How To Propagate Monstera Plants: 3 Methods

If you want to grow an evergreen vining plant in your indoor garden in a short amount of time, then choosing Monstera Deliciosa houseplant is the way to go.

Native to South and Central American jungles, Monstera plants are fantastic indoor houseplants to because they add to the home décor.

But, if you’re an avid indoor gardener and already have a Monstera plant, then you’d already know that a Monstera can easily outgrow your gardening space.

In such a situation, or if the plant is getting too old, the best remedy is to propagate your Monstera plant.

Not only will it help you to clean the clutter, but it’ll also allow you to regenerate this incredible plant.

This article will help you to learn how to propagate Monstera, so let’s discuss it in detail.

Related post:

• Monstera Varieties to Grow in Your Indoor Garden

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How To Propagate Monstera Plant?

You can propagate Monstera Deliciosa by using a two different ways:

1. Using Monstera plant seeds,
2. Air layering, or
3. Stem cuttings

Stem cutting is by far the most popular method as compared to the other methods.

Nonetheless, we will discuss step-by-step on all the methods in detail.

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Propagating Monstera Plant Using Seeds

When the Monstera flowers reach the stage of maturity, which usually takes about a year, you can harvest the seeds from them.

But the biggest problem with harvesting seeds is that this swiss cheese plant sometimes doesn’t produce healthy seeds or doesn’t even flower in the indoor spaces. In order to produce seeds.

Monstera plants needs the most optimum conditions and care.

That’s the biggest reason propagating Monstera using seeds is not common and popular. Moreover, the lifespans of the Monstera plant are also very short.

They can’t withstand cold temperatures, which keeps them from drying. In simple words, if you come across such a situation, you’ll need to wait for another season. 

On the other hand, if everything goes well, you’ll need to follow the standard procedure with Monstera seeds. You’ll need to place them in warm and moist soil.

Read further for: Best Potting Soil Brands For Herbs, Potted Vegetables & Indoor Plants

Keep in mind that these plants have a tendency to grow in darkness, so you don’t need to worry about the sunlight.

After placing them in soil, it will take about three weeks for the seeds to germinate, and you can then place them in your favorite container or pot.

Most gardeners seldom uses this method to propagate monster plants.

However, we did want to mention this method as propagating Monstera houseplants is indeed possible.

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Propagating Monstera Plants by Air Layering

If you want to grow the aerial roots without cutting them from the main Monstera, you can use the air layering process.

The chances of survival in this process are higher, and here’s how you can achieve it.

Step One

You will need some sphagnum moss, twisty ties, and plastic wrap (avoid using dyed moss as it stains everything for multiple days). 

Step Two

Select the desired node (healthy and mature) and use your sharp scalpel or knife to make a minor cut. Sanitize your equipment before cutting in order to avoid contamination. 

Step Three

Wrap the sphagnum moss around the cut area as well as the node. The knot must not be too tight to make sure it maintains moisture.

You will begin to notice aerial roots showing within the plastic wrap.

Step Four

Spray the sphagnum moss after every 3 to 4 days with clean water by removing the wrapping.

It will take a few weeks, and the strong air roots will start to emerge. Once it’s done, consider cutting the stem to put it in the container to let it grow faster.

New air roots will begin to form, from this point on.

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Propagating Monstera Plants by Stem Cuttings

This procedure is the most popular and will probably be more efficient – especially if you’re a beginner because it’s very easy to root the stem.

You can follow the procedure step-by-step below to achieve the best results. 

What is Better? Propagating Monstera Cuttings in Soil or in Water?

There are two ways to propagate Monstera plant cuttings:

1. By water, or
2. By soil.

Both soil and water are great mediums to propagate the swiss cheese plant as both can generate great results.

Moreover, both of them also have equal chances of success (and failure), but with a little caution and care, you can achieve it very easily, even if you’re a beginner.

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We recommend you go for the water propagation procedure if you want to observe the whole development procedure keenly.

But you need to keep in mind that in this process, you’ll have to go through the repotting inconvenience, which can slow the growth rate down.

On the other hand, you don’t need to deal with any repotting hassle in the soil propagation procedure. Nothing will slow down the process once the plant starts to emerge.

But you will need to wait for about a month without having any clue about the development process.

When is the Best Time to be Propagating a Monstera Plant

The best time to be propagating a Monstera plant is summer or spring (warm temperatures). The Monstera plant that you’ll choose for cutting must be strong and healthy.

The warm weather will it keep the stem from decomposing once it’s in soil, but it’ll also accelerate the development process.

Items You Will need to Propagate Monstera Houseplants

• A stem cutting with some nodes, leaves, or aerial roots
• A sanitized sharp scalpel or knife
• Rooting hormone
• Soil or water to serve as a potting or rooting medium

We recommend a repotting / propagating kit that comes complete with all the tools you’ll need to propagate Monstera plants and any other plant you may have.

Moreover, a sharp scalpel or knife will allow you to make sure that you don’t infect or bruise the branch in the cutting process.

How to Propagate a Monstera Plant Cuttings in Water

Step One

Identify a mature and healthy stem below a mature leaf node but in the middle of the internode from the mother plant. We recommend you go for the lower branch part that will produce the aerial roots easily.

It’s also crucial for better rooting that the leaf node you choose should also have an emerging aerial root (nub). You can find it at a petiole intersection, and it looks like a small pimple.

If you have access to a moss pole, this will help tremendously as the moss pole gives your plant a soft attachment point for the aerial roots to grow into.

Think of a moss pole as a small stake for your aerial root to grow onto.

