Swiss cheese-plant (Monstera adansonii) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

Swiss cheese-plant is a climbing houseplant named for the oval holes inside its leaves. Its leaves are smaller than those of the Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa), whose mature leaves have deep cuts from the edge. It is also called Swiss cheese vine.

Appearance

Growth form: It climbs by attaching to a support.
Leaves: The green leaves carry oval holes inside the leaf edge and are usually smaller than those of Swiss Cheese Plant.

Look-alikes

Swiss Cheese PlantMonstera deliciosa

Its mature leaves are larger and have deep cuts reaching in from the edge. Swiss cheese vine usually shows oval holes enclosed within smaller leaves.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Homes
Greenhouses
Range: It comes from tropical forests of Mexico and Central and South America. In the United States it is chiefly grown as a houseplant; outdoors it suits 10–12.

Growing it

Care: Give it bright, indirect light, warmth, and well-drained potting mix.
Toxicity: Eating the plant can irritate the mouth and throat; its sap may irritate skin.

Name and classification

Varieties and forms: Cultivated forms with patterned leaves are grown, including ‘Archipelago’. Four are also recorded, including laniata.

Conservation

IUCN Red List: NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed

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