Some plants—especially climbing plants like monsteras—don’t just grow roots under the surface of the soil. Also, these plants have aerial roots, which are roots that grow above the ground and near the top of the plant. Discover all the facts you need to know about monstera aerial roots to keep your plant healthy and happy.
Monsteras are famous for their iconic split leaves and vigorous climbing vines. As the vines mature you’ll notice chunky brown aerial roots growing out in search of support. While these roots are part of the natural growth habit some gardeners prefer to trim them for a neater look. But is it safe to cut monstera aerial roots?
In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about monstera aerial roots, including whether and how to cut them. You’ll learn why the roots form their purpose when it’s best to trim them, and proper cutting techniques to keep your monstera thriving.
What Are Aerial Roots and Why Do Monsteras Grow Them?
Monsteras are epiphytic plants native to the rainforests of Central America. In the wild, their vines climb up tree trunks into the forest canopy to reach sunlight. The aerial roots help attach and secure the vines to trees as they scale up.
Inside your home, a potted monstera doesn’t need to climb. But genetically, it doesn’t know that! So even when grown indoors, a mature monstera produces aerial roots as if searching for a tree to cling to.
In addition to helping attach to trees, aerial roots also play other key functions:
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Absorb water and nutrients – The velamen tissue on the roots can take in moisture and dissolved minerals from rain, humidity, and debris accumulating around the roots. This provides extra nutrients.
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Photosynthesis – The green roots contain chlorophyll and can perform a small amount of photosynthesis to make energy.
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Structural support – Thick roots reinforce the monstera’s climbing structure.
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Damage recovery – If soil roots are damaged, aerial roots can help absorb water and nutrients.
So in short, aerial roots are not just for climbing – they serve many important purposes for a monstera’s health. Even indoor monsteras genetically grow them!
Should You Cut or Trim Aerial Roots?
Because aerial roots are part of the natural growth of monsteras, cutting them off is purely an aesthetic choice. Trimming the roots won’t harm the plant if done properly.
Here are some reasons you may want to trim aerial roots:
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Improve appearance – Some people find the brown roots unsightly or messy looking. Keeping them trimmed promotes a more orderly, intentional appearance.
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Contain size – Over time, thick dangling roots can make monsteras look unruly and take up a lot of space. Trimmed roots help keep the plant looking neater and more contained.
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Control growth – Removing aerial roots can slow down energy spent on unwanted vine growth, focusing it instead on the main plant.
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Reduce risk of rooting – If aerial roots reach the ground, they may root into the soil and send up new vines. Trimming prevents unwanted propagation.
Of course, there are benefits to keeping aerial roots intact as well:
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Natural look – The roots are part of the iconic jungle appearance of monsteras. Keeping them can promote a wild, lush look.
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Extra nutrients – The aerial roots are able to take in and transport additional moisture and nutrients to support plant growth.
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Fortify structure – Thick older roots help structurally reinforce vining stems. Removing them can sometimes cause stems to droop if they had been relying on the roots for support.
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Allows propagation – Letting aerial roots reach soil allows the plant to root new offspring vines, essentially propagating itself!
So whether to cut aerial roots or not comes down to your personal preferences on appearance and growth habits. There are good reasons for either choice!
When Should You Trim Aerial Roots?
If you opt to trim aerial roots, timing is important. Here are some tips on when to prune them:
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Dry season – Avoid cutting during active growth spurts in spring and summer. Trimming in fall or winter causes less stress.
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Young roots only – Don’t remove thick, mature woody roots as this can damage main stems. Only trim younger slender roots.
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As needed – Monitor every few weeks and trim only when roots are getting unruly. Avoid over-cutting.
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Not while rooting – Don’t trim aerial roots that have reached the soil and begun rooting, as this can disturb new growth.
The best approach is to check on aerial root growth every few weeks during the dry season. Trim only as needed to control wayward roots, leaving healthy established roots intact.
How to Trim Monstera Aerial Roots
Trimming aerial roots properly is important to avoid harming your monstera. Follow these tips:
Use sterilized, sharp pruners
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Clean tools with alcohol to prevent spreading disease through open cuts.
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Sharp blades make precise cuts instead of tearing or crushing.
Cut at 45 degree angle
- This creates a larger wound site for quicker and easier healing versus a straight blunt cut.
Seal cut ends
- Applying a little rooting hormone powder or sealant to cut tips prevents disease.
Cut cleanly through younger roots
- Slice easily through thin, immature roots. Leave thick woody roots alone.
Avoid removing more than 1⁄3 of roots at once
- Cutting off too many stresses the plant. Trimming just the worst offenders lets the plant recover better.
By carefully trimming only juvenile roots with sterilized, angled cuts and sealing the tips, you can neatly control aerial root growth without shocking or damaging your monstera.
Caring For Monsteras After Root Trimming
After aerial root pruning, your monstera will benefit from some extra TLC as it recovers from the stress:
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Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated. Roots absorb more easily without aerial roots.
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Mist leaves occasionally to boost ambient humidity while new air roots regrow.
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Fertilize every 2-3 months with balanced houseplant fertilizer to provide nutrients the roots would absorb.
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Monitor for signs of wilt and drought stress; water immediately if leaves droop.
