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terrestrialeasyFreshwater

Swiss Cheese Vine

Monstera adansonii

Also known as Monstera adansonii, Swiss Cheese Plant, Monkey Mask

PlantaeAraceae

📍 Central and South America

A trailing monstera whose leaves are riddled with oval holes. Grown emersed with its roots in the tank water, it works as a living biofilter — pulling up nitrate while the foliage stays in the air.

Terrestrial / emersed plant

Grown with its roots in the tank water and its leaves in the air — a living nitrate filter, not a submerged aquarium plant. Give it bright indirect light; no aquarium CO₂ or substrate needed.

Toxic if eaten

Leaves and sap contain calcium oxalate — toxic if eaten, irritating the mouth and gut; keep foliage away from plant-grazing fish, while the submerged roots are safe.

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Quick Facts

light
Bright indirect
biofilter
true
placement
Emersed — roots in water, leaves in air
growth rate
fast

Water it likes

ph
6.0–7.5
nitrate
Thrives on high nitrate — a strong natural exporter
hardness
Soft to hard (2–20 dGH)
temperature
64–82°F (18–28°C)

Legality

No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.

Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.

Stats

Community tips0
Growing in0 tanks