Monstera adansonii in Nursery Grow Pot

Common Names

Philodendron Monkey Mask or commonly known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, Swiss cheese vin, Adanson's monstera, Swiss cheese vine, five holes plant

Synonyms

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Plant Care

Bright indirect to Medium light

Water thoroughly when top 25% of soil is dry. Soil should be kept moist but not soggy. 

• Air Purifying

• Good for Feng Shui

• Difficulty:   Easy and low-maintenance

 

BENEFITS:

 

Monstera adansonii improve air quality in three ways: 

1. Their textured leaves are covered in tiny pores which take in carbon dioxide and expel oxygen. All plants produce oxygen as they photosynthesis, but the  surface area of Swiss Cheese Plants means they’re especially efficient at doing so.
   
   
2. Waxy leaves like this are also mean dust trappers. Debris that would otherwise fall on surfaces and remain airborne will sit on Monstera leaves, where it can be easily wiped away, so both you and your plant can breathe easily!
   
   
3. It will add humidity to the air, warding off ailments such as dry skin conditions and respiratory problems that are aggravated by dryness. 

It’s been well-reported that nature is beneficial to our mental health. Though the connection between nature and well being is strong, the reasons for this are purely theoretical: it’s generally accepted that we respond well to particular forms due to the way we’ve adapted on an evolutionary level. 

For example, studies have shown that the colour green makes people feel alert and healthy, encouraging them to make better decisions, and feel more vibrant. Big green plants, like Monsteras, are therefore good to have in living rooms and offices as they help us feel energized and productive.  

Researchers have also deduced that top-heavy natural forms, and large overhanging canopies, induce feelings of safety in participants. The theory goes that these forms recall our ancestral home on the Savannah. In prehistory, landscapes dense with plants and trees like these would have been hospitable to humans, and these triggers remain embedded in our subconscious. 

Monstera symbolises a long life and honouring elders and respected people. In Feng Shui (a kind of Oriental acupuncture for your home) Monstera is used to bring happiness or to stimulate big dreams.

The whole plant is used as a remedy for boils.

A decoction of the crushed plant is applied topically.

The stem is used as a remedy for scorpion and snake bites.

The sap produces a burning sensation and is occasionally used to treat necrotic ulcers.