Most people are familiar with the Swiss cheese plant. Its popularity is largely due to its impressive, giant, heart- shaped, lobed or perforated leaves and its climbing habit. You’ll need plenty of space for this fabulous plant, which can turn into a giant if given its ideal growing conditions.
HEIGHT 6m (20ft)
SPREAD 2.5m (8ft)
FLOWERS Unlikely to bloom indoors
FOLIAGE Large, green, lobed
LIGHT Filtered sun/light shade
TEMPERATURE 18–27°C (64–81°F)
CARE Easy
PLACE OF ORIGIN Central America
WARNING! All parts are toxic; gloves required when handling
The Swiss cheese plant likes a room with moderate humidity. If you’re hoping for perforated as well as lobed leaves, place it in filtered sun rather than shade. It has aerial roots and a climbing habit, so growing it up a moss pole is the best way to offer support. Grow in commercial potting mix and feed with a half-strength balanced fertilizer every month in spring and summer. Water when the top of the potting mix feels dry, reducing slightly in winter. Mist the leaves and the moss pole regularly to mimic jungle humidity and clean leaves weekly with a damp cloth to keep them healthy and shiny.
If the plant gets out of hand, simply prune off any unwanted stems and top growth during the spring. Prune just below an aerial root and this plant material can then be used as a cutting to create a new plant—just pop the cutting in water or potting mix.
PROBLEM SOLVING This plant is relatively pest-free. Some gardeners cut off the aerial roots—never do this, as they’re a crucial part of the plant and should be held against a damp moss pole or, if long enough, pushed into the potting mix. The leaves will be poor if these roots are removed.
As the Swiss cheese plant is boisterous and will quickly overshadow others, it’s best suited to life on its own. If growing in a very large container, underplant it with the prayer plant or sweetheart plant—these are both shade lovers and will trail over the side of the container.
Houseplants A–Z | SWISS CHEESE PLANT
Monsteras are great for those who want a large plant but are nervous about the investment—they’re easy to grow and risk of failure is low. Here are two more options:
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