Are you looking for a low-maintenance, on-trend houseplant? You cant go wrong with a type of Monstera. The fenestrated foliage (leaves with holes) that develop in mature plants is why most houseplant enthusiasts covet them.
There is one feature of monstera deliciosa plants that can turn their look from beautiful to bedraggled, and thats their aerial roots. So, what do you do with these prominent protrusions? Can you cut them off, or is it better to leave them be? Read on to learn more about fast-growing monstera aerial roots and how to handle them.
Aerial roots grow above the soil line from the stem. They provide anchoring support, absorb water, and uptake nutrients. They are most often found on epiphytic plants and vining plants.
Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, is an incredibly popular houseplant these days. Its hole-filled, split leaves are quite beautiful and add a touch of the tropics to any space But one distinctive feature of monsteras can become problematic – their aerial roots These thick, woody vines grow both up into the air and down into the soil. While aesthetically interesting, they can also look messy and get unruly fast.
So what’s the truth about putting those aerial roots in water? I’ve seen this monstera care hack suggested everywhere from Instagram to Pinterest. The idea is that giving the roots constant moisture will help the plant grow bigger and faster. But is this tip actually helpful or harmful for your plant? From my experience as a houseplant enthusiast, I decided to dig into the pros and cons of growing monstera aerial roots in water.
What Are Aerial Roots?
First, let’s cover the basics. Aerial roots grow above the soil line, reaching up into the air. Monsteras and other climbing tropical plants like philodendrons and pothos produce them to help provide support and stability as the plant matures. Aerial roots start off green and flexible but turn brown and woody as they age. They can grow quite long, even several feet!
These specialized roots have a few key functions
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Anchoring – They help anchor the plant in place as it climbs. The thicker they get, the more support they provide
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Absorbing moisture – They can take in water and moisture from the humid air. This helps supplement the water the plant gets from the roots in the soil.
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Seeking light – Aerial roots grow toward light sources like windows and grow lights. More light means more energy for photosynthesis.
The Appeal of Putting Aerial Roots in Water
When you first get a young monstera, the aerial roots are often small and cute. But give it some time, and soon you’ll have a jungle vine situation on your hands! It’s easy to see the appeal of finding a solution to manage those unruly roots.
Advocates of putting aerial roots in water cite several potential benefits:
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The roots may absorb extra moisture and nutrients, helping the plant grow faster.
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The added hydration could allow you to water the soil less often.
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It prevents messy roots from taking over your living space.
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The look of vining aerial roots trailing into water matches the tropical vibe of monsteras.
With these purported benefits, it’s understandable why this monstera care tip has become so popular online. But just because something sounds good in theory doesn’t mean it works well in practice.
The Case Against Allowing Aerial Roots to Sit in Water
While aerial roots in water might seem helpful on the surface, the reality is that this technique often does more harm than good. Here are some of the biggest risks:
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Risk of root rot – Constant moisture enables fungal and bacterial growth that can rot the roots. Roots are adapted to get water from soil that dries out between waterings.
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Plant instability – Wet aerial roots lose strength and woody supportiveness. This can cause the plant to droop or even fall over without the roots to anchor it.
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No added hydration – Monsteras don’t absorb much, if any, extra hydration from aerial roots in water. Focus on proper soil moisture instead.
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No nutrients – Plain water doesn’t provide any beneficial nutrients that aerial roots need.
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Messy maintenance – The vessels with water must be refilled often and will spill over frequently, creating a wet mess.
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No propagation – Aerial roots alone won’t grow new plants. You need a node for propagation.
Overall, the drawbacks of situating monstera aerial roots in water long-term seem to outweigh any small perks. For the health and stability of the plant, it’s best to avoid this questionable care tip.
What Houseplant Experts Say About Aerial Roots in Water
I’m not the only one wary of this popular monstera hack. Many professional botanists and houseplant experts advise against keeping aerial roots permanently submerged in water. Here’s what a few top sources in the field say:
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“Roots require air circulation. Standing water invites pathogens and rot.” – Darryl Cheng, author of The New Plant Parent
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“Aerial roots absorb moisture from humid air. Putting them in water contradicts their specialized adaptation.” – Dr. Leonel Sternberg, tropical botanist
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“Occasional misting provides aerial roots sufficient moisture. Constant immersion in water risks disease and instability.” – Joyce Mast, Bloomscape Plant Mom
The consensus among the experts is clear: avoid keeping monstera aerial roots in water permanently. An occasional misting meets their air moisture needs without jeopardizing the health of your plant.
What to Do Instead with Monstera Aerial Roots
Rather than putting aerial roots in water, here are some better ways to manage them:
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Tuck back into the pot – Conceal unruly roots in the potting mix while still giving them access to nutrients.
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Train onto support – Use a moss pole, coir pole, or trellis to neatly direct growth in an aesthetic way.
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Trim away – Prune back excessively long or messy roots for a tidier look. They will regrow eventually so it’s temporary.
