Moss Pole
Provide a moss pole or trellis to encourage larger Monstera adansonii leaves and more natural vertical growth. This mimics a climbing habit used in its native forest habitat.
Swiss Cheese Vine Care (Monstera adansonii)
Also known as: Swiss cheese vine, Adanson's monstera, Swiss cheese plant, five holes plant, monkey mask
About Swiss Cheese Vine
Monstera adansonii is one of the most popular tropical houseplants for beginners and enthusiasts alike. This complete care guide covers everything you need to know, from light and watering to propagation and common pests. It develops a vining or trailing growth habit, which makes it popular for hanging baskets or supports.
Also known as the monkey mask, it grows in the humid rainforests of Central and South America. The plant looks similar to its “sister,” Monstera deliciosa, and, like this one, it can grow to 3-5 feet (0.9-2 m) indoors.
As it grows, note that it can be sensitive to low humidity and irregular watering. Read the article below to learn how to care for Adanson's monstera at home.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom:Plantae
- Phylum:Tracheophyta
- Class:Liliopsida
- Order:Alismatales
- Family:Araceae
- Genus:Monstera
- Species:adansonii
Main Plant Requirements
Care Difficulty
Easy Care
Light Preference
Partial Shade
Water Requirements
Moderate Water
Temperature Preference
Tropical / Frost Sensitive
Hardiness Zone
10–12
Soil Texture
Loamy, Organic-rich
Soil pH
Acidic (5.5–6.5), Slightly acidic (6.5–7.0)
Soil Drainage
Moist but well-drained
Fertilization
Moderate (every 2–4 weeks)
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How to Care for the Swiss Cheese Vine
Daily bright, indirect light provides the ideal conditions for this species.
- Provide 2-6 hours of indirect light daily, as the plant thrives in filtered light or dappled shade.
- It tolerates partial shade but may develop smaller leaves and slower growth if light levels are too low.
- During winter, move the Swiss cheese vine closer to the brightest available light source to compensate for reduced daylight hours.
Monstera adansonii requires moist but not waterlogged soil, with moderate watering adjusted to seasonal growth cycles. Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil has dried out, typically every 5-7 days during spring through summer. In fall and winter, water every 10-14 days.
Warm conditions suit this tropical climber best, reflecting its origins in the humid rainforests of Central and South America.
- Active growth occurs between 65-85°F (18-29°C), but temperatures above 90°F (32°C) increase transpiration stress.
- Growth slows below 60°F (15°C), and sustained exposure below 50°F (10°C) causes blackened leaf edges, root shock, and potential plant death.
- In USDA zones below 10, bring outdoor plants inside before nighttime temperatures drop below 55°F (13°C).
High ambient moisture is a crucial requirement for Monstera adansonii. An ideal humidity range of 60-80% supports proper leaf development. The plant tolerates 40-50% humidity but may show slower growth or crisp leaf tips in dry air.
Tip: Increase the level of humidity with misting, pebble trays, grouping plants, or a humidifier.
A loose, airy substrate that retains some moisture while draining well suits the Swiss cheese vine best.
- Use a mix of 40% potting soil, 30% perlite or pumice, 20% orchid bark, and 10% coco coir to replicate the organic-rich conditions.
- Make sure excess water drains quickly, as compacted or heavy soils can lead to the rotting of roots.
- Soil pH should be 6.0-7.0; values outside this range impair nutrient uptake.
An adaptable climber, Monstera adansonii grows well in containers if they support root development and vertical structure. Choose a pot at least 10-12 inches (25-30 cm) deep with drainage holes, and empty saucers promptly after watering. Install a moss pole or trellis at potting time, as the stems become top-heavy and require support.
Tip: Choose terracotta pots, as they reduce the risk of overwatering by releasing moisture through their walls.
Fertilization supports steady growth, but shouldn't be intensive for Monstera adansonii.Â
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer (NPK 20-20-20 or similar) at half-strength every 2-4 weeks from spring through summer.
