Swiss cheese plant

noun

plural Swiss cheese plants

1

: a monstera (Monstera deliciosa) of southern Mexico to Panama that is often grown as a houseplant and that has large, glossy, deeply incised or perforated leaves, an erect floral spadix enclosed in a white to yellow concave bract, and an elongated, scaly, sweet fruit

The Swiss cheese plant … is easily one of the most popular and aesthetically pleasing houseplants. Its split, heart-shaped leaves and simple upkeep make it an indoor favorite.

—Insider

… under ideal conditions the Swiss cheese plant will produce an edible fruit that smells and tastes somewhat like pineapple …

—Joel Rapp

Note: The Swiss cheese plant is also known as ceriman, Mexican breadfruit, and split-leaf philodendron.

2

: any of several related plants

especially : a monstera (Monstera adansonii) of Central and South America : swiss cheese vine

Word History

First Known Use

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1