Table of Contents
Over time, your monstera plant will grow aerial roots from its stem. Do not cut off these aerial roots—they are there to support the plant. When any aerial roots that are not supporting a climbing plant are long enough, gently train them back into the soil to take up additional nutrients.
Do you bury aerial roots Monstera?
Monstera deliciosa is a climber in its natural habitat, using its aerial roots to cling to large trees, so you should provide it with moss-covered support sticks or a trellis. If its aerial roots get unruly you can trim them, but it’s best to just tuck them back into the pot.
Can I put aerial roots in soil?
Aerial roots on houseplants provide good examples of roots that you can plant. You can propagate these plants by clipping off a piece of the stem just below an aerial root and potting it up. Not all plants with aerial roots can be planted in soil. Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants for structural support.
Should I put aerial roots in water?
This is supposedly because aerial roots can absorb moisture, which is true. However, placing them in water 24/7 probably won’t do much more than make them rot and possibly endanger your plant. What you can do, however, is regularly spray your Monstera’s aerial roots.
Can I put aerial roots in water?
Generally no, you can’t just take an aerial root and put it in water or soil and expect to get a new plant. Roots generally don’t contain the cells needed to produce a new plant on their own. If you would like to propagate a plant with aerial roots, take a cutting with a node and an aerial root.
Why does my Monstera have so many aerial roots?
Aerial roots on your monstera plant are normal and not a sign of trouble with your plant. In its natural habitat, the monstera plant is a climbing plant. Aerial roots are just a manifestation of the plant’s climbing pattern. They’re there to support its growth.
Should you cover aerial roots?
Yes, absolutely. If they’re not doing any harm, leave them. And by harm, I mean poking someone in the eye, or just generally getting in the way. Monstera’s aerial roots won’t do damage to your brickwork like ivy can, but they can damage the paint.
What can I do with air roots?
If your Monstera is developing wild-looking aerial roots growing out of the pot and onto the ground, you can consider trimming them back. Cutting the aerial roots near where they attach to the stem won’t harm the plant. Expect them to grow back, though.
Do Monsteras like being root bound?
Although most plants do not like to be root bound, some won’t survive without repotting. For example, one such plant is monstera deliciosa, which does not like to be root bound. Growing this plant in a small container means not having enough nutrients, water, and oxygen.
Why is my Monstera drooping after repotting?
Monstera leaves drooping after repotting is more likely if the roots were in bad shape, or if they were damaged during the repotting process. Make sure to be even more attentive than normal to your Monstera for several weeks after repotting to make sure it settles into its new home.
How do you know when Monstera needs repotting?
A Monstera deliciosa should be repotted every two years, preferably during the spring when it enters the growing season. Signs that a Monstera needs to be replanted sooner include overgrown roots, a lack of new growth, and poor water retention.
Can you propagate a Monstera without an aerial root?
Unfortunately not. You will never be able to grow a Monstera deliciosa from a cutting without a node. Nodes contain the structures needed to create new growth. A Monstera leaf can stay fresh in water for a long time and may even grow roots, but new stem and leaf growth can only come from a node.
How do you keep aerial roots from drying out?
Instead, aerial roots that look dried out means that the orchid needs more humidity. To raise humidity levels, you can mist your plant using a spray bottle. You can also place a tray with rocks and water (also known as a humidity tray) under your orchid pot.
What is the purpose of aerial roots?
Aerial roots help to anchor the plant firmly, while also contributing to the uptake of water and nutrients.
Will aerial roots grow back?
Yes you can. Cutting the aerial roots from your Monstera Deliciosa will not damage the plant and the roots will grow back in no time. You can also leave them be but it can be an eyesore to some people.
What happens when roots are exposed to air?
Air pruning happens naturally when roots are exposed to air in the absence of high humidity. The roots are effectively “burned” off, causing the plant to constantly produce new and healthy branching roots. Damaged root systems also cause leaves to turn yellow or brown, shrivel or drop.
Are aerial roots bad?
Conclusion: are aerial roots bad? As we can conclude from the above, aerial roots aren’t necessarily bad. They just mean your succulent is trying to fulfill a need. This need can be natural (in ground-covering plants and plants that grow pups) but it can also be caused by a care issue (etiolation, lack of water).
Can you put Monstera roots in water?
Like many other plants, the Monstera deliciosa can easily be rooted in water. Besides making for a beautiful display piece, water propagation is a relatively easy way to produce multiple new Monsteras with very little work. All you need is a few tools, lots of sunlight, and plenty of time.
