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Swiss Cheese Plant - Monstera deliciosa. How to look after and care advice and information
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Monstera deliciosa - Swiss Cheese Plant
The Plant: The Monstera is a tough, rubbery climbing plant with
large, heart-shaped but deeply incised leaves. The leaves may
reach 60 cm across. Given sufficient time and space the Swiss
Cheese Plant may grow very tall, climbing easily to the ceiling
of a conservatory, and using its aerial roots to attach to any
available supports. It may produce white flowers, resembling
lilies, and occasionally green, scaly fruit shaped like
cucumbers. The flesh of this fruit is creamy and pulpy, and
tastes of swiss cheese.
Its Needs: Good light but not direct sun for this sub-tropical
climber. The Monstera requires a winter temperature above 10C
with additional humidity in dry conditions. Plant the Swiss
Cheese Plant in enriched organic compost which allows good
drainage.
Care: Feed monthly with a liquid fertiliser through the growing
season. Water sparingly in winter. Mist spray foliage regularly,
and sponge leaves if they become dusty. The larger the pot used
for the Monstera deliciosa the larger the plant will grow. The
main stem of the plant can be cut back to prevent excessive
height but this will encourage side growth. If the aerial roots
become long and straggly they can be tied into the main stem
support, or trailed down into saucers of water to hydrate the
plant. Suitable support should be provided for the Swiss Cheese
Plant to prevent it becoming top-heavy and tipping the container
over. A strong moss-pole is normally used. This can be kept
moist to help with humidity. Watch for Scale pest, mealy bug and
red spider mite. The Monstera can be propagated by air-layering
or by taking cuttings.
Good for: Superb dark green rubbery foliage, (there is also a
variegated form), a vibrant sturdy plant, suitable for a large
empty space with room for climbing. An excellent plant for
growing in a large heated conservatory, with the possibility of
producing the novelty fruit.