How To Propagate Monstera: Water, Soil, Air & Root Methods

how-to-propagate-monstera

You can propagate monstera using four effective methods:

We’ll review each monstera propagation method in detail below. We’ll also provide plant care tips for growing monstera.

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How to Propagate Monstera: 4 Simple Propagation Methods

Monstera is a gorgeous, low-maintenance houseplant.

It comes in many varieties, like:

    • Monstera deliciosa (the popular large leaf variety, often called the swiss cheese plant) 
    • Monstera adansonii (small-leaf monstera)
    • Monstera variegata (variegated monstera)
    • Monstera obliqua (highly-perforated leaves)

But how do you propagate these varieties?

Try these four monstera propagation methods:

Quick Tip: You can’t propagate a monstera leaf without a node. Conversely, a stem cutting (or node cutting) without a leaf is fine, but root development may take longer.

1. Water Propagation

For water and soil propagation, take a monstera cutting from the mother plant:

  • Cut a 4-6 inch section of a monstera stem (half an inch below the node) using sterilized pruning shears. Include any aerial root present in the cutting.
  • Remove most of the lower leaves on the stem cutting.
A monstera stem cutting for propagation

Now follow these steps to propagate monstera plant in water:

  1. Place your stem cutting in filtered water, submerging the monstera node and aerial root.
  2. Replace the water every 3-4 days to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.
  3. Once you notice 3-4 inches of new root growth, move the rooted cutting into Rosy’s monstera Soil (peat moss and perlite free).
Rooting a monstera cutting in water

Additional Notes

  • The plant starts growing roots quickly (about 2-3 weeks).
  • As your deliciosa (or any other variant) needs to adjust to soil, new leaf growth may take time.
  • Monstera can grow in water, but it won’t reach its full potential. For the best results, transfer it to well-draining potting soil like Rosy.

2. Soil Propagation

Follow these steps for propagating monstera deliciosa in fresh soil:

  1. Take a monstera cutting. 
  2. Plant it in a well-draining pot using Rosy’s monstera Soil. Ensure at least one node is under the soil.
  3. Water the new plant from the top, letting the excess drain out. For future waterings, water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry.
  4. Keep the monstera plant in bright indirect light.
propagating-monstera-in-soil

Additional Notes

  • After growing roots, the monstera deliciosa will produce new growth quickly.
  • Cuttings can take around 4-5 weeks to root in soil.

3. Air Layering

Want a low-risk way to propagate monstera deliciosa?

This propagation process has the lowest risk of infection, root rot, or monstera leaf loss.

  1. Make a cut below a node on the mother plant’s stem.
  2. Take a moisture-retaining medium, like moss, compost, or Rosy’s monstera soil, and wet it. It should be moist — NOT dripping wet.
  3. Use biodegradable plastic wrap or a rooting ball (available at your local plant shop or online) to wrap a fistful of the medium around the monstera node and cut.
  4. Check the medium’s moisture about twice a week. If it’s dry, open the covering and moisten it.
  5. When root growth (from the node) reaches 2 inches, sever the stem and repot the cutting.

Additional Notes

  • Opt for compost or potting soil as your planting medium instead of peat moss (sphagnum moss). It is important to avoid peat moss due to its harvesting practices, which can contribute to the destruction of vital peat bog ecosystems and can release of significant amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
  • It may take around 1-3 months for your monstera plant to sprout roots.

4. Root Division

To divide a large swiss cheese plant (or other monstera variant):

  1. Release the parent plant from its pot.
  2. Gently pull apart the root system to segment the parent plant.
  3. Repot each new plant in Rosy’s monstera potting soil. 
  4. Water the soil and keep the pot away from direct sunlight.
Monstera plant segment for propagation

Additional Notes

  • This method is suitable for propagating plants that are overgrown.
  • Be careful not to damage the parent deliciosa plant (or other variety) when segmenting it.

Monstera Propagation Care Tips

Follow these tips to propagate a healthy plant:

  • Propagating monstera deliciosa works best in its growing season — spring, summer, and autumn.
  • When growing monstera in soil, use pots with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
  • If your monstera indoor plant doesn’t get 10-12 hours of indirect sunlight daily, use a grow light.
  • To overcome dry conditions, use a humidifier when propagating monstera.
  • To speed up root growth for soil propagation, apply rooting hormone to the node cutting.

Enjoy Your New Monstera!

You now know how to propagate monstera.

If you’re transplanting cuttings into soil, your monstera indoor plant will love Rosy’s monstera soil. It’s a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix with no peat moss.

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