- Reduce feeding to once every 6-8 weeks in the fall and stop in winter.
- Avoid applying fertilizer to dry soil: water first to prevent root burn from concentrated salts.
Pruning your Swiss cheese vine helps control its size and shape and is usually done during active growth in spring or summer. Remove yellowing and damaged stems to improve airflow, and trim long vines above a node to encourage branching.
Monstera adansonii needs repotting when roots outgrow the pot, typically every 1-2 years.
- Repot in spring, when the plant can recover quickly from root disturbance.
- Move up only one pot size, 2-3 inches (5-7 cm) larger in diameter, to avoid excess soil retaining moisture around underdeveloped roots.
- After repotting, stop fertilizing for 4-6 weeks and keep the plant in warm conditions to minimize transplant stress.
Stem cuttings are the most reliable and widely used method for propagating Swiss cheese vine. Do this in spring or early summer.
- Take a cutting with at least one node and one leaf and trim the stem to 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) in length.
- Place cuttings in water or moist substrate with temperatures around 70-80°F (21-27°C).
- Provide bright but not direct light to support steady root formation without stressing the cutting.
Swiss cheese vine is frost-sensitive and cold-intolerant. It requires active management in winter to prevent cold damage, so keep temperatures above 55°F (13°C) and place the pots in the warmest available spot as far away from drafts and windows as possible.
Overwatering
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Care Tips
Common Pests and Diseases
Spider Mites
These small arachnids prefer warm conditions and colonize the undersides of leaves. They produce fine webbing and cause pale stippling or bronzing across the Monstera adansonii leaf surface.
Solution
Increase humidity to deter infestations, then wash affected leaves thoroughly with a strong jet of water.
Persistent cases respond well to repeated applications of neem oil or insecticidal soap on Monstera adansonii every 5-7 days.
Mealybugs
These soft-bodied insects cluster in leaf axils and along stems. They secrete a white, waxy coating while feeding on plant sap, which causes yellowing, distorted growth, and sticky honeydew residue.
Solution
Remove visible colonies manually with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Then, treat Monstera adansonii with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
Repeat the procedure weekly for 3-4 weeks.
Brown Marks on the Leaves
There’s too much bright, direct sun for your plant. In nature, the Swiss cheese vine prefers the filtered light beneath the tree canopy.
Solution
Move the plant out of direct sun. Existing scorch marks won’t recover, but new growth should appear healthy.
Remove severely damaged leaves if needed.
Scale Insects
These immobile, shell-covered insects attach to stems and leaf undersides. They extract sap and cause yellowing, stunted growth, and a sticky residue that can promote sooty mould development.
Solution
Scrape off visible scale with a soft brush or fingernail, then apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to all stem surfaces.
Repeat every 7-10 days until no live insects remain.
Interesting Facts
Came From 1763
The genus was established in 1763 by the French botanist Michel Adanson, and Monstera adansonii was later formally described by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott in 1830. Commonly known as Adanson’s monstera, the species was named in honor of Adanson.
The genus name comes from Latin, meaning “monstrous” or “unusual,” referring to the striking fenestrations characteristic of these plants.
No Holes for Young Plants
Young Monstera adansonii species produce entire, unfenestrated leaves. That's a developmental shift known as heteroblasty.
The growth-variance benefit of fenestration becomes advantageous only once the plant is large and fast-growing enough that missing a sunfleck incurs a meaningful cost.
Why Does It Need Leave Holes?
Fenestrated leaves actually attract more herbivory than intact leaves.
However, the primary confirmed function of the holes is to enhance water delivery to the roots via stemflow channeling, not to provide wind resistance or deter herbivores.
Did you know?
FAQs about Swiss Cheese Vine
Yes, it can grow outdoors in suitable climates. Swiss cheese vine thrives outside in warm, humid regions within USDA zones 10-12, where temperatures stay above 55°F (13°C). In cooler areas, it can be placed outdoors during warm months but should be moved inside before temperatures drop.
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