The dramatic Monstera Deliciosa is a huge hit among plant parents today. Nicknamed as ‘swiss cheese plant’, they have become infamous because of their monstrous leaves and holes in between. These holes are equally distributed on both sides of the leaves and make these plants even more unique.
A native of Central America, monstera deliciosa are found in the depths of the rainforest. Monstera has a bigger surface area which allows more light to reach the forest floor. The holes present in monstera help the plant to filter out the water and hence got named as hurricane plant as well.
If you love to indulge in gardening during your leisure time, then monsteras are the answer to it. They are a big-time seller under the category of houseplants as they give a fancy touch to indoors. They also act like a vine and can easily climb over a trellis in your garden.
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How Is Monstera Deliciosa Different From Other Monsteras?
Monstera is basically a tropical plant that has variants within the plant family. Found in the rain forests of Central America, these can easily be confused with other monstera plants. The majority of the monsteras look identical though one feature makes m deliciosa stand apart from others. Yes, you guessed it right. It is their distinctive holes on their leaves.
Monstera plant can at times be confused with a split-leaf philodendron. As the name suggests, both belong to the same plant family and species with big lush leaves. However, the split-leaf philodendron lack holes in them. The holes are a distinct feature of monstera deliciosa and make it a star plant among other monsteras.
Now that you know the difference between the monstera plants, it is important to know how to take care of these plants. Monstera deliciosa is usually an adaptable indoor plant, but certain tips can come in handy while planting them.
How To Care For Monstera Plant Indoor
As mentioned before in the content, monstera is usually an adaptable plant and requires minimal care. However, if you plan to get them to redecorate your home as an indoor plant, there are certain nuances to be kept in mind.
1. Sunlight
Being a native of the tropical forest, they can thrive on low to medium light conditions. They do not require direct or harsh sunlight, and indirect light in your home will work best for them. Always keep a check on the level of bright indirect sunlight it regularly receives to keep them lush and healthy.
2. Space
The swiss cheese plant is quite needy when it comes to occupying space indoors. As the growth of the plant keeps changing, it will ask for more and more room to accommodate itself. One needs to be extra careful and find a perfect spot for the monstera deliciosa rather than cramping them in one corner.
3. Potting Method
Following few potting techniques is crucial when you keep monsteras as houseplants. Plant your monstera in a pot with a drainage hole. A proper drainage hole is a must for them to keep the roots healthy. Add some sphagnum moss to the soil to increase the nutrient level.
4. Water
In addition to ample sunlight and the right amount of manure, the water content needs to be maintained. Your monstera deliciosa will not ask for too much water. These plants generally prefer to keep a balance between getting too dry or moist. Water them an average of once a week and wait for the water to seep through the drainage holes.
5. Pruning And Cleaning
Since this swiss cheese plant can grow at a tremendous speed, it is always recommended to trim the leaves. People at times use a trellis or a stake to provide support to the plant vine. Make sure that you clean the leaves of the monstera with a damp cloth since the upper part of the leaves is quite large.
6. Fertilizer
If you have a monstera as a houseplant, then you have little to worry about fertilizing it. In their potting mix, try using a houseplant fertilizer which would lead to healthy plant growth. Even during the waterings of the plant, try adding little fertilizer to the soil, and your job is done.
7. Humidity
Monstera deliciosa requires everything in a moderate range, and the same goes with the level of humidity. They can love normal room temperature when kept as houseplants. If the humidity is high, then it is recommended to sprinkle some water using a spray bottle.
8. Soil
Monsteras have aerial roots and hence require moderately moist soil. Also, it is suggested by people to keep the soil airy and not feed extra water to the soil. Potting soil for these plants ranges from sandy to moderately moist.
9. Pets And Pests
If your monstera is indoors in a pot or a beautiful vase, keep it safe from the reach of your pets. They have a certain content of calcium oxalate crystals, which can be irritable to the dogs or cats if they chew on the leaves.
Pests are a rarity with the swiss cheese plant. Even then, once you decide to keep them as part of your houseplants collection, keep an eye on these visitors. Sprinkle direct water on the leaf and keep them fresh throughout the day.
Propagation Of Monstera Deliciosa
If you are planning to plant more of these lush green species of plant, then you always have the option to propagate.
- By cutting: Try cutting the node of the plant with its aerial root. The root of the plant will help in cultivating more of these for the future. With the roots intact, try to water them occasionally till you see the growth of new roots.
- Air Layering: This is another method to propagate the monstera plant. Instead of placing your swiss cheese plant in a jar, try using this technique of directly placing them in the soil rather than placing them in a container of water.
Toxicity Of Monstera Deliciosa
If you are a pet parent, make sure that they are kept at a distance from monstera plants. They can cause irritation if they consume the leaves and hence should be cautious.
Also, the ripe fruits of these plants are edible, but they can cause allergies in some. Though these conditions are minor, you should be alert when you keep them as a houseplant.
If you are planning to add this to your list of indoor plants, then no need to panic. They are completely safe and not fatal.
Outdoor Vs. Indoor
While Monstera is a good option for a houseplant, they grow happily outdoors with indirect light. Once it is kept out in a moss pole or a pot, the humidity should be kept in mind. While gardening, figure out space that receives bright indirect sunlight.
Surprisingly, they even bare flowers when planted outside, which turns into fruit. This rarely occurs for the houseplant. If you are planning to decorate your interiors with these plants, ensure your rooms have ample light. There are few care guides available and recommended for you before you invest in these plants.
Swiss Cheese Plant Decor Guide
These versatile and beautiful plants are a trending decor plant currently. The lush green leaves with beautiful, quirky pots can be a game-changer for your interiors. Be it in your living room or the corner of your bedroom, monstera deliciosa is value for your money.
You can be at ease since they neither expect water around the clock nor require highly fertilized soil. Place them near your couch with moderate light, and you can be at peace. The swiss cheese plant usually stands out because of its unique geometric structured leaves.
They are very commonly used in other products like wall art, wallpapers as clothing prints, and many more. The leaf of this swiss cheese plant makes a good ensemble for art. Known by different names, they are a great item for indoor decor. These products are now easily available, even online, for you to purchase.
Here Are A Few Tips To Keep In Mind
- Repotting: The swiss cheese plant needs to be repotted every 18-24 months. Transfer the plant to the same pot in order to avoid flooding of water. An increase in the level of moisture may cause root rot.
- Growth: As mentioned earlier in this article, you can always take support of a trellis or a moss pole if the monstera outgrows in height.
- Proper Drainage System: The pot used for these plants should be handled with utmost care. It should be ensured that there is no extra moisture floating on the surface.
Summing Up
The swiss cheese plant, as the name suggests, is very lively and aesthetically attractive. The leaf of these plants is the highlight. Be it light monsteras or dark shades of the leaf, they are both a huge hit among plant lovers. As mentioned on this page, monstera deliciosa can completely change the overview of your house and add much-needed color to its interiors.
James Fields is the founder of Gardener to Farmer. His passion for gardening goes back to his childhood days when he would visit his grandfather during the holidays and help him with the plants in the backyard. This has now translated to creating a dependable resource for gardening.