All About Monstera deliciosa ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’

Monstera deliciosa, or ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’ as some call it, is a tropical plant from the Araceae family. Its name comes from the Latin meaning “abnormal” because of its odd, perforated leaves that are often punched through with holes. This mighty vining plant is grown indoors in temperate climates but can be grown outdoors in zones 10 and 11.

Meet Your Match:

• Nickname: Swiss Cheese Plant
• About the Family: The Monstera deliciosa is a member of the Araceae family, so it is a relative of both philodendron and pothos plants.
• Understanding the Family Tree: Araceae (Family), Monstera (Genus), Monstera deliciosa (Species)
• Hometown: Monstera deliciosa is native to tropical forests of southern Mexico and Panama.

How to Care for Your Monstera deliciosa:

• Watering: All soil to slightly dry out in between waterings.
• Humidity: This plant enjoys being misted during the growing season.
• Soil: Well-draining, peat-based soil.
• Fertilizer: Fertilize every few weeks during the growing season.
• Environment: Keep your Monstera deliciosa in bright, indirect light.
• Propagation: Cut a leaf that has an aerial root under it.
• Toxicity: The fruit of a Monstera deliciosa is toxic.

The Best Unboxing Practices:

• Watering: Exotic Forest ships freshly watered plants. Do not water your Monstera deliciosa until it exhibits the proper signs.
• Repotting: Do not immediately repot your plant, which would likely result in shock and leaf-loss. Allow it to acclimate to its new environment for at least one week. 
• Lighting: Place your plant in filtered, medium direct light for a few days to acclimate. Relocate your Monstera deliciosa to your desired location in partial sunlight that fits its care needs afterward.

What You’re Getting:

• You will receive a carefully selected, quality evaluated 10” diameter plant, approximately 36" tall. All Exotic Forest plants are rooted and thriving. 

What Makes Us Special:

• Shipment Methods: Plants are precious, and we want yours to arrive safely! We ship our plants via UPS, with a maximum of 4-day shipping. 
• Our Packing: Have you received ‘squished’ plants from other companies? Our solution to this common issue is bamboo stakes and biodegradable packing peanuts (starch), which securely holds your plant in place during shipment. 
• Chemical-free: We are committed to keeping our plants and customers safe. We never treat our plants with chemical pesticides. 
• Quality Standards: Exotic Forest strives to meet stringent quality standards and evaluates each plant we resource from our nursery. Pest-free, healthy plants are a requirement!
• Customer Service: Your satisfaction is our priority. If you are experiencing issues with or have questions about how to care for your Monstera deliciosa ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’, reach out to us at support@exoticforest.com or via our social media accounts. Are you tired of receiving pre-written responses? We believe that plant parents want to talk to people, not robots. A knowledgeable team member reads and replies to each individual concern: no cookie-cutter answers here!
• Returns: While we do not accept returns at this time, you can contact us at support@exoticforest.com with photos of your plant and receipt to discuss the specific plant care issues you’re experiencing with your Monstera deliciosa ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’ and possible resolutions.
• Your Personal Plant-Care Resource: Do you love your new addition? We couldn’t be happier! Join our mailing list to receive exclusive offers, updates, and care tips.

FAQ about Monstera deliciosa ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’:

• How much light does a Monstera deliciosa need? It’s best to place your Monstera deliciosa where it can receive medium to bright indirect light. While it is tolerant of lower light conditions, you may notice leggy growth as a result, so a spot where it will receive bright indirect light a few feet removed from a southern, western, or eastern facing window is ideal.
• Why are my Monstera deliciosa’s leaves curling upwards? The tight curling of new leaves is normal before they unfurl, however, curling on old leaves is your plant giving you a warning sign. Monstera deliciosa leaves curling is usually a sign of underwatering or low humidity. Other causes include overwatering, pest infestations, heat stress, or your Monstera being rootbound. 
• Why is my Monstera deliciosa leaning? If your Monstera deliciosa is bending, drooping, or curling, you likely have an issue with watering, the type of sunlight the plant is getting, or an issue with the soil. Monstera plants require a moderate amount of water, indirect sunlight, and well-draining soil in order to thrive and stay upright indoors.
• Should I repot my Monstera deliciosa? You can repot your Monstera deliciosa at any time of year. Since these plants prefer to be pot-bound, it's a good idea to repot only every two to three years. Once your monstera is in a container with a diameter of eight inches or larger, top-dress with fresh potting soil rather than repotting.