index
of pages on this site to aid your navigation
Plant
Facts
Monstera deliciosa
Name - Pronounced MON-ster-a del-EE-see-oh-za. It is also known as
Swiss cheese plant because of its beautifully perforated leaves.
Description
- The leaves are dark green, glossy and rounded or heart-shaped when young. The
characteristic split edges and holes appear when mature. With proper care it can
grow to 60cm/2ft across and 2.4m/8ft tall.
Origin - Mexico
Family
- Araceae
Care Tips - Bright but not sunny position (thrives also
in shade). Maintain in humid conditions (with regular misting), and in warm soil.
Wash the leaves occasionally so that the plant can 'breathe'. Feed every two weeks
from spring to summer and allow the compost to dry out between waterings. In winter
keep the soil just moist. Do not cut off the aerial roots.
Trivia
- In the wild it grows up the trunks and along the branches of trees, clinging
by means of the brown tail-like aerial roots which take up water and nutrients.
When growing it as a house plant, support should be given by training these aerial
roots on to a moss-covered pole (usually provided) so that they can take in nutrients
from the moss.
