As the proud owner of a lovely Monstera deliciosa, there’s nothing better than seeing those famous split leaves open up. But one day, you notice that your Monstera only has one stem. What now?
Do not worry, having a Monstera with only one stem is normal at first. With some care and time, you can help your one-stemmed beauty grow into a lush, multi-stemmed tropical showpiece.
Why Monstera Starts Out With One Stem
In nature Monstera begins life as a seedling with a solitary stem. This lone stem focuses all its energy on developing sturdy roots and a few initial leaves. Only later does it start branching out with additional stems.
When you first bring home a young Monstera plant from the nursery, it likely only has one stem since it’s still just a baby. Give it more time to mature and it will naturally start sprouting new stems from the base. But you can also take steps to actively encourage stem growth.
Be Patient – Maturity Brings New Stems
The most important thing is to be patient. Monstera plants naturally start making new stems as they get older, which can take a few years. Here’s a general timeline:
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Year 1: One of the stems that was planted as a seedling Focus is on root and leaf growth.
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Year 2: Basal offshoots emerge from the soil next to the original stem. The plant now has multiple main stems.
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Year 3+: Mature Monstera produces aerial roots that form additional stems above soil level. A mature plant can have 5+ stems.
So try not to worry if your Monstera only has one stem right now. With a little time it will gain the iconic multi-stemmed form.
Encourage Basal Stem Growth
While Monstera stems will develop naturally as the plant matures, you can encourage the process by providing ideal growing conditions. Here are some tips:
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Pot size: Ensure the pot is large enough to accommodate root and stem growth. Re-pot annually in a pot 2-4 inches larger.
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Soil: Use a well-draining potting mix. Monstera prefer slightly acidic soil with nutrients.
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Sunlight: Bright indirect light encourages growth. Direct sun can scorch leaves.
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Water: Water thoroughly when top inch of soil is dry. Too much or too little water inhibits growth.
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Fertilizer: In spring and summer, use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1⁄2 strength every 2-4 weeks.
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Pruning: Cutting back the plant sometimes stimulates basal stem growth, but research pruning risks first.
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Staking: Add a moss pole or plant support for the main stem to climb. This allows more light to reach lower parts of the plant and encourages basal offshoots.
By providing ideal conditions, you make it easier for your Monstera to direct energy towards new stem production.
How to Propagate New Stems
If you don’t want to wait for new stems to naturally emerge, propagation is an option. Here are two methods to multiply your single-stemmed Monstera:
Air Layering
This technique coaxes aerial roots to form a new stem:
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Select a healthy leaf node on the main stem with a bit of exposed aerial root.
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Wrap moist sphagnum moss around the node and cover with plastic wrap.
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Once aerial roots grow into the moss, sever below the node to create a new plant.
Stem Cuttings
You can also root stem cuttings in water or soil:
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Take a cutting with 1-2 nodes from the upper part of the main stem.
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Remove lower leaves and place in water or potting mix.
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Roots and new growth will emerge in a few weeks, creating a new stemmed plant.
While propagation takes longer than just waiting for natural basal stems, it does allow you to multiply special varieties of Monstera.
Transforming Your Single Stem Monstera
If all else fails, you can simply cut back your Monstera’s leggy single stem to force new shoots. Here’s a drastic option to completely rejuvenate your plant:
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Trim the main stem down to just 6-12 inches above the soil.
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New shoots will emerge from lower nodes within a few weeks.
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Once basal stems reach 6 inches, remove the cut back original stem.
This technique shocks the plant and causes rapid basal branching. But take care not to over-cut the main stem or remove too much foliage.
One Stem Won’t Limit Growth
The takeaway is that your Monstera’s solitary stem isn’t necessarily a problem to fret over. In fact, it’s totally normal for young Monsteras to have just one stem at first. With a little time and care, those basal shoots will start popping up.
Stay patient, provide proper care, and consider propagation if you’re eager for your Monstera to branch out. No matter what, that single stem will eventually mature into the iconic split-leafed beauty Monstera is prized for.
So embrace the journey of raising your Monstera from one stem to many! The most rewarding plants are those you nurture from a vulnerable seedling into a thriving, multi-stemmed specimen.
Propagation by stem cuttings
Follow these steps to ensure your Monstera deliciosa stem cutting roots successfully.
- Use the Monstera propagation map to help you find a node with an axillary bud. Multiple leaves on your cutting promote better rooting through photosynthesis.
- In between the nodes, cut 1 to 2 inches below them. If using auxin, rub along the cutting’s node.
- Moisten the rooting medium.
- Make a hole in the medium and insert your cutting.
- Keep cuttings moist.
