The Swiss Cheese plant (also known as the Monstera Deliciosa or split leaf philodendron) is a very popular and striking house plant. You’ve probably been seeing them everywhere for the past few years as they’ve exploded in popularity. They are best known for their smooth, perforated leaves and their ability to grow very large.
Swiss Cheese Plants are actually tropical plants that are native to South America. In Latin, Monstera Deliciosa translates to “Delicious Monster,” which is appropriate given the fact that these plants can quickly grow out of the pot that you bought them in. A Swiss Cheese plant is actually a vining plant in its native jungles, so it will need stakes or a trellis to climb on if kept indoors. Below, I’ll share some of the benefits of these unique plants and share more on how to make them thrive in your home.
Top 5 Benefits of a Swiss Cheese Plant
1. Helps Relieve Stress
This study published in 2015 indicates that working with house plants can actually help relieve psychological stress and promote more relaxed, soothed feelings. The participants were asked to either transplant a plant to a different container or to work on a computer. The participants who transplanted the plant reported lower stress levels and actually had measurably lower blood pressure levels. Luckily, the Swiss Cheese Plant requires yearly re-potting due to its rapid growth pattern. You could say that it’s a built-in stress relief system.
2. Assists with Recovery
Have you ever sent someone flowers when they were in the hospital? This study observed the benefits of gardens in hospitals and it indicates that many people benefitted from faster recovery when exposed to nature. Although it might be difficult to replicate the results of this study in your own home, it still shows the power of bringing nature into man-made spaces.
3. Creates a Jungle Vibe
Since the Swiss Cheese Plant is native to the jungle, it’s no surprise that it brings a similar aesthetic into your home. These plants have become very popular with the boho design movement, but they look great paired with almost any design style. One thing’s for sure: a large Swiss Cheese Plant can make a big statement! As the plant matures and grows larger leaves, you may start seeing more of its characteristic “swiss cheese holes” or leaf perforations.
4. Easy Propagation
This plant is very easy to propagate – you can even trim some stems to use as a centerpiece! If you have a large or unruly plant, it might be beneficial for you to trim some of the plant and gift them away to someone else. For more detailed instructions, refer to this post on how to propagate a monstera.
5. Low Maintenance Care
Unlike some other popular house plants, the Swiss Cheese Plant is surprisingly low maintenance. It thrives in indirect sunlight and it doesn’t need an excessive amount of water. These plants are very hardy and can be grown in almost any household climate.
Overall, the Swiss Cheese Plant has a lot of benefits and it doesn’t require a ton of work to maintain. One important thing to be mindful of, though: the plant and root system is toxic and can make people and pets very sick if consumed. Make sure to keep this beautiful plant away from dogs and toddlers to be on the safe side.
If you’re shopping around for a plant, make sure to check out your local farmers market! You can also find good deals at some big box stores like WalMart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. Have fun creating a new space with your Swiss Cheese Plant.
