A Monstera becomes leggy when it doesn’t have access to enough light, causing it to become elongated and sparse. Once diagnosed, a leggy Monstera can be fixed by pruning back the leggy growth and ensuring that the plant gets enough sunlight moving forward.
Start by cutting any old or diseased leaves at the base of the stem. If you’re pruning to encourage growth, cut where you want the plant to grow. If you want it to grow taller, cut at the top. When you’re ready to actually prune your monstera, remember that pruning encourages growth, so make your cuts wisely.
Does pruning Monstera encourage growth?
Monsteras need to be pruned regularly. Pruning encourages growth and results in an all-around healthier plant. Cuttings taken from the plant properly can also be propagated, giving you a regular supply of new Monsteras. Pruning should be done in early spring before the Monstera enters its growing season.
How do you prune an overgrown Monstera?
Another way to control growth is by clipping back foliage. Trim leaves at the point about two inches below the node (where the leaf meets the stem) to shape your monstera and promote healthy growth. One option is to turn those clippings into more monsteras.
How do I fix my leggy Monstera? – Related Questions
How do you cut thick Monstera stem?
Follow these steps to ensure your Monstera deliciosa stem cutting roots successfully.
Find a node with an axillary bud (refer to the Monstera propagation map).
Cut 1 to 2 inches below the node, along the internode.
Moisten the rooting medium.
Make a hole in the medium and insert your cutting.
Keep cuttings moist.
Can you cut off the runners on a Monstera plant?
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. These air roots can grow out of control and can look unruly cables.
What happens if you cut the top of a Monstera?
Cutting Monstera leaves should be part of your regular plant care routine, especially if they are turning yellow, and so is actually good for your houseplant. If you accidentally cut a Monstera leaf though, don’t worry as it will more than likely grow back if the plant is healthy.
Can you cut long aerial roots Monstera?
Pruning Monstera Aerial Roots
If your plant’s aerial roots are getting a little unruly-looking, you can prune them. Simply use a pair of clean, sharp shears to snip them off close to the base where they grow from the plant. Be careful not to cut into the stem!
Why is my Monstera growing so many aerial roots?
Why Do Monstera Grow Aerial Roots? In the wild, monsteras are climbing plants and typically climb up trees, boulders, or even cliffs. Climbing, vining plants like these use aerial roots to affix to other surfaces.
What do you do with long Monstera aerial 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.
What to do with overgrown aerial roots?
Some people find aerial roots unsightly. If you’re one of them, feel free to simply cut them off. You will not harm the plant. In the same way that pruning of soil roots will not harm your plant (and actually promotes root branching), pruning of aerial roots will in no way harm your plant.
What happens if you bury aerial roots?
Can aerial roots turn into soil roots?
The aerial roots that hang down and make contact with the forest floor convert into normal roots underground. These are known as aerial-subterranean roots (Hinchee, 1981). They absorb water and nutrients and transport them all the way up to be distributed throughout the plant.
What happens if you put aerial roots in soil?
When should you use a moss pole for monstera?
As the monstera grows, its aerial roots will begin to grow into the moss but until that point it needs to be manually secured to the pole. You can add a moss pole to your monstera’s pot at any time, but if you want to get a head start, do it when the plant is young and has just begun to grow aerial roots.
How do you train monstera to climb?
Offer Support
If you want your monstera to grow upward, it needs something to grow on and some help staying vertical. A successful option used by many plant parents is a moss pole. The moss provides an organic form of support, and the monstera’s aerial roots will attach to the pole and help guide it upward.
Can monstera survive with only aerial roots?
Can I leave the aerial roots on my monstera? Yes, absolutely. If they’re not doing any harm, leave them.
Why is my Monstera growing aerial roots but no leaves?
In most cases, your Monstera delciosa probably is still too young. As your plant grows and ages, the aerial roots will appear. If you still have a juvenile plant, like the one below, it will probably be a little while before aerial roots start to appear.