- Carefully lift your cutting with a popsicle stick, plant transplant, or small spatula to see if roots have formed. If your cutting doesn’t have many roots or any roots yet, put it back into the medium. If roots have developed, you can transplant your cutting.
- Move the cutting to a new pot with moist potting soil. There should be about 2 inches of space between your cutting and the container.
M. deliciosa can be propagated in a variety of media. The main purpose of rooting media is to maintain moisture and to support the cutting and its root development. It must also drain well to prevent the cuttings from rotting.
- For new plants, perlite gives them support and gives roots oxygen and water. Most of the time, Monstera deliciosa cuttings are put in perlite.
- Potting soil: You can buy this in garden centers, hardware stores, and online. It provides support for new roots and good drainage. To keep the cuttings from drying out, the soil in the pots should stay wet. Excessively wet, cool soil can cause damping off disease.
- Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA): Because LECA drains well, it can be watered more often without making it more likely that damping off disease will spread. You can buy LECA online or at stores that focus on hydroponics and plant propagation. It might cost more than other types of media, but it can be used more than once.
- Water: Monstera cuttings can be rooted in plain water. Pros: You can see root growth in water, the plants are easy to take care of, and they don’t need much room. The water should be changed when it becomes cloudy. Cons: Roots that are grown in water are not as strong as roots that are grown in solid rooting media. Citrus and hibiscus plants, which are woody, tend to rot when their roots are in water.
Auxin is a plant hormone and a common plant growth regulator (PGR) that stimulates rooting, shooting, and blooming when propagating plants. Even though auxin is naturally found in plants, adding it to a plant cutting can help the cells divide and make it easier for the plant to grow longer root cells. Rooting hormone comes in powder, liquid, and gel forms, and you can buy it online or at garden centers.
Although M. deliciosa may root without additional hormones, auxin can promote faster rooting and dense root growth. Apply rooting hormone powder to the node before placing the cutting in the rooting medium. Auxin may also be added directly to water to encourage new rooting.
Plants can be grown in pots made of ceramic, plastic, or resin, as well as plastic food containers. There aren’t many restrictions on what you can use.
Avoid containers that have been used for storing chemicals. Examples include pesticide containers, buckets used for asphalt sealant, and gasoline and oil cans.
When choosing a container for your cuttings, consider the size of your cutting, support and drainage.
- Because monstera cuttings are top heavy, choose a container that is heavier to keep them from falling over. Containers might be made of terracotta, glazed ceramic or resin. The containers should be at least 4 inches across and 5 inches deep. A one-quart nursery pot is also a good choice. Don’t use containers that are too big because it’s harder to tell how wet the media is, which can cause you to water it too much or too little. When a plant gets bigger, move it to a slightly bigger pot.
- Provide support for your cutting until roots are formed. A piece of nylon stocking or cotton rag tied to a bamboo stake will hold your cutting in place. Once you have successfully rooted your cutting and moved it to a longer-term container, you can buy or build trellising to help your Monstera plant climb.
- It is best to grow your cuttings in pots that can drain well. At least one hole about the size of a pencil should be in your container. If your cutting doesn’t have enough drainage or too much water, the new roots may rot.
Propagation Monstera propagation map
Monstera deliciosa can easily be propagated from stem cuttings, air layering or division as long as each division includes a node (the point where a leaf develops on a stem). Cuttings that lack a node and axillary bud, such as the leaves, will not produce new growth and ultimately will rot.
The leaves and petioles of M. deliciosa will not grow on their own because new growth comes from axillary buds and nodes on the stem.
Cuttings may be taken at any time of year. We recommend supplemental lighting in the early morning or late afternoon for 2 to 3 hours and misting your plant every 2 to 3 days.
How to set up your Monstera for success
FAQ
How to get more monstera stems?
Monstera deliciosa is easy to grow from stem cuttings, air layering, or division, as long as each division has a node (the spot on a stem where a leaf grows). Cuttings that lack a node and axillary bud, such as the leaves, will not produce new growth and ultimately will rot.
What are you supposed to do with monstera aerial roots?
An often touted hack is to put your monstera’s aerial roots in water. The theory is that this helps it absorb more moisture to stay healthy. Apr 1, 2025.
Does my monstera need a pole?
Yes, a monstera plant can benefit from a moss pole, but it’s not always a necessity, especially when the plant is young. A moss pole provides support for the monstera as it climbs, encouraging larger leaves and a more upright growth habit.
How to fix a lopsided monstera?
A monstera plant grows towards the sunlight. So if your monstera only receives sunlight from one direction, then it might begin to grow towards the light. This can cause it to look like it is falling over and very lopsided. If this is the case for you, try to rotate the plant on a regular basis.