Hey plant friends! I’ve been propagating Monstera deliciosa (aka Swiss cheese plant) for years now, and I’m super excited to share everything I know about multiplying these gorgeous tropical beauties. Whether you’re a newbie or seasoned plant parent, this guide will walk you through the whole process step by step.
Why Should You Propagate Your Monstera?
There are two main reasons why you might want to propagate your Monstera
- Your plant is getting too big and needs trimming
- You want to create new plants (either for yourself or to share with friends!)
What You’ll Need
Before we dive in, let’s gather our supplies:
- Sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears
- Rooting medium (water, soil, perlite, or sphagnum moss)
- Clean containers
- Optional: Rooting hormone or honey
- Optional: Clear plastic bag for humidity
- Optional: Support stake
Understanding Monstera Anatomy
Okay before we start chopping, it’s super important to understand the parts of your Monstera
The Node: Your Golden Ticket
The node is basically the plant’s growth powerhouse – it’s that bumpy part on the stem where leaves emerge You MUST have a node on your cutting for successful propagation. No node = no new plant!
Types of Roots
Your Monstera has three types of roots:
- Subterranean roots (underground)
- Aerial roots (those brown dangly bits in the air)
- Aerial-subterranean roots (aerial roots that reach the soil)
Three Ways to Propagate Monstera
1. Water Propagation
This is my favorite method because I love watching the roots develop!
Steps:
- Make a clean cut below a node
- Place cutting in water, making sure the node is submerged
- Change water every 3-4 days
- Wait for roots (usually 2-4 weeks)
- Transfer to soil when roots are 3-4 inches long
2. Soil Propagation
Steps:
- Prepare well-draining potting mix
- Cut below a node
- Optional: Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant cutting so node is covered
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Wait 4-6 weeks for rooting
3. Air Layering
This is a cool method where you can see roots form before separating from the mother plant!
Steps:
- Identify a healthy node
- Make a small cut (1/3 through) below node
- Wrap damp sphagnum moss around cut
- Cover with plastic wrap
- Wait 4-8 weeks for roots
- Cut below new roots
- Plant in soil
Pro Tips for Success
- Best time to propagate: Spring or summer
- Keep cuttings in bright, indirect light
- Maintain warm temperatures (70-80°F)
- Mist regularly for humidity
- Be patient! New leaves can take 2-3 months
Common Problems & Solutions
Help! My cutting is turning yellow
- Possible overwatering
- Move to brighter spot
- Check for root rot
No roots after 6 weeks?
- Check temperature
- Ensure node is present
- Try adding rooting hormone
- Be patient!
When to Transplant
You’ll know it’s time to transplant your water-propagated cutting when:
- Roots are 3-4 inches long
- Roots have small branching roots
- New leaf growth appears
Aftercare
Once your baby Monstera is in soil:
- Water when top 1-2 inches feel dry
- Provide support for climbing
- Feed with diluted fertilizer after 2-3 months
- Increase pot size as plant grows
Final Thoughts
I gotta say, propagating Monstera is one of the most rewarding experiences in plant parenthood! While it might seem intimidating at first, it’s actually pretty straightforward once you understand the basics. Just remember – patience is key, and every failed attempt is a learning opportunity.
Got questions about propagating your Monstera? Drop them in the comments below! I’d love to help you grow your plant family.
Happy propagating!
Keep in mind that your Monstera cuttings must always have at least one node in order to grow effectively. Cuttings with only leaves might last a while in water, but they won’t grow into new plants.
How to Propagate Monstera in Soil
A popular way to propagate monstera is by rooting stem cuttings in a coarse, well-draining growing medium. You can root cuttings in perlite alone, amend standard potting mix with a few handfuls of perlite or orchid bark for drainage, or make your own propagation mix. To make your own, combine equal parts peat moss, perlite, and organic compost.
- Get the Pot Ready: Put half of the growing medium into the plant pot, leaving an inch of space at the top of the pot. Lightly moisten the growing medium. Credit: The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong .
- Take a Cutting at a Node: Pick a stem that looks healthy and has at least one aerial root, two leaves, and a node (the bumpy part of the stem that can grow new stems). Make a clean cut right below the node or an aerial root. Credit: The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong .
- Dip the Cutting in Rooting Hormone: To help roots grow faster and stronger, dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone powder. Tap the cut to get rid of extra powder; a light coating is enough. Credit: The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong .
- Plant the Cutting: Make a hole in the middle of the soil. Plant the cutting so that the node is one inch below the soil. Cover the plant with more soil and wrap any aerial roots around the top of the pot. If the roots are too big to fit in the pot, you can cut them back instead. Credit: The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong .
- Keep an eye on the cutting. Place monstera stem cuttings somewhere warm with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. After a week or two, don’t water the plant until the top layer of soil is dry. In order to avoid root rot, Credit: The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong .
When to Propagate Monstera
The best time to propagate a mature monstera plant is during the spring and summer. This is also the best time to prune back leggy or overgrown plants. If your cutting includes a node, you can use the pieces you prune off to propagate new plants. It’s still possible to propagate this plant in fall or winter, but the process might take longer.
Monstera deliciosa cuttings can only be propagated if the cutting has a node. As soon as a node is propagated, it can grow new roots. However, it may take two or three months for new leaves to show up.
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How To Propagate MONSTERA DELICIOSA 2 EASY Ways (DETAILED)
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