Plant Profile: Monstera epipremnoides

Names

Swiss Cheese Plant

  • Photo of Monstera epipremnoides (Monstera epipremnoidess)

Phonetic Spelling:mon-STER-uh ep-ih-prem-NOY-deez

Genus:Monstera

Species:epipremnoides

Family:Araceae

The 'Swiss Cheese Plant' derives its name from its large, perforated leaves that resemble Swiss cheese. As the leaves mature, their shape evolves from solid to having holes, eventually developing into a pinnatifid form with perforations that can extend to the leaf edges. This evergreen epiphytic vine can reach heights of up to 13 feet.

This plant does not tolerate direct sunlight or overly wet soil. It thrives in indoor settings with moderate light and average humidity levels. It requires rich, well-draining soil that should not be allowed to dry out completely; a quality soilless mix is ideal. Propagation is straightforward through cuttings, and it is generally free from significant pest or disease issues.

**Quick Identification Tips:**

Monstera epipremnoides Feature Summary

Monstera epipremnoides Image Gallery

Tags

#fragrant
#white
#houseplant
#perennial
#interiorscape
#large leaves
#moist soil
#white berries
#spadix
#fragrant fruits
#fantz
#tropical feel
#container plants

Similar Plants

Monstera epipremnoides is often confused with:

Monstera epipremnoides Feature Summary

Fruit
This plant produces a crowded aggregate of white berries that are aromatic.
Flowers
Flowers are greenish-white and small. Inflorescence is a spathe and spadix with a long peduncle. The spathe grows up to 1.3' tall. The spadix grows up to 7.5' long and is covered with small flowers. It sort of resembles a giant Jack-in-the-pulpit bloom.
White
Green
Leaves
13-21 inches long and 13 inches wide leaves are alternate, simple, and 2-ranked. The shape is cordate to oblong-elliptic to rotund. Leaves have oblong holes with some extending to and through the margins. Leaves are glossy, leathery, and have long stems. Juvenile leaves are often entire.
Elliptical
Oblong
Cordate
Pinnatifid
> 6 inches
Glossy
Leathery
> 6 inches
Stem
Stems are thick, long, sprawling, and cling by aerial roots.
Whole Plant Traits
Houseplant
Climbing
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Good Drainage
Moist
High Organic Matter
Landscape
Container
Houseplants

Monstera epipremnoides Attributes

Monstera epipremnoides: Country Or Region Of Origin

Costa Rica

Monstera epipremnoides: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Monstera epipremnoides: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Monstera epipremnoides Fruit

Monstera epipremnoides: Fruit Description

This plant produces a crowded aggregate of white berries that are aromatic.

Monstera epipremnoides: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Monstera epipremnoides: Fruit Color

grass
White

Monstera epipremnoides: Fruit Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy

Monstera epipremnoides Flowers

Monstera epipremnoides: Flower Description

Flowers are greenish-white and small. Inflorescence is a spathe and spadix with a long peduncle. The spathe grows up to 1.3' tall. The spadix grows up to 7.5' long and is covered with small flowers. It sort of resembles a giant Jack-in-the-pulpit bloom.

Monstera epipremnoides: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Green
filter_vintage
White

Monstera epipremnoides: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Monstera epipremnoides Leaves

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Description

13-21 inches long and 13 inches wide leaves are alternate, simple, and 2-ranked. The shape is cordate to oblong-elliptic to rotund. Leaves have oblong holes with some extending to and through the margins. Leaves are glossy, leathery, and have long stems. Juvenile leaves are often entire.

Monstera epipremnoides: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Monstera epipremnoides: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy

Monstera epipremnoides: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Monstera epipremnoides Stem

Monstera epipremnoides: Stem Description

Stems are thick, long, sprawling, and cling by aerial roots.

Monstera epipremnoides: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Monstera epipremnoides Whole Plant Traits

Monstera epipremnoides: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Monstera epipremnoides: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Monstera epipremnoides: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Monstera epipremnoides Cultural Conditions

Monstera epipremnoides: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Monstera epipremnoides: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Monstera epipremnoides: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
10a
thermostat
10b

Monstera epipremnoides: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Monstera epipremnoides Landscape

Monstera epipremnoides: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland