Cheese Plant
Monstera spp.
Also known as
Swiss cheese plant, Windowleaf
Starr 080731-9572 Monstera deliciosa by Forest & Kim Starr (CC BY 3.0)
Partial Shade
Moderate care
Moderate watering
Tender
H1b
RHS hardiness
10°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
---|---|---|
8m | Max | 2m |
1m | Min | 1m |
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
More images of Cheese Plant
Cheese Plant Overview
Monstera is a genus of evergreen climbing shrubs in the Araceae family, native to the tropics of the Americas. They produce huge showy leaves that are often pinnately-cut, lobed and develop naturally elongated holes as the plant matures. They can have arum-like flowers and are usually grown as houseplants in cool climates. There are varieties with attractive variegated foliage available. They are generally frost-tender so keep above freezing temperatures, plant in a position of full sun and use well-draining soil for optimal growth. Water when the soil has thoroughly dried out for best results. Monstera also do fine potted in an aerated, well-draining soil mix - it's advisable to add moss and perlite to achieve this. Native to tropical rainforests, many species in this genus climb using aerial roots and are classified as epiphytes. These are organisms that don't require a water or soil substrate to grow, surviving instead on other organisms, gleaning nutrition and moisture from the air and their immediate surroundings.
Common problems with Cheese Plant
How to propagate Cheese Plant
Cuttings
Seed
Layering
Budding
Propagation is by leaf bud or stem-tip cuttings in summer.
Special features of Cheese Plant
Attractive leaves
Indoor plant
Pot plant
Other uses of Cheese Plant
Grown for their large handsome leaves.