Monstera deliciosa
Swiss cheese plant, Ceriman, Windowleaf plant
Also known as Philodendron pertusum, Monstera
- Height × spread
- 4m × 2.5m
- Position
- Part shade
- Hardiness
- (RHS H1b)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A plant of the tropical rain forests, hailing from Mexico and central America where it's a vine that climbs up trees. In the United Kingdom it is a pot plant. The leaves can reach a metre in extent, rounded overall but deeply incised, almost to the leaf's central rib, into long oblong segments. The flower, like the bloom of an arum, takes the form of a 'spathe' a hood that surrounds the creamy central spike - the spadix. The whole can stand around 30 cm in height. The plant will put out aerial roots. There are also cone shaped fruits which are edible once ripe. This enjoys a humus rich soil that is well drained but moist in a humid environment in part shade. It benefits from a stout stake for support. In the wild it can reach 15 metres with a 6 metre spread, in domesticity, it does well to hit the ceiling.
- Flower colour
- Green, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 2.5m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Exotic garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- (RHS H1b)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Wall cover
- Walls
- North, East facing
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, potentially harmful; Humans: Harmful if eaten; skin & eye irritant
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth.
Adopt a regime that means the plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Winter
Winter-Spring · Indoors
Water lightly in winter
The soil should remain just moist during the cold months when the plant is not in growth. Trickle a little water onto the soil surface every couple of weeks if the soil is dry. Do nothing if it is moist.
The roots remain active in winter and benefit from small amounts of moisture so they don't become completely desiccated.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Loam based houseplant compost for repotting
Buy container or house plant compost that is loam based if possible (i.e. is based on John Innes compost number 2 or 3. This contains more fertiliser and is better suited to established plants.
John Innes no. 1 has the lowest level of fertiliser and is used for seedlings and young plants, so is generally used where plants will be 'potted on' after a number of weeks.
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.