---
title: "Anybody have the back story on why Swiss cheese monsteras are also…"
description: "Anybody have the back story on why Swiss cheese monsteras are also called “monkey masks?” 🤔"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/x32brbcgW3OZ6zTlpMIRqt"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Mehgan C."
published: "2025-03-05T17:15:25.610223Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/yvYgTqFZKE5M71rxHYbyL5Zl3iEsLkRVgaqQR9CvDK8/nw3w3HMcSr6CqPi2FERe1w.webp?size=large"
---

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# Anybody have the back story on why Swiss cheese monsteras are also…

_Posted by Mehgan C. on 2025-03-05_

Anybody have the back story on why Swiss cheese monsteras are also called “monkey masks?” 🤔

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/yvYgTqFZKE5M71rxHYbyL5Zl3iEsLkRVgaqQR9CvDK8/nw3w3HMcSr6CqPi2FERe1w.webp?size=large)

## 6 comments

### Gray commented on 2025-03-05

This is the most common explanation online, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a reason stemming from racism/classism. Gardening and plant collecting was a status symbol originally and contributed a lot to Black oppression. The history of “Black firsts” throughout plant ownership is fascinating, and there’s many Black women who were pioneers in the field.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Kx2jj8UjsecUbATr1CifYNQY7WRtcOgY1U8MCZreHZU/cxV77bUQQ4-baorYLPz0eA.webp?size=large)

#### Ahner replied on 2025-03-05

Sources please

#### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2025-03-06

It's so crazy that side of my ancestors were not allowed to grow plants or forage due to the fact that the slave owners were worried about being poisoned 🙄

#### Gray replied on 2025-03-06

You can find information anywhere online, but an amazing place to look is Blossom Effect. This is Paige Tailyn’s Instagram and Tiktok name. She owns over 500 plants, has a plant shop, and educates plant owners about the history of plants, botany, etc. She’s especially rich in Black history knowledge as a Black woman herself. Her website is www/paigetailyn/com (I can’t use an actual hyperlink per Planta guidelines). She’s an awesome place to start

#### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2025-03-06

Love her history posts

#### Gray replied on 2025-03-06

Don’t know if you saw my comment.. I don’t think it posted in a way you’d be notified. You can find my comment still, but the TLDR is check out Paige Tailyn! paigetailyn dot com is a great spot to start

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