I planted a single Monstera deliciosa, no bigger than a coffee mug, in the east-facing corner of my living room. Five years on it stands 6 feet tall on a moss pole. Its split leaves now fan out wider than a dinner plate. So yes, a Swiss cheese plant indoors makes a genuinely good houseplant. You should get one.
It is one of the best plants for a beginner. The plant tolerates a wide range of conditions, so a chilly week or a dim corner will not kill it. You get an easy houseplant that forgives the odd missed watering, which helps a lot when life gets busy. It also grows fast. In a bright spot you can expect a fresh leaf every two to four weeks through spring and summer. Watching each one unfurl keeps the whole thing rewarding, and that quick payoff is rare in houseplants.
Light is the one thing your plant truly cares about. Give it bright indirect light and it pays you back with bigger leaves and more of those famous holes. Plant people call those holes fenestrations. A young plant in low light often grows plain, solid leaves with no splits at all. Direct afternoon sun scorches the leaves, so set it a few feet back from a bright window. Mine sits where the morning light pours in but the harsh midday rays miss it.
Temperature is easy to get right, because your plant likes the same range you do. Keep it between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit (16-29 degrees Celsius) and it stays happy in a normal home. The main thing to dodge is a cold draft or a chilly windowsill in winter. Anything below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) stresses the plant and stunts its growth. You will see slower leaves and sad, droopy stems. Average home humidity suits it fine, though a quick mist or a nearby pebble tray gives the leaves a boost.
Size is the other reason it works so well in a home. Out in the ground it can climb dozens of feet, but a Swiss cheese plant indoors tends to settle at 6 to 8 feet (1.8-2.4 m). That is tall enough to fill a corner and act as a real statement piece. It is also small enough that you can keep it in check with a yearly prune. The pot keeps the roots contained and slows your plant down.
Add a moss pole early and your plant will thank you. In the wild this vine climbs tree trunks, so a pole gives its aerial roots something to grab. Climbing leaves grow larger and split more than ones left to flop. Good monstera deliciosa indoor care comes down to three easy habits. Water when the top 2 inches (5 cm) of soil dry out. Wipe the leaves now and then. Turn the pot so your plant grows even on all sides.
One real warning before you buy. Every part of this plant is toxic if a curious cat, dog, or toddler chews it. The leaves hold tiny calcium oxalate crystals that sting the mouth and throat. It rarely causes worse than drool and an upset stomach, but it still hurts. Put your plant up high, or keep it in a room your pets skip. Pick a bright spot, sink in a moss pole, keep it away from the nibblers, and you get a striking plant that grows with you for years. Few houseplants give back this much for so little fuss.
Read the full article: Swiss Cheese Plant Care: A Full Guide