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Mist occasionally – Use a spray bottle to provide moisture without risking root rot from constant wetness.
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Group plants – Let the aerial roots intertwine for a wild, jungle look. Works well with multiple potted plants.
Caring for Monstera Aerial Roots
Beyond the debate around water, here are some other tips for keeping your monstera’s aerial roots healthy:
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Provide bright, indirect light but avoid direct sun burning the delicate roots.
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Maintain proper soil moisture – aerial roots can indicate underwatering.
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Consider staking and training the roots as a natural climbing support system.
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Increase humidity if possible to prevent aerial roots from drying out.
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Avoid burying thick, mature woody roots as they require air circulation.
The Bottom Line on Aerial Roots in Water
You Must Repot Monsteras with Aerial Roots Carefully
With the right conditions, fast-growing monsteras are houseplants that need repotting annually. When their aerial roots wrap around a trellis or other support, this can be tricky. Here are some tips:
- Gently tip the pot onto its side and arrange the foliage and aerial roots on top of a supportive blanket to help prevent any damage.
- Rope in an assistant to help support the plant, making things easier, especially when dealing with a large, mature plant.
- Always tease the root ball out of the pot gently, taking care not to pull the bottom of the plant stems.
- Try wrapping everything in a light sheet. Support the root ball and and aerial roots with the sheet while filling around the root ball with potting soil.
If a few aerial roots break off while repotting, its okay. An otherwise healthy plant will bounce back just fine.
Monstera Aerial Roots Aren’t Harmful
While you might not like the unruly look that the thick, brown aerial roots give your monstera, they wont harm your plant or surrounding structures. Plus, they help the plant in terms of support. When they curl around a moss pole or trellis, they can stop it from drooping over.
Some enthusiasts embrace aerial roots and the unique, jungle-like vibe they create, while others might cut them off or train them to go back down into the soil for a cleaner look.
Monstera Roots – 4 Things to do with Aerial Roots – Monstera deliciosa (2023)
FAQ
Is it good to put Monstera aerial roots in water?
Should I Put My Monstera Aerial Roots in Water? Yes, when propagating Monstera in water, it is essential to submerge the aerial roots and node.May 3, 2023
Can you propagate Monstera from aerial roots?
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Nodes are crucial:Propagation of Monstera requires stem cuttings that include at least one node. Nodes are where new leaves and roots develop.
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Aerial roots lack nodes:Aerial roots are primarily for support and nutrient absorption, not for initiating new plant growth. They do not have the necessary growth points (nodes) to form new stems and leaves.
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Focus on stem cuttings:If you want to propagate a Monstera, you’ll need to take a stem cutting that includes a node. You can include the aerial roots on the stem cutting, but they won’t be the source of new growth.
What to do with long aerial roots on Monstera?
- If the aerial roots are not bothersome, they can be left to grow freely.
- They may add a natural, somewhat “jungle-like” aesthetic to the plant.
- Even if the roots don’t seem to be reaching for support or a moss pole, they won’t harm the plant.
Can you leave Monstera roots in water?
Monstera plants have the ability to thrive and root in water, making them a popular choice for those who prefer hydroponic gardening. With proper care, you can grow your Monstera in water permanently.
How to grow aerial Monstera?
The simple hack of putting aerial monstera roots in a glass, jar or even bottle of water around the aerial roots can make leaves grow faster in some cases. The roots will grow longer, and grow small white, water roots around it. This will enable the plant to grow leaves quicker if the plant is already lacking in water.
Do Monstera aerial roots need to be watered?
Placing monstera aerial roots in water can help the plant quicker if the plant is already underwatered. For plants that are watered regularly, there is a chance that the plant will absorb too much water using this method. Here are the easy steps to put your aerial monster roots in water to encourage faster leaf growth. 1.
Can you put Monstera roots in water?
Don’t Put Aerial Roots in Water 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. However, the aerial roots aren’t designed to be permanently submerged in water, and it could lead to root rot and a less healthy or even dead plant.
Is Monstera a tap plant?
Monstera is a monocot. And like others, it has a fibrous ground root system, not a tap kind. Also, this plant has adventitious roots. Adventitious roots grow from nodes, stems, internodes, leaves, or other plant body parts and not from the basal or radical. Aerial roots are just one type.
How do monsteras grow?
More light paired with high humidity is perfect for fast monstera growth. Monsteras will often grow aerial roots that will reach down into the soil if they are growing in the right conditions. These aerial roots will absorb water and nutrients from the soil and help to stabilize the plant.
What to do with Monstera aerial roots?
Afterward, we will tell you what to do with Monstera aerial roots. Here we’ll let you know whether to cut or trim them, put them in water or soil. Flowering plants fall into either monocotyledon (monocot) or dicotyledon (dicot). Monocots have only one cotyledon or embryonic leaf, while dicots have two. Monstera is a monocot.