Species variegated Swiss cheese plant
Monstera deliciosa 'Variegata'; heart-shaped, large, green leaves with white markings and deeply-lobed margins

variegated Swiss cheese plant

Monstera deliciosa 'Variegata'

The variegated Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa 'Variegata') is an attractive evergreen tropical climber with striking foliage. Its heart-shaped leaves are mottled yellow and green, giving the plant a unique, speckled look. With its cascading vine-like stems, the variegated Swiss cheese plant can reach up to 6 feet in height when mature, and makes a loud statement in any home or garden. Native to the jungles of Central America, this plant happily grows in bright indirect light and enjoys evenly moist soil. Variegation can be unstable, and this plant may revert to all green foliage if conditions change.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Greenwood Cuttings,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

10 - 12

Flowers:

Whitish-green spadix and white spathe Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun only if soil kept moist, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Well-drained

Fruits:

green,yellow,cream,white Fruits In Autumn Ready In Summer

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Maintenance:

Moderate

Tropical:

Yes

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The Variegated Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa 'Variegata') should be watered once a week in the spring and summer and every 2 weeks in the fall and winter. Water until the soil is moist but not soggy and allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering is the most common mistake with this species, so be sure to check the soil for moisture before watering. As the plant matures, you may need to increase the frequency of watering.

sunlight

Variegated Swiss cheese plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. During the warm summer months, it is best to provide 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. In the wintertime, the amount of direct sunlight should be decreased to 2-3 hours per day. The plant should never be placed in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time, as this could cause sunburn and discoloration in the leaves. Ensure that the plant is receiving enough sunlight by placing it near a window that faces east or south.

pruning

Pruning your variegated Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa 'Variegata') should be done regularly to encourage bushier growth and to control its size. In general, this plant should be pruned twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. For the spring pruning, remove no more than a third of the stems and leave only healthy stems. For the fall pruning, only remove unhealthy stems and canes affected by diseases or insect damage. When pruning, use clean, sharp pruning shears and make sure to cut off any damaged or diseased leaves. This will prevent the spread of disease. It's important to remember not to prune branches underneath the growing tips as this can lead to bare, weak stems.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Monstera deliciosa 'Variegata' is typically between July and October.

Starts Flowering

Monstera deliciosa 'Variegata' typically starts flowering in the summer months, usually between June and August.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Monstera deliciosa 'Variegata' is typically between July and October.

Hardiness Map