Monstera adansonii · Asked on Facebook · 2 November 2026
How do I care for my Monstera adansonii (Swiss cheese plant) with holey leaves?
This is a Monstera adansonii, and the holes are normal for this plant, not damage. Give it bright, indirect light, water when the top soil dries, and provide a loose, well‑draining mix so it keeps making healthy, holey leaves instead of yellow, torn ones.
The question
“My friend just gave me this plant. How do I care for it so the leaves don't get full of holes like this?”
What's likely going on
The plant in the photo is a Monstera adansonii, often called the Swiss cheese vine. The “holes” in the leaves are normal for this plant and are called fenestrations. They’re part of its natural leaf shape, not a sign of insects eating it.
Things to actually watch for are:
- Yellowing, mushy leaves – usually from overwatering or poor drainage.
- Crispy brown edges – often from very dry air, underwatering, or strong direct sun burning the leaves.
From the picture, the plant looks generally healthy, just a bit crowded in its pot.
What to do
Light
Place it in bright, indirect light – near a window with filtered sun, or a bright room out of harsh direct rays. A few minutes of gentle morning sun is fine; avoid strong midday sun that can scorch the leaves.Watering
- Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry to the finger.
- Water thoroughly until a little drains out the bottom, then empty any saucer so roots don’t sit in water.
Soil and pot
Use a loose, well‑draining mix (regular potting soil mixed with coco chips/bark and perlite is great).
If roots are circling the pot or poking out the bottom, repot to a slightly larger pot with drainage holes.Humidity and temperature
It likes warm, humid air. Keep away from cold drafts and AC blasts. In dry homes, grouping plants together or using a pebble tray with water under (not touching) the pot can help.Support and pruning
Give it a small stake or moss pole to climb if vines get long. Trim any very yellow or damaged leaves with clean scissors.
How to prevent it
- Stick to a consistent watering routine based on soil feel, not the calendar.
- Keep it in bright but not harsh light.
- Refresh or repot the soil every 1–2 years so it doesn’t compact and stay soggy.
- Wipe leaves occasionally with a damp cloth so they can breathe and photosynthesize well.
When to worry
- Many leaves turning yellow and soft at once – check for waterlogged soil and improve drainage.
- Leaves getting irregular chewed edges or speckling plus sticky residue – inspect closely for pests (caterpillars, thrips, or mites) on both sides of the leaves.
- No new growth for months in good light – consider repotting, checking roots, and feeding lightly with a balanced houseplant fertilizer.
Remember: on this plant, holes in healthy green leaves are a good thing – that’s exactly how it’s meant to look.
Answered by the GrowPls assistant. Every plant and room is different; if things don't improve, a clear close-up photo of the affected part is the fastest way to a better answer.
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