Monstera Adansonii Care: Swiss Cheese Vine Guide
Monstera adansonii
Monstera adansonii is the smaller, vining cousin of the deliciosa — known for the holes (fenestrations) in every leaf. Easier to fit on a shelf, just as rewarding.
Watering
Water when the top inch is dry, usually weekly. Adansonii dries faster than deliciosa because the leaves are smaller and the pots are usually smaller too.
Light
Bright indirect. Direct afternoon sun burns the leaves; very low light shrinks leaf size and reduces hole formation.
Trellis or hang?
Both work. Climbing on a moss pole produces larger, more dramatic leaves with bigger holes; hanging gives a denser, trailing look with smaller leaves.
Soil
Chunky aroid mix: potting soil + orchid bark + perlite + a handful of charcoal.
Propagation
Snip a vine just below a node (the bump with an aerial root). Root in water or sphagnum in 2–4 weeks.
Toxic to pets if chewed (calcium oxalate).
Frequently asked questions
Is Monstera adansonii the same as a Swiss cheese plant?
Both adansonii and deliciosa are called Swiss cheese plants. Adansonii has small, fully enclosed holes in every leaf; deliciosa has large splits that reach the leaf edge.
Why are my adansonii leaves yellow?
Usually overwatering. Let the top 2 inches dry and check that the pot drains freely.
How fast does Monstera adansonii grow?
Fast — 1–2 feet of new vine per month in bright indirect light during spring and summer.
Do adansonii need a moss pole?
Not required, but climbing on one produces much larger, more dramatic leaves.
Why are the holes in my adansonii so small?
Hole size grows with plant maturity and light. Give it a moss pole and brighter indirect light and new leaves come in with bigger fenestrations.
Track your Monstera Adansonii in PlantbookOS
Adaptive reminders learn your plant's actual dry-down rate in your home — not a generic schedule. Log waterings by voice, snap photos to track growth, and ask FloraAI when something looks off.