We all heard about the Monstera deliciosa but have you ever heard about its distant cousin, the Monstera adansonii? Much like their larger relative, they come from the Araceae family. They are tropical perennials that are native to Central and South America. They’re most distinguished by their large, heart-shaped leaves that develop holes, called fenestration, as the plant matures.

Because of their unique appearance, they were given the nickname “Swiss Cheese Vine.” The best thing about these plants is that they can be left to trail and trained to climb. When given the right conditions and environment, these plants are pretty fast growers. They can even reach up to expansive heights! On top of that, they are so easy to care for and they’re not so hard to propagate.

If you want the aesthetics of a Monstera deliciosa but prefer to keep it in a smaller, compact size, the Monstera Adanonsii is the one for you! They’re one of the best plants for bringing in that tropical jungle vibes into your home. Give the proper care and attention, these plants can offer a lot to your home interior. Here’s a simple guide to keeping your Swiss Cheese vine happy and healthy.

Monstera Adansonii Care Tips

These are some of the easiest plants to take care of and can be tolerant of a little bit of neglect. This indoor plant is a tropical ornamental with aerial roots that grow downwards from the stem. They grow in the sparsely lit jungles of South and Central America. Keeping that in mind, let get into the details of taking care of this charming plant:

Light Requirements

Considering this plant's tropical origins, they grow best under bright, indirect light, or partial shade. You don’t want to expose these plants to the sun for too long as the harmful rays may burn their leaves. If you don’t have a spot in your home that will give your plant the light it needs, you can expose them to direct sunlight. Just make sure to limit their exposure to 2-3 hours of sun in the morning.

Watering

As we know now, the Swiss cheese plant is a tropical plant. Oftentimes, these types of plants like to be kept consistently moist but never too wet. It may seem tricky to get the watering just right but one way to do it is by feeling the soil. If the top 1-2 inches of soil feels like it’s almost dry, that’s the best time to give your Swiss Cheese Vine a drink.

Needed Humidity

As we may know, these plants are often found in the jungle and because of this, they thrive on high humidity. To give this plant the humidity it needs, you can try relocating it in places like bathrooms or kitchens. Another is to mist the plant now and then during the mornings. You can also place its pots on top of tray full of pebbles and little water.  If you have the budget for it, we highly recommend getting a humidifier especially when you’re a tropical plant aficionado.

Pests and Diseases

Much like most indoor plants, the Monstera adonsanii can fall prey to different pests and diseases. One of the most notable ones are mealybugs, spider mites, scale, and white fly. Make sure to keep on the lookout for any abnormalities in your plan.

One of the ways you can prevent your plant from getting sick is to ensure that you are giving it enough water. Overwatering not only will it drown your plant, it can also agitate non-active bacteria in the soil. On the account that your plant gets infected, the best thing you can do immediately is to isolate the plant.

After doing so, you can proceed to pruning out diseased parts of your plants. You can also repel insects from coming near with non-toxic insecticides, like neem oil or caster soap. 

Is it Toxic?

Much like its distant cousin, this indoor plant can also be toxic to animals like dogs and cats. This is all due to the "calcium oxalate crystals" found in different parts of the plant, including the stem, leave, and roots. Although this is rarely fatal, it never hearts to take extra precaution. Train your dog or your animal to keep away from a plant like this. If your pet down ends up taking a nibble, here are the symptoms of poisoning that you'll have to look out for:

• Oral irritation
• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pawing at Mouth
• Vomiting

Additional Notes

If you want to keep your Monstera at a compact size, don’t forget to give it a trim. This is especially if you notice that the leaves are starting to look rather dry. Not only will it keep your plant in a manageable proportion, it will also be good for encouraging more new growth.

At the same time, remember to wipe away any dust on your Swiss Cheese Vine’s leaves. Allowing the dirt and dust to settle can clog the pores of the leave, preventing transpiration. It will also help your plants to receiver more light and make them look more lush and healthy.