Monstera Adansonii - All you need to know
The Monstera Adansonii a.k.a Swiss cheese plant is a tropical ornamental typically grown as a houseplant. Its leaves develop holes and resembles Swiss cheese that's why it's called Swiss Cheese plant. You can make your desk or room beautiful with this monstera.
Taking care is easy 😌
The Swiss cheese plant notoriously easy to care for and pretty straightforward. If the proper conditions are maintained, offering up eye-catching beauty and interest for not a lot of effort. Its aerial roots growing downwards from the stem like golden pothos. It will look best in a hanging basket or in a pot on a high shelf or somewhere else where its trailing vines can be shown off to advantage without getting in the way.
The roots brace against the ground or against any available support like, Moss stick - moss stick can be used as additional support to create stunning displays with this plant. Rope - It loves to climb up, so a simple rope can help it to climb up as it has a vine-like tendency. Stake - In the wild, it will use its air roots to push itself upward onto an adjoining tree or woody vine; when growing it as a houseplant, you can simulate this by inserting a stick in the center of the pot.
Light for Swiss Cheese Plant
The Swiss cheese plant belongs to tropical origins so, they grow best in bright, indirect light, or partial shade. They're used to thriving under the cover of large trees in the jungle, and can easily burn if exposed to direct sunlight for a longer period of time. So you can keep this plant in the bedroom, washroom where there is no harsh sunlight. If direct sunlight is unavoidable, limit their exposure to just two or three hours.
Soil for Swiss Cheese Plant
Swiss cheese plants grow the best peat-based which will help trap moisture in the soil without allowing it to become waterlogged. A pot with large drainage holes at its base is recommended. For taking extra care you can consider buying a ph level indicator and maintain the soil pH level between 5.5 and 7.0, for strong growth.
Water for Swiss Cheese Plant
Swiss cheese plants like to be consistently moist, but not soggy. They also like high humidity, which can especially be a challenge in winter, so consider using a humidifier. Yellowing leaves are a common issue and indicate that something about your watering schedule is off. Test the soil with a finger before you water: at least the top inch should be dry.
Temperature and Humidity to maintain for Swiss Cheese Plant
These deep-jungle plants loves to grow on rain forest as there it find lots of moisture, very high humidity and high temperatures, so it makes sense that the most successful Monsteras are often grown in a conservatory or greenhouse environment. A good spot will have to be a well-lit, warm, and humid bathroom or kitchen, and mist the plant frequently if possible. Additionally, you can also place a humidifier nearby to keep the air moist.
What Fertilizer can we use for the Swiss Cheese Plant
It does not require much fertilization, once you've potted or repotted the plant, wait at least four to six months to fertilize it, as general potting soil typically already has slow-release fertilizer mixed in. After that, fertilize your Monstera plant monthly, using an all-purpose liquid fertilizer like sea-weed solution that has been diluted as prescribed.
Swiss Cheese Plant is Toxic
The Swiss cheese plant can be toxic to small animals but rarely fatal. Animals like dogs and cats can get affected so, it's still important to contact a vet if your pet experiences any of the symptoms Oral irritation, Excessive drooling, Difficulty swallowing, Pawing at the mouth, Vomiting. The issue is due to the insoluble calcium oxalate crystals found in all parts of the plant, including its leaves, stems, and roots.
Propagating Swiss Cheese Plant
Propagation is best by using stem cuttings which has a root. Place them inside a glass jar full of water. Keep changing the water every week and keep them for few weeks until you see the desired root growth. Remember, it can take a while for new cuttings to root, so be patient and keep them in a moist, warm area. Once a network of roots appears, plant the cuttings in potting soil.
Potting and Repotting Swiss Cheese Plant
Repot your Swiss cheese plant annually as your plant grows. Try to keep them in a nutritious soil mixture as it is very much needed for good growth.
Common Pests and Diseases
Like many houseplants, the Swiss cheese plant may have to contend with a variety of common pests, such as mealybugs, spider mites, scale, and whitefly. Luckily, these pests are rarely fatal and can be treated with a non-toxic insecticide or neem oil. Additionally, you should keep an eye out for signs of common diseases on your plant, such as root rot, rust, powdery mildew, and blight.
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