Cultivar guide · Monstera adansonii
Monstera Adansonii (Swiss Cheese Plant)
Smaller, narrower heart-shaped leaves than Monstera deliciosa, perforated with rounded oval holes (fenestrations) that do not extend to the leaf edge. Leaves are typically 4–9 inches long at maturity indoors.
Family
Araceae
Classification
species
Mature size
3–8 ft long vining or climbing on a moss pole; leaves 4–9 inches at maturity
Pet safety
toxic to cats and dogs
Care at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect light; will tolerate medium light but produces smaller leaves with fewer fenestrations
- Water
- Water when top 1–2 inches of soil are dry; never let the rootball dry out completely
- Humidity
- 50% or higher; thrives at 60%+
- Temperature
- 65–85°F (18–29°C)
How to tell it apart from look-alikes
Frequently mislabeled as Monstera obliqua, which is genuinely rare and has paper-thin leaves that are MORE hole than leaf (often 90% perforation). If you bought it from a regular plant shop, it is almost certainly adansonii, not obliqua.
Pet safety: Monstera Adansonii (Swiss Cheese Plant) is toxic to cats and dogs per the ASPCA. Verify on ASPCA.
Botanical reference: Missouri Botanical Garden — Monstera adansonii
For full care of the parent species, see the Monstera care guide.