Propagating means to reproduce an existing plant by dividing or cloning it. How To Propagate Monstera?
The most common method is called grafting, in which a cutting from one plant is placed onto the rootstock of another to create a new tree.
This is done to propagate trees and shrubs as well as herbaceous perennials (plants with woody stems).
The Monstera deliciosa, or Swiss cheese plant, is one of the most popular indoor plants of today’s age.
The process is easy to master when you know how, and a popular plant to propagate is the stunning monstera.
If you want to learn how to propagate a monstera so that you can have multiple plants in your house, stick around! Here, we are going to go through everything you need to know.
Propagating Monstera
What You Need?
To propagate monstera, you will need:
- A piece of root stock from Monstera plant. For example, if you get cuttings from a plant that you have, make sure that it has some leaves or nodes on it.
It’s best if it has some aerial roots, too, but this isn’t essential. You need to make sure that the mother plant is healthy before getting a cutting.
Stem cuttings are good for propagating, but you need to make sure that it has at least one node. Nodes can be identified as they are circular rings that are brown.
They will be in places that a leaf used to be, and it’s the place where a new leaf will grow from. One node can support a single leaf and several roots
You can get a section of the stem that is around 8-inches long and has two or three nodes. This will mean that there will be enough chance for the plant to do well and sprout roots as well as leaves.
Generally, the longer the stem is, the more energy it has stored. This means that the roots have a better chance of growing and being healthy.
NOTE: Monstera leaves without stems will not propagate as well as a stem that has no leaves or nodes, and either aerial or regular roots that do not have stems attached. In order to propagate, the cut-off must have a stem with nodes or leaves.
- Water – you will need to water your monstera frequently
- Root medium—This is just any old potting soil that your monstera will do well in.
- A pot to keep your propagated monstera in
- A warm, sunny place for your monstera to grow
Related: The Monstera Is Loose! How To Save Your Droopy Plant
Propagation Method 1 – How To Propagate Monstera In Water – A Step-By-Step Guide
Once you have everything you need to propagate your monstera, you can begin. To propagate your monstera, you will need to:
- Cut off the part of the stem with two or three nodes
- Put the pieces of stem into clean water in a glass or something similar. You can add some Propagation Promoter to help the process along if you like
- Place the water in a bright place, like a window sill.
- You will have to change the water every week to ensure that it stays fresh and clean for your propagation.
- After several weeks, you should notice that roots are beginning to form on the stem. Once these roots reach lengths of 1-2 inches, they can be planted
- Prepare a plant pot for your monsteras to go into. These plants do well in high-quality potting soil that has peat moss. Avoid using potting soils with compost or bark in them.
Propagation Method 2 – How To Propagate Monstera In Soil – A Step-By-Step Guide
If you don’t want to use water for your propagation, you can try doing it directly into the soil of a plant pot. To do this, you will need to:
- Cut off the part of the stem of the mother plant with two or three nodes. You should use either a sharp knife or sharp scissors to do this.
- Break up the potting soil and prepare it for the cuttings
- Create holes into which your stems will fit and put the stems into the holes until all the stems are evenly distributed throughout the potting soil
- Cover each stem with soil so that only about an inch sticks out
- You will need to keep the soil damp with fresh water throughout this process to ensure that the plant grows. To help the process along, you can add some Propagation Promoter to the water that you give the cutting. This will help ward off any pathogens that could damage the cutting, while also giving the new roots all the nutrients that it will need.
Which Method Is Best?
Both methods outlined above work well and get great results.
However, many people prefer the water propagation method because there is a smaller risk of infection to the plant cutting than when it is allowed to root in soil.
The following factors may influence what method you choose to use:
- Your location and environment affect how quickly the cuttings can take hold. If you live in very cold temperatures, then the watering method might be the best option. Otherwise, you might opt out for direct rooting by planting the cuttings into soil instead.
- If you plan to put multiple cuttings in one pot, then you’ll need to stick with the watering method, as you won’t be able to separate them from one another.
If you’re not sure whether you’ll end up with more than one cutting, though, then you can always do both methods.
