Have you ever wondered where the typical holes on Monstera leaves come from? Interestingly, these appeared evolutionarily as the plant adapted to its natural habitat of tropical jungle soils to allow more sunlight and rain to penetrate the lower parts of the plant. But maybe your Monstera doesn’t have any leaf holes after all? This is perfectly fine as most plants will develop the holes as they mature. This eye-catching plant has been a real Instagram celebrity for a long time. It is therefore not surprising that it is one of the favorites of most plant lovers. With its unique foliage and exquisite appearance, the Monstera will make any room Instagrammable. In addition to its decorative qualities, the plant also has other benefits. It is air-purifying, very robust and extremely easy to care for.
That’s why we would like to tell you today how you can multiply Monstera and establish them permanently in your own four walls. While there are several methods of propagating your Monstera plant, each involves a few specific but simple steps and no extra money. We show you the three best of them!
Monstera plants have not been in vogue for a long time for nothing
Propagating Monstera by cuttings
Without a doubt, the most common way to propagate your Monstera plant is to use its stems for cuttings. This plant grows quite large so you will have plenty of propagation material on hand. You can start taking cuttings from your Monstera during the spring and summer months as this is the time when the plant is actively growing.
Also, you should take cuttings from new, young stems to increase your chances of success in terms of root development.
When propagating Monstera, always use clean and well-disinfected secateurs
Using sharp and clean pruning shears, take as many cuttings as you like. The cuttings should be at least 13-18 cm long and they must also contain at least two leaves, a node and an aerial root. To prevent the mother plant from developing diseases later, we highly recommend putting a pinch of ground cinnamon where you made the cuts. After that, you can think about whether you want to root the cuttings in water or directly in the ground. Monstera cuttings are usually quick and easy to root, so you don’t need to dip their cut ends in rooting hormone to enhance root growth.
Lime-free water and rainwater are perfectly suited for this method
Monstera propagate by division
The perfect time to divide your Monstera is in early spring at the start of their active growing season. It is more likely to recover from root stress and continue growing as if nothing happened. A tip for better results and mother plant health: treat your Monstera to a nice bath a week before the planned propagation date. This step prepares the plant for what comes next.
When the time is right, remove your monstera from its soil and use a sharp, clean knife to cut its root ball into two or three parts. Each section should have plenty of roots and stems attached if you want the plant to grow well after division. For optimal growth, you should plant the baby plants in pots that are 5-10 cm wider than the roots and have drainage holes at the bottom.
Be sure to water extensively for a good new start
Propagating Monstera by Air Layering
When it comes to propagating a Monstera, what is known as air layering is also a preferred method. However, you have to consider the risks of making many cuts in the mother plant. With this method, you only cut off parts of your Monstera when the new baby plant, with its newly developed roots, is more than ready to move to a new container.
First look for a trunk that contains a few nodes, as these will be the protruding spots of future roots. You can also opt for a leaf that grows out of a stem and has a short aerial root just below. Once you find them, you should cut a small notch about 1/3 the width of the trunk, making sure you cut it just below that knot or root.
Next, wrap a 1 inch layer of peat moss around the stem where you made the notch. Mist the peat moss with water until it feels damp. Be sure to wrap the substrate in plastic wrap to conserve more moisture. With proper care, the roots should show up after a few months. In this case, you can use a clean and sharp garden tool to cut the stem just below the roots. Then plant the young Monstera in a flower pot filled with fresh, well-drained potting soil.
Propagating Monstera is easy with Air Layering
Whichever method you choose, you’ll get as many attractive Monstera plants as you want. You can conjure up a homely atmosphere in the popular Urban Jungle furnishing style or simply add decorative eye-catchers here and there.
Have fun with it and good luck with the Monstera propagation!
You can even use the monsteras as a stylish table decoration while they are multiplying in the water
They also feel at home on the windowsill
The Monstera – a remarkable houseplant that you should definitely invite into your home!
Sources:
Monsteraliebe.de
MDR.de
