You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!
Swiss Cheese Plant, aka Monkey Mask Plant or Five Holes Plant, is another cousin to the very popular Monstera Deliciosa. Although many plants are often referred to as “Swiss Cheese Plant,” most often that name refers to this plant – Monstera Adansonii. This is due to the fact that the holes in the leaves are much larger and take up more space on the leaf than the holes on other “Swiss Cheese” plants – giving it an almost skeletal appearance. Only one other Monstera causes such large holes – the incredibly rare Monstera Obliqua – whose leaves have more hole than leaf!.
Monstera Adansonii is similar to its cousins (the Monstera family has over 41 species!) in that the plant is vining, has heart shaped leaves, and has naturally occurring holes in its leaves. Adansonii is, like Raphidora Tetrasperma (Monstera Minima), a great option for people who don’t have a lot of space for the massive size of a Monstera Deliciosa. Adansonii (like Raphidora Tetrasperma) also develops its holes earlier than Deliciosa. A member of the Araceae family, Adansonii is not likely to flower, but is known to help clean your air. Just make sure to keep it away from pets as it is not a pet friendly plant. This vining plant will usually grow to be about 3-5 feet in length, and its vines are suitable for trailing, making it a lovely hanging plant. Hanging Adansonii can help keep the vines out of reach of pets.
Use a pot and a soil with good drainage. As always, if your pot doesn’t have good drainage, use a Moisture Meter to check the moisture level at the bottom of the pot so that you don’t overwater, and take care to avoid adding too much water when it is time to water your plant. As long as your pot has good drainage, just check the top inch or two. If the soil is dry, water the plant until the water runs out of the bottom of the pot, but don’t let the pot sit in a tray full of water (though a little is fine as it will dissipate).
Monstera Adansonii likes bright, indirect sunlight just like its cousins, and it also likes the same temperatures as its cousins (and its humans!) – around 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit. A native of Central and South America, Monstera Adansonii loves humidity and will be happier with added humidity in dry climates. Keep it away from drafts and vents, but consider a humidifier to help your plant be at its best.
Happy Plant Parenting!