For example, you can plant a single cutting into soil, then once those roots start growing you can cut them back to take care of more growth.
Lots of people love having the opportunity to watch their cuttings grow roots, so because of this, the water propagation method is often a favorite.
You will have the chance to check on your plant every day and see it progress, which also makes it easier to document.
Related: 13 Types of Monstera To Boost Your Surroundings With Extravagant Greenery
Keeping Your Monstera Upright
Initially, it is unlikely that your propagated monstera will be able to stand upright on its own.
You can help your plant along by using something to prop it up until it can take root and do all the hard work itself.
This is a common problem that growers experience because the weight of the growing plant is too much for the young roots to handle.
You can use little stakes or other similar items to help the plant remain upright, and you can tie the plant to the object.
If you are unable to keep your monstera cutting upright, it will simply fall over. When this happens, the plant will either die or grow incorrectly. Try to keep it upright so that your plant grows to be healthy.
How Long Will It Take For The Monstera To Begin Growing?
If you used the water method to propagate your monstera cutting, once it is planted it should begin to grow very soon.
The roots will already have begun forming, and they will just need to take hold before the plant can start shooting up.
Using this method, you can expect the plant to start growing within the month or even week if you’re lucky.
If, however, you chose the second methods and planted the cutting directly into the soil, you will need to wait a little while. The cutting will still need to develop roots and stabilize itself as a new plant.
However, the time it takes for the plant to begin growing shouldn’t take much longer than the water method as the cutting would be sitting in water for weeks, if not months, before being planted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Monsteras Easy To Propagate?
Yes! It’s super simple and doesn’t require special equipment. All you need is a monstera cutting, potting mix, and water. Indirect light and a warm place will be perfect for this.
Do I Need To Buy A Specific Kind Of Pot When I Am Propagating My Monstera?
No! You don’t need anything fancy. Just grab an old clay pot or terracotta container and fill it halfway with potting mix.
Plant the monstera cutting into the middle part of the pot and then add more potting mix until the top edge of the pot is about 1 inch from the surface. Water thoroughly.
How Long Does A Monstera Take To Grow?
A lot depends on the method you choose. Since the cutting was placed in water for propagation purposes, it may take up to six months for the plant to reach maturity.
In contrast, planting directly into the soil means that you’ll see signs of growth in two to three months.
Are Monsteras Easy To Care For?
Monsteras require moderate care. They do best in bright light and relatively humid environments. Be sure to provide adequate lighting and misting if they need it.
Also, water about once every week. Don’t forget to fertilize the plant every couple of months. If you overwater your plant, you will put it as risk of root rot.
Do Monsteras Like A Lot Of Sun?
Monsteras prefer to grow in bright but indirect sunlight, so they do well in warm areas. Make sure that you give them enough light, though; otherwise, their foliage could turn yellowish.
Are Monsteras Toxic To Pets?
Yes, the monstera is toxic to pets as well as humans. Make sure that your pets or children do not try to eat or nibble on the monstera.
Do Monsteras Grow Fast?
Monsteras can grow between 1-2 feet per year. This slow rate of growth makes them perfect for beginners because they won’t overwhelm you.
Is Monstera Cold Hardy?
While most varieties of monstera are hardy, this type of plant isn’t meant for outdoor gardens if you live in a cold climate.
Final Thoughts
Propagating your monstera can be very rewarding. These plants are stunning and one of the favorite houseplants around today.
Their attractive appearance and large leaves make them ideal for homes of any sizes, and they make remarkable centerpieces.
If you like monstera plants, there’s no better way to get yourself some than by finding a reputable nursery who sells these beautiful plants.
Once you have a healthy one, you can propagate them and create your own little monstera plant army.
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The majority of people who have no interest in the subject, and aren’t green fingered assume that all plants and vegetables require the same growing conditions. This is not the case at all. Each plant has its own unique and interesting history and growing process.
I hope you will find The Natural List useful, and that it will help educate you on the wide variety of different flower and plant species there are across the globe.
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