Step Two

Using your sharp knife or scalpel to snip the selected stem at the internode. Make sure to avoid a blunt cut because it can infect the mother plant branch and damage the stem.

It might slow down the whole process, and sometimes it can also decompose once buried in the soil. 

Keep the soil lightly moist so the roots can draw moisture from.

Step Three

Beyond the third node, remove the stalk and extra leaves that can draw important nutrients from the stem. Otherwise, the branch might continue to grow, and the whole growth process will slow down.

Step Four

Take a glass of fresh and warm (room temperature) water and drip the cutting into it.

Avoid scorching the emerging aerial roots or the freshly cut stem and consider using the filtered, distilled, rain, or aged water for the optimal combination of minerals

Step Five

At this point, you’ll need to add the rooting hormone. However, it’s an optional step, but it’ll speed up the whole process.

The rooting hormone comes in handy, especially if you’re living somewhere with a cold temperature where the rooting will be more complicated as the plant will be in a dormant mode.

We especially like this brand of rooting hormone to use when propagating any plant you may have.

Step Six

In order to allow the new buds to grow in the upward direction, you’ll need to carefully position the stem.

It’ll make it easier for you to pot the Monstera plant once the stem has grown the aerial root. Consider placing your glass with the Monstera cutting somewhere with a bright light to stimulate the development of new roots.

These steps might seem simple, but you’ll need to be cautious the whole time.

You’ll need to change the water after every 3 to 4 days to make sure that the plant continuously gets a sufficient nutrients supply. It will also keep your cutting, especially the aerial root, from becoming root rot. 

You aim for root growth, not root rot.

You may start noticing, within a matter of a couple of weeks, newly grow roots are emerging at the nodes.

This will depend upon multiple factors such as nutrients in your water, availability of rooting hormone, and the health of the stem.

Don’t rush to put it in a container or a pot right away, because the roots at that point will be very weak.

They won’t be able to withstand the vigorous growth, and you’ll need to wait a couple of more weeks before placing it in the container.

How to Propagate a Monstera Plant Cuttings in Soil

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The process of Monstera propagation in the soil is pretty much similar to propagating this swiss cheese plant in water.

However, there are some differences as well, and you’ll need to take some different precautionary measures as well. The selection and preparation process of the Monstera stem is exactly the same.

You’ll need to take a different approach to pot the branch as well as to monitor the leaves’ growth.

Step One

Target a mature and healthy stem that at least has three nodes or leaves.

Step Two

Use your sharp scalpel or knife to cut down the lower part of the selected stem.

Step Three

Remove the stalk and extra leaves to keep the development process quick.

Step Four

Prepare your potting mixes such as African violet mix or loamy soil. Make sure that the soil is rich in nutrients and drains quickly.

Step Five

Place your fresh cutting in the soil (two to three inches down). At this point, don’t worry about the sunlight, as it’s buried in the soil.

Step Six

Use the warm water (room temperature) to sprinkle the soil and place the cutting at some warm place.

Step Seven

Use rooting hormone in the water while sprinkling. However, you can also use the rooting hormone directly into the soil as well.

Wait for about three to four weeks, and the leaves will start to emerge. Emerging leaves are the most important sign of a successful Monstera propagation.

The soil process is a little trickier because you don’t have the leverage to see the emerging roots.

That’s why choosing the right branch and keeping the cutting in the best and optimal condition is critical.

Don’t forget to use the rooting hormone if you’re trying to propagate Monstera in a cold season; otherwise, it will wither.

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Common Problems When You Propagate a Monstera Plant

Multiple factors show that your Monstera propagation isn’t going in the right direction. However, a couple of most commonly occurring ones are as following:

Finding a Decomposing Stem

This problem occurs when the plant isn’t provided with the right environmental conditions, such as required warmth and moisture.

In such a situation, you’ll need to provide it with the requirements before it dies out. You can also use rooting hormones to handle the problems. If nothing works, then you’ll need to replace the stem.

Slow Rooting Process

If the environment is not warm enough and water or soil doesn’t have enough nutrients, then you’ll experience that your Monstera propagation rate is slower than usual.

In such a situation, we recommend you use the rooting hormone to speed up the development process.

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Basic Care for Monstera Plants After Propagation

Once you have successfully propagated the swiss cheese plant, don’t leave it like that by considering that the whole work is done.

In fact, the real work starts after that, and you’ll need to perform the following:

Watering

If you want to keep your Monstera healthy, you’ll need to water Monstera plants regularly. Bear in mind that this plant needs moderate watering as the soil must not be soggy.

The best watering frequency is once or at most twice a week.

The best thing we found for our Monstera plants is self-watering planters. You can either DIY your own self-watering system or buy them already made.

Light

As mentioned, Monstera doesn’t need direct sunlight as it thrives best in the indirect bright light. The bright and direct sunlight will scorch its leaves, and in the worst condition, the whole plant can also suffer.

Humidity

Monstera loves humidity, and you can create it by using a humidifier, plant grouping, or misting.

In a dry environment, the leaves start to fall off.

Temperature

You’ll need to provide the monstera plant with a warm temperature somewhere between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18.5 to 29.4 degrees Celsius).

Related post: Simple Guide To Split Leaf Philodendron Pruning

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Final Word

Producing more beautiful and charming plants is the dream of every houseplant owner.

You don’t want to head towards the nursery to get new plants because now you can use Monstera propagation to renew your garden.

If you are looking for other house plants to complement your Monstera plant, check our list of our favorite indoor vining plants.

We hope this article will help you to achieve it in the best possible way.