Monstera epipremnoides
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- mon-STER-uh ep-ih-prem-NOY-deez
- Description
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'Swiss Cheese Plant' is named so because of its huge leaves with holes in them that resembles Swiss cheese. Leaf shape changes as the leaves mature from entire to having holes to eventually having perforations often extending to and breaking through the outer edges of the leaves and result in a pinnatifid leaf shape. It is an evergreen epiphytic vine that grows up to 13' tall.
This plant is intolerant of direct sunlight and wet soil. It prefers interior environments with moderate light and average humidity. It needs rich, well-drained soil that is not allowed to dry out completely. A good soilless recipe works well. It is easily propagated by cuttings. It has no serious pest or disease problems.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves contain several large, natural holes
- Indoor vine with glossy, heart-shaped leaves
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Esqueleto'
huge, glossy, leathery, green fenestrated leaves with a skeletal like pattern, up to 3 feet long, rare
- 'Esqueleto'
- 'Esqueleto'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Esqueleto'
huge, glossy, leathery, green fenestrated leaves with a skeletal like pattern, up to 3 feet long, rare
- 'Esqueleto'
- 'Esqueleto'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Monstera
- Species:
- epipremnoides
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Leaf Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Costa Rica
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- This plant produces a crowded aggregate of white berries that are aromatic.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- 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.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Pinnatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- 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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are thick, long, sprawling, and cling by aerial roots.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
