Are you supposed to cut back Monstera?
No, absolutely not. If you like the way it’s growing, then pruning won’t offer any benefits. Tropical plants like Monstera don’t grow seasonally in the wild — they grow year-round. It’s not like lavender where not pruning them can shorten their life span. Or your monstera may look pristine and not require any pruning for the season. If pruning is needed do it during the growing season in spring and summer to reduce stress and help plants recover.Other signs that it’s time to repot a monstera plant include overgrown foliage that threatens to tip over the plant and stunted growth or a dull appearance. Even if your monstera doesn’t seem to be outgrowing its pot, it’s a good idea to repot it with fresh soil every two years or so.The plant can only tolerate direct sun in the morning; extended periods of direct light can burn the foliage. Water your Monstera Dubia when the soil is 50-75% dry. Water thoroughly until water comes out of the drainage holes, and be sure to empty the saucer of any excess water. This plant is sensitive to overwatering.Bottom watering can be a great way to ensure that your Monstera’s soil is thoroughly moistened when you water. It can be easier, if you have the space to set up a bottom watering station, but it’s neither better nor worse than top watering. Your Monstera just want water.
What do I do with air roots on my monstera?
Aerial roots seek support and moisture for the plant, so their presence isn’t unnatural. You can easily secure them to a moss pole or coil them inside the plant’s pot, but if you really dislike them it’s fine to cut them off. If aerial roots form, you can do nothing and enjoy their unique appearance. They can also be adjusted to help the plant climb or placed in the soil to root-in and help support the plant. If you don’t like their appearance, they can be pruned off with a sharp pruners near the main stem.Monstera Aerial Roots Aren’t Harmful While you might not like the unruly look that the thick, brown aerial roots give your monstera, they won’t harm your plant or surrounding structures. Plus, they help the plant in terms of support. When they curl around a moss pole or trellis, they can stop it from drooping over.Yes, you can cut Monstera aerial roots, but it’s important to do so thoughtfully. Cutting them won’t harm your plant as long as it’s done properly. Many plant owners choose to trim them for aesthetic reasons, especially when the roots grow unruly or start attaching to walls or furniture.In nature, these roots help the plant anchor to trees and absorb moisture from the air, helping it thrive in its native tropical environment. If you like the look of them indoors, feel free to keep them! But if you find them getting in the way, you can trim them off—don’t worry, it won’t harm your plant at all.Mature plants can sprout thick aerial roots that grow to be several feet. If you prefer a sleek appearance, it’s absolutely fine to trim these roots off close to the stem. Just make sure you use sterilized, sharp shears or pruners to prevent the risk of spreading disease.
Can I prune a Monstera that is too big?
Use essential pruning tools – like these houseplant shears from Amazon – and cut at the base of the damaged leaf’s stem. This will allow your monstera to direct all of its energy to the healthy foliage, as well as push out new growth. No new leaf growth or a lack of fenestrations (leaf-splitting) could be a sign that your monstera isn’t happy, but isn’t always an indication that something is wrong. Ripping leaves could also be a sign that your monstera is too dry, making the leaves brittle and prone to ripping.Curling Leaves The large fenestrated leaves of monsteras are often the first things to signal any signs of stress. One way for them to do this is by curling their leaves.No new leaf growth or a lack of fenestrations (leaf-splitting) could be a sign that your monstera isn’t happy, but isn’t always an indication that something is wrong. Ripping leaves could also be a sign that your monstera is too dry, making the leaves brittle and prone to ripping.Do Monsteras go into shock after repotting? Sometimes, yes, especially if you disturb their roots too much. While a little drooping is normal, the right care can help your plant recover quickly and continue growing strong.
Can I cut the vines off my monstera?
Cut vines at different lengths—try some about one-third down, others one-quarter down. Trim just above a leaf node to prevent bare stems. Remember, monstera root easily from stem cuttings. If your monstera is overgrown, cut back slowly removing no more than one-third starting out. Always cut above a node where a leaf stem joins the main stem. Damaged nodes will not produce new growth. Make cuts at a 45-degree angle to encourage water runoff and rapid healing.It works great. Online research about propagating monstera suggests you can root cuttings in water or put directly into soil and both should work. But on this page people seem to *only* propagate in water, and let roots become significantly developed before potting.No, a Monstera plant doesn’t prefer to be root-bound. While it’s true that the plant can tolerate being snug in a pot for a short period, it’s actually not good for its health and growth in the long run. Hence, you should repot the Monstera plant when the roots start to outgrow the pot.Monstera deliciosa can only be propagated when the cutting includes a node. Propagated nodes can take up to 2 to 3 months before forming new leaves. Mature plants should be watered weekly, or when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry.
What month to prune Monstera?
Or your monstera may look pristine and not require any pruning for the season. If pruning is needed do it during the growing season in spring and summer to reduce stress and help plants recover. Generally, you should water monstera when the top few inches of soil feel dry. I don’t water on a schedule, but I do check the plant on a schedule, says gardening author Lisa Eldred Steinkopf. Don’t give your plant water just because it is Thursday, for example.Your Monstera plant may appear droopy after repotting, due to transplant stress, root shock, struggle to adjust to its new home, inability to absorb water from the soil, lack of sufficient light, and low-temperature conditions.Water your Monstera when the top few inches of soil feel dry, typically every 7–10 days, though this can vary with your home’s conditions. Use the soak-and-dry method: water thoroughly until the soil is evenly saturated, then let it dry out before watering again.Repot Monstera whenever it becomes root-bound. A plant that appears top-heavy, with roots emerging from the bottom drainage holes, is a hint. These signals need to be confronted early on. You’d want this during the growing season.
Is it okay to cut off Monstera aerial roots?
Yes. It won’t hurt the plant to cut them off. But you could also trim them and stick them down into the soil when you repot. They’ll provide extra stability for the plant. Plants grow from their tips …you have to make sure that the bottom will re-shoot. If you cut it back so hard that you don’t see any leaves, there is a good chance that those shoots won’t survive at all, leaving you with bare patches.If the stem tip of the plant is cut, apical growth of the plant stops growing. Lateral buds start growing due to which branches are formed.Keep in mind that when you cut off branches, you’ll encourage the plant to put on new growth near the base of the plant. You can make a cut below any node on a branch if you don’t want to completely remove it. For example, cut back each branch by 1/3 or 1/2 if you simply want to control the size of the plant.If they bother you, cut them. The less leaves the plant has to worry about, the better the others will grow and hopefully push out bigger new growth. I usually cut the ones without holes as they age and as I get larger leaves with fenestrations.
Why is my monstera growing so many aerial roots?
In nature, these roots help the plant anchor to trees and absorb moisture from the air, helping it thrive in its native tropical environment. If you like the look of them indoors, feel free to keep them! But if you find them getting in the way, you can trim them off—don’t worry, it won’t harm your plant at all. These roots are a natural part of the plant’s structure and play an important role in the plant’s survival. Trim the Aerial Roots â•If the aerial roots are getting too long or becoming unsightly, it’s time to trim them. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to trim the aerial roots.