Origin
South America
Light
Dappled shade
Watering
Twice a week
Care
Expert
Flowering
Foliage
Indoor
Monstera Adansonii
The "swiss cheese plant": leaves punched with clean holes, on a vine that trails or climbs, as you prefer.
Care Profile
A guide to ensuring your botanical companion thrives.
Origin
Central America
Light
Bright indirect
Watering
Weekly
Maintenance
Easy
Why the holes?
Widespread from Central American forests to southern Brazil, it climbs trunks by gripping with aerial roots.
The holes let light through to the leaves below and wind pass across: in the understorey, a perforated leaf catches scattered sunflecks over a wider span for the same investment in tissue.
"Holes in the leaves to catch more light."
01
Styling Tip 01
Hanging or trained
In a hanging pot it trails handsomely; on a pole, the leaves double in size and fenestrate far more.
02
Styling Tip 02
Water when the top two centimetres dry
Regular but restrained watering: lower leaves yellow as soon as the mix stays waterlogged.
03
Styling Tip 03
Easy cuttings in water
A stem with one node and one aerial root roots within a fortnight in a glass of water.
Similar plants
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Origin
Southeast Asia
Light
Low to bright
Watering
Weekly
Care
Easy
Flowering
Foliage