Swiss Cheese Plant problems & how to fix them

Monstera deliciosa

Drooping, yellowing, brown tips, or a plant that just won’t thrive? Here are the most common Swiss Cheese Plant problems, what usually causes them, and how to turn things around.

Common problems

Root rot

Dense nursery soil plus oversized pots keeps roots wet too long; yellowing lower leaves are the first sign. A fungal or bacterial infection of the roots, almost always triggered by soil staying wet too long. Caught early, most plants recover within a few weeks after repotting; if most roots are already mushy, recovery is uncertain.

Spider mites

Dry winter air lets mites colonize the large leaf undersides; look for fine stippling. Tiny sap-sucking mites that thrive in warm, dry air and leave fine webbing and speckled leaves. Caught early they are very treatable; most plants recover fully within 3-4 weeks of consistent treatment.

Example of a two-spotted spider mite among its silk threads, on another plant — Example on another plant
a two-spotted spider mite among its silk threads
Photo: Gilles San Martin · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Etiolation (insufficient light)

In dim corners new growth comes in small, leggy, and without fenestrations. The plant is stretching toward light it isn't getting: long gaps between leaves, pale thin growth, and leaning. Stretched growth never compacts again, but with more light all new growth comes in full and sturdy - the plant's future is good.

Example of etiolated seedlings stretching pale toward the light, on another plant — Example on another plant
etiolated seedlings stretching pale toward the light
Photo: சஞ்சீவி சிவகுமார் · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Fungus gnats

Constantly moist peat-heavy mixes breed gnats; let the top layer dry between waterings. Small dark flies that breed in constantly moist potting soil; the adults are harmless but annoying, while larvae can nibble roots of seedlings and weak plants. Very treatable by drying out the soil; expect the flies to fade over 2-3 weeks.

Example of an adult fungus gnat resting on a leaf, on another plant — Example on another plant
an adult fungus gnat resting on a leaf
Photo: James K. Lindsey · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The mistakes that most often kill it

Keeping it in a huge pot of soggy soil — root rot is the number one killer.
Parking it in a dark corner for years and wondering why it declines.
Letting it freeze near a cold window or draft in winter.

Not sure what’s wrong?

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