging excess water that it absorbed but cannot use at the moment (To put it simply).
It will form as beautiful little drops on the edges of the leaves. They’re most noticeable early in the morning, especially after a deep watering when the soil is nice and moist.
I’ve actually seen these two features work together in my monstera adansonii at home! The drops eventually fall, and some land on the arial roots below, hydrating them and keeping them healthy. What an amazing design!
Fertilizer Requirements
One mistake I made as a beginner plant enthusiast is not giving fertilizer frequently enough. Swiss Cheese Plants love to have plenty of nutrients, and if you want to promote healthy new leaf growth, you should incorporate fertilizing into your routine. I dilute a tropical blend liquid fertilizer in my watering can and soak all my tropical babies every other time I water
Whatever your schedule, find what works for YOU. Your plants should bring you joy and an opportunity to reset. Find ways to enjoy your jungle without making it more complicated than it has to be.
Here’s a link to my favorite tropical plant fertilizer: Miracle-Gro Tropical Houseplant Food - Liquid Fertilizer for Tropical Houseplants, 8 fl. oz.
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