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Check for sap bleeding at cut sites, which can attract pests; wipe away any exuded sap.
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Allow filtered sunlight only, no direct sun, to reduce demands on the plant.
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Wait 2-4 weeks before trimming any additional roots to allow recovery time.
With attentive care after pruning, your monstera will quickly bounce back as flashy new aerial roots emerge!
Troubleshooting Monstera Aerial Root Problems
Sometimes trimming aerial roots can lead to new problems. Watch for these potential issues:
Stem drooping
If a thick, woody root was cut too short and the stem slumps, use a stake or trellis to support the stem until new roots establish to brace it. Avoid removing major structural roots.
Leaves yellowing
Yellowing lower leaves may indicate the plant is stressed by losing too many aerial roots at once. Improve conditions and wait longer between prunings.
Cut root tips browning
Apply rooting hormone and antifungal spray to cut tips to prevent rotting. Make sure to sterilize pruners before each cut to avoid disease spread.
Vine decline
Overzealous root cutting can divert energy away from the main plant. Leave some aerial roots intact for nutrients and to restrain pruning.
Encouraging New Aerial Root Growth
If your monstera vine is looking leggy or sparse after root trimming, you can use these tips to promote new aerial root growth:
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Increase humidity – Roots thrive in moist air. Group plants, use a humidifier, or pebble tray to boost humidity.
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Mount vertically – Attaching vines to a moss pole or wall mimics climbing and stimulates new root growth.
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Rich soil – Replenish nutrients in potting mix with worm castings or compost to fuel growth.
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Bright light – Some direct sun reaching leaves and vines helps energize the plant so it can photosynthesize and grow.
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Patience! Healthy monsteras will naturally regenerate aerial roots over time.
With the proper care after cutting, your monstera will return to its former jungle glory in no time!
Best Monstera Varieties for Managing Aerial Roots
While all monsteras produce aerial roots, some varieties are better choices if you want to limit unruly roots:
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Monstera adansonii – The vine-like roots of this relative are thinner and easier to control.
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Monstera siltepecana – This slow grower has daintier roots that stay more orderly.
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Monstera deliciosa ‘Borsigiana’ – Compact variety has slower root growth than the species.
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Young plants – Juvenile monsteras have not yet produced thick mature roots that can be challenging to manage.
Starting with one of these types will give you more control over aerial root growth from the beginning!
Final Thoughts on Trimming Monstera Aerial Roots
While allowing aerial roots to grow freely promotes a wild jungle vibe, keeping them trimmed results in a more refined and intentional appearance. As long as you properly sterilize tools and make clean cuts on young roots only, pruning aerial roots won’t harm your monstera. Just be sure to provide a little extra care while new roots establish.
With the techniques in this guide, you can maintain the perfect level of aerial root growth for your taste and growing situation. Strike a balance between an unruly forest of roots and a sparse over-pruned plant. Your ideal monstera is within reach with careful aerial root management!
What to Do With 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!
To be honest, pruning will make even more aerial roots grow, so try doing it in late summer or early fall, after the growing season, to stop new growth.
Cutting back the aerial roots might make your plant grow more slowly, so this might not be the best option if you want to make a huge monstera with big, fenestrated leaves. Let the roots do what they were meant to do: climb! If you really want a big monstera, you should leave the roots alone.
What Do Monstera Aerial Roots Look Like?
On a well-established monstera, you’ll notice aerial roots growing from the nodes on your plant. Younger roots may look like little more than bumps that grow into little green “branches. ” Older aerial roots may be brown and even become woody. These roots can grow quite long!.
Over time, a healthy monstera can grow a lot of aerial roots. This can make the plant look messy and make it hard to pot. Some monstera plants have roots that stick out of their pots and try to climb up walls or furniture. This can damage paint and finishes, so if your monstera is trying to climb your brand-new entertainment center, you should keep those roots in check.
If your monstera’s aerial roots are getting out of control, you have two options: pruning and supporting.
Monstera Roots – 4 Things to do with Aerial Roots – Monstera deliciosa (2023)
FAQ
What happens if you cut monstera aerial roots?
How to get rid of aerial roots?
Can you cut aerial roots off monstera reddit?
Can you cut Monstera aerial roots?
Yes, you can cut Monstera aerial roots if necessary. If the roots are giving trouble or damaged, trimming them can be done carefully to maintain the plant’s health. Ensure you use clean, sharp tools and make the right cuts. The Monstera plant is a popular showy houseplant.
Do Monstera plants need aerial roots?
The growth stage of your Monstera plant is another essential factor to consider before trimming aerial roots. During the early stages of growth, the aerial roots aid in anchoring the plant to its support structure, like a trellis or moss pole.
How do I protect my Monstera plant from aerial roots?
If your Monstera plant is located near walls or furniture, you may need to take extra precautions to prevent damage from aerial roots. One option is to install a trellis or moss pole for the plant to climb on, which can help redirect the growth of the roots away from other objects.
How do you repot a Monstera with aerial roots?
When repotting a Monstera with aerial roots, carefully remove the plant from its current pot, being mindful not to damage the roots. If the aerial roots are long, consider gently wrapping them around the base of the plant. Place the Monstera in a new pot with fresh, well-draining soil, and water thoroughly. Why do Monstera grow aerial roots?