Monstera Adansonii Care: The Swiss Cheese Vine

Monstera adansonii (also called Swiss cheese vine or monkey mask plant) is the smaller, trailing cousin of Monstera deliciosa. The leaves have natural holes (fenestrations) that give the plant a delicate, airy look.

It is also fast-growing, forgiving, and much easier to manage than the massive Monstera deliciosa. If you want a monstera that does not take over your living room, this is it.

Quick Care Summary

  • Light: Bright, indirect light
  • Water: When top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Humidity: 50 to 70 percent (moderate to high)
  • Growth habit: Trailing vine (can climb with support)
  • Biggest mistake: Overwatering

Light

Monstera adansonii needs bright, indirect light to produce fenestrations and grow quickly.

Best light:

  • East-facing window
  • A few feet back from a south or west window
  • Bright, indirect light for several hours per day

Signs of too little light:

  • Leggy growth (long stems, few leaves)
  • New leaves have fewer or no holes
  • Slower growth

Signs of too much light:

  • Faded, pale leaves
  • Brown, crispy edges

Watering

Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Adansonii likes consistent moisture but does not tolerate soggy soil.

How to water:

  1. Stick your finger into the soil
  2. If the top 2 inches are dry, water thoroughly until it drains
  3. Empty the saucer

Typical schedule:

  • Spring and summer: Every 5 to 7 days
  • Fall and winter: Every 10 to 14 days

Humidity

Monstera adansonii prefers moderate to high humidity.

Ideal humidity: 50 to 70 percent.

How to increase humidity:

  • Use a humidifier
  • Group with other plants
  • Place on a pebble tray with water

Signs of low humidity:

  • Brown, crispy leaf edges
  • Smaller new leaves
  • Fewer fenestrations

Soil and Pot

Use well-draining, chunky soil.

Best soil:

  • 40% potting soil
  • 30% orchid bark
  • 20% perlite
  • 10% peat moss or coco coir

Pot requirements:

  • Must have drainage holes
  • Hanging basket, shelf, or pot with room to trail

Support Structure (Optional)

Adansonii can trail or climb. If you want larger leaves and more fenestrations, give it something to climb.

Support options:

  • Moss pole (coco coir or sphagnum moss)
  • Trellis or wall-mounted support
  • Let it trail naturally

Leaves will be larger when climbing compared to trailing.

Temperature

Monstera adansonii is tropical.

  • Temperature: 65 to 85 F
  • Avoid: Cold drafts, temperatures below 60 F

Fertilizer

Feed during the growing season.

  • Fertilize every 4 weeks in spring and summer
  • Use balanced liquid fertilizer (diluted to half strength)
  • Skip fertilizing in fall and winter

Pruning

Adansonii grows fast and can get leggy. Prune to control size and encourage bushier growth.

How to prune:

  1. Cut back long, leggy stems
  2. Remove yellowing or damaged leaves
  3. Use clean, sharp scissors

Pro tip: Prune just above a node to encourage branching.

Propagating Monstera Adansonii

Adansonii propagates easily from stem cuttings.

How to propagate:

  1. Cut a stem with at least 2 to 3 leaves and a node
  2. Place in water or moist soil
  3. Keep in bright, indirect light
  4. Roots develop in 2 to 4 weeks
  5. Transplant to soil when roots are 2 to 3 inches long

Adansonii roots quickly and you can propagate a single plant into a fuller hanging basket in months.

Common Problems

Leggy growth

Not enough light. Move to a brighter spot and prune to encourage bushier growth.

New leaves have no holes

The plant is too young, not enough light, or stress. Young leaves do not have fenestrations. As the plant matures and gets enough light, new leaves will develop holes.

Yellow leaves

Overwatering or natural aging. Check soil moisture and drainage.

Brown leaf edges

Low humidity or underwatering. Increase humidity and water more consistently.

Pests

Adansonii can attract spider mites, thrips, and aphids. Wipe leaves regularly and inspect for pests.

Monstera Adansonii vs. Monstera Obliqua

Monstera adansonii is often confused with Monstera obliqua, an extremely rare species with massive holes that take up most of the leaf.

Monstera adansonii (common):

  • Leaves have small to medium holes
  • Thicker, sturdier leaves
  • Easy to find and affordable

Monstera obliqua (rare):

  • Leaves have huge holes (more hole than leaf)
  • Paper-thin leaves
  • Extremely rare and expensive (thousands of dollars)

If you see a “Monstera obliqua” for sale at a normal price, it is almost certainly adansonii.

What To Do Next

  • If you love monsteras, try Monstera deliciosa or Rhaphidophora tetrasperma (mini monstera)
  • If your adansonii is getting leggy, prune it back and propagate the cuttings
  • If you want larger leaves, add a moss pole for it to climb
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