How do I propagate my Monstera houseplant?
Go propagation mad, because how lovely is it to expand your indoor jungle? Taking cuttings yourself is great fun and kind to your wallet too! You are probably a huge fan of this gorgeous Monstera houseplant and would happily have more. But what is the best way to go about it? Read on and find out how to propagate your Monstera.
What do you need to propagate a Monstera?
The Monstera is an easy houseplant to propagate! But what exactly do you need to make it a success:
- One or more good aerial roots
- A sharp knife or pair of scissors that is clean
You also need to decide in advance whether your baby Monstera is going into water or into soil. If you stand the cutting in water, you need a glass of lukewarm water, ideally a clear one. If you put the cutting in soil, you need a small pot of your choice with some potting soil in it.
Why do you need an aerial root?
The best way to propagate a Monstera is with its aerial roots. The Monstera is a little different from other houseplants here: most houseplants have their roots at the bottom of the stem, while the Monstera also has roots further up the plant. You can recognise aerial roots by the small brown bumps that grow out into long trailing roots. Not every Monstera has aerial roots straight away, and we strongly recommend waiting to take cuttings until your Monstera has developed some.
How do I find the right stem on the Monstera?
It is important to choose a stem that has an aerial root, or one where a root is starting to appear. It is also a good idea to choose a stem with just 1 leaf on it. If you pick a stem with several leaves, the cutting needs a lot of energy to develop them, and a lot of water evaporates through those leaves as well.
Taking the Monstera cutting
Once you have found the right stem, you can cut it off with your clean scissors or knife. Always cut 5 centimetres below the aerial root, and cut at an angle, because that gives you a better chance of root growth. After that you can put the root in water or in soil.
Standing the Monstera cutting in water
If you let the cutting develop in a glass of water, it is important to choose a glass with enough room in it. If the glass is too small the roots cannot develop properly and growth will be very slow. It is also important not to stand the cutting in cold water, but in lukewarm water. Once the roots are about 5 centimetres long, you can move the cutting into potting soil.
Putting the Monstera cutting in soil
You can also choose to put your baby Monstera straight into soil. The advantage is that it saves you some effort and the cutting does not have to adjust from water to soil. The drawback is that you cannot see properly how the Monstera is developing.
