Garden Care Guide

Swiss Cheese Plant Care

Monstera deliciosa

An iconic climbing houseplant with perforated and split leaves. It likes bright but indirect (no direct sun) spots, well-drained, airy potting soil and a support such as a moss pole to climb. It is sensitive to root rot.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 8 °C / 46 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Reduce watering. Once the top 5-7 cm of soil is completely dry (about 0.7 L every 2-3 weeks), use rested water.
  • Pruning: Cut only yellowing or drying leaves.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Wipe the dust off the leaves with a damp cloth to increase light uptake. Keep away from radiators.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.
February
  • Watering: Continue watering once the soil has dried 5-7 cm (about 0.7 L every 2 weeks).
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: To increase humidity, occasionally mist the leaves with water. If signs of growth begin, increase watering slightly.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer when it wakes from dormancy. Because yield and fruit quality depend on nutrient balance, having a soil analysis done is especially useful for this plant.
  • Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering. Cut old or yellowed leaves at the base. Do not prune the aerial roots; tie them to a supporting structure. You can limit large leaves for size control.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots for aphids (Aphidoidea).
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, at half the label dose.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week. Water newly planted plants more often than established plants during the first year; the root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, half the label rate.
  • Pruning: You may cut branches that have grown too long or are spoiling the shape.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Apply mulch 5-7 cm thick over the root zone; it conserves soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not press mulch against the stem. Drainage is critical for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm; the root collar should remain above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Apply the second fertilizer dose during the growing season. Do not fertilize after August; late growth will not survive winter.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Every 2-3 weeks, half the label rate.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues. Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, look on the undersides of the leaves for fine webbing and speckled yellowing (spider mites). Washing the leaves during the cool hours reduces their numbers.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, at half the label dose.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, look on the undersides of the leaves for fine webbing and speckled yellowing (spider mites). Washing the leaves during the cool hours reduces their numbers.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Once a month, at a diluted dose; do not overfeed. Carry out this month's care.
  • Pruning: Cut only yellowing, drying or overly long branches, for aesthetic purposes.
  • General care: Growth slows; prepare the plant for winter. Remove dust from the leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: Do a general check for mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) and scale insects (Coccoidea) before going into winter.
  • Frost risk: Keep the plant away from open windows and balcony doors that may get cold at night.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: From the end of the month, stop feeding.
  • General care: Preparing for dormancy. Move it away from windows where it may get cold at night.
  • Frost risk: Watch for cold drafts.
November
  • Watering: Reduce watering. Once the top 5-7 cm of soil is completely dry (about 0.7 L every 2-3 weeks), water.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.
December
  • Watering: Reduce watering. Once the top 5-7 cm of soil is completely dry (about 0.7 L every 2-3 weeks), water.
  • Pruning: Remove only leaves that are drying out.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 8 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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