Knowing about Monstera aerial roots and what to do with monstera aerial roots Is interesting because these brown, dangling roots attract particular interest.
Have you ever noticed those strange, aerial roots coming out of the stem of your Monstera Deliciosa?
Some want to understand if it is normal for Monstera to produce them, perhaps because the plant did not have them when purchased.
Others are just fascinated or annoyed by it.
In today’s post, we delve into the aerial roots of Monstera to understand the following:
- Why does Monstera make aerial roots?
- How should they be treated?
- Can they be cut?
- What are aerial roots?
- Is there something you should do with them?
Don’t worry. It’s normal, but you may have many questions about them.
If you are interested, click here to learn how to flower Monstera. [Link]
What are Aerial Roots?
Aerial roots are roots that develop above the ground. They tend to provide support for climbing plants such as Monstera and tropical trees. The tree clings to nearby supports.
Many species of Monstera, like deliciosa, Monstera adansonii, etc, produce roots from the nodes that form along the stem.
👉Click here to read the different types of Monstera.[Link]
Due to its sarmentosum habit, the aerial roots of the Monstera help it to anchor itself to the trunks so it can grow in height in search of light.
These roots arise and grow exposed to the air. Usually, the plant matures, and the stems have reached a certain thickness.
Along the nodes (where the leaf emerges) of the stem, a swelling is created, giving life to a white radicle. As it grows over time, it can reach a considerable length. Even 50-60cm
They soon develop a thick layer of brown, dry-looking skin to counteract dehydration.
If aerial roots come into contact with a moist surface, they tend to be attracted to it.
This is due to the humidity gradient, allowing them to find a surface to anchor in nature. And to grow around it until it clings. This process is slow and gradual.
The roots have time to adapt to the change in humidity little by little. If we repot the aerial roots into potting soil or pack them in damp sphagnum moss, there is a good chance they will rot.
We must proceed gradually or leave the plant free to take its course.
We have nothing to do with the aerial roots on a Monstera Deliciosa. But they can be pruned if you don’t like the look.
Why Does Monstera Produce Aerial Roots? And How They Are Useful?
Monstera Aerial Roots Are Used For Climbing And Support.
The primary function of the aerial roots is to allow the Monstera plant to cling to the trunk, stake, or branches of trees and grow vertically.
Monsteras, like some orchids, use their aerial roots to adhere to other structures they then use to grow.
This is important in their natural habitat, where Monsteras compete with much taller tropical trees and plants for sufficient sunlight.
By doing so, it can reach brighter tropical forest areas and receive more light.
Click here to learn How To Quickly Grow Monstera From Seed
In nature, the purpose of aerial roots is to allow Monstera to grow into taller trees so that its leaves can reach sunlight in the upper canopy, which rarely reaches the ground.
By doing so, it can reach brighter tropical forest areas and receive more light.
Click here to learn how to support Monstera By staking. [Link]
As it can grow so large. Without the ability to use aerial roots to grow into trees, Monsteras would not be able to get enough sunlight in the jungle.
Monstera Aerial Roots Are Used To Absorb Water And Nutrient
They also have another task: absorbing Water from atmospheric humidity and from the surface of the bark or moss on which they grow.
In the case of Water absorbed from air humidity, we are talking about a very small water intake.
If the aerial roots rest on moss or between the veins of the bark, it will be greater.
I say this because at home, there are usually two scenarios:
- The roots grow dangling
- They rest or grow on the brace.
Suppose they grow loose without touching any surface or on a dry surface. In that case, the contribution of Water that the Monstera aerial roots will give to the Monstera will be minimal.
However, using a support that can absorb Water, such as a moss pole, the roots can contribute significantly to absorption and nutrition.
It is clear that you will need to wet the brace regularly. In any case, the water supply is reduced compared to the roots inside the pot, and their main function remains support and anchoring.
Monstera Aerial Roots Are Used For Reproduction By Cuttings.
Thanks to the aerial roots, Monstera cuttings are much easier to make and reproduce the plant.
Since you will not need to wait any longer for the cutting to form roots in Water, you can place it in a substrate, and the new plant will begin to grow.
What To Do With Monstera Aerial Roots
Now that we’ve learned about Monstera aerial roots, we must discuss what to do with them.
Aerial Roots will not harm your plant and indicate that your Monstera is growing very well; you may not like how they look as they can be untidy, long, and thin.
Support The Monstera Aerial Roots
What to do with Monstera aerial roots: Monsteras are climbers and will continue to look for ways to support themselves.
Providing support to your Monstera aerial roots would be good. It is a great option to use a Moss pole and offer it something to hold on to.
The best-recommended option is a moss totem or pole, support covered in peat moss or coconut fiber that the Monstera can adhere to and grow over time. These can be purchased or made.
Once in place, it’s simple to find the thickest, most mature stems and gently tie them to the pole to encourage the plant’s aerial roots to attach.
You will need to mist the pole periodically to keep it moist. This will simulate what the Monstera would look for growing on a tree in the wild.
Some Monstera owners also pass the more established aerial roots through the new moss pole.
You can do this, but it’s unnecessary. It probably won’t make much difference in how long your Monstera adapts to its new support system.
Offering your Monstera a moss pole will encourage its aerial roots to grow toward the pole rather than all over the place.
The moss pole gives your plant a much cleaner appearance. It encourages it to grow taller, producing larger leaves with more fenestrations if old enough.
Click here to learn how to support Monstera Aerial Roots. [Link]
Direct Aerial Roots Back Into The Soil
What to do with Monstera aerial roots? Monstera Aerial Roots can be planted back into the soil.
If you don’t like unruly roots, plant them on the substrate before cutting them.
This way, they can continue to receive beneficial nutrients and, more importantly, provide support without constantly attaching the monsteras to a moss stake, a wooden plank, or a wall.
You hear the hard brown root sheath crunch when bending mature woody roots. The inner aerial root is likely intact if it has not been bent excessively.
Remember, however, that aerial roots continue to grow and will probably protrude above the ground again at some point.
Use The Monstera Aerial Roots To Propagate Your Monstera.
Being concerned about what to do with Monstera aerial roots, The aerial roots indicate the exact point to obtain a cutting ready to root.
It is advisable to cut below the node with several aerial roots.
Then, after choosing a soft, draining soil, pot the cuttings, and you will notice how quickly they can root.
To learn more about the propagation of Monstera, click here. [Link]
Use The Monstera Aerial Roots To Absorb Nutrients.
Monstera Aerial roots also draw moisture from the air, providing more Water to the plant.
You can wrap damp sphagnum moss around the aerial roots to ensure the plant can supply the humidity it needs.
Sphagnum moss can retain a lot of humidity without leaving the aerial roots soaked.
This trick will allow you to exploit the presence of a large quantity of aerial roots to the plant’s advantage.
It is important to note that moisture absorption is not the primary purpose of an aerial root.
Please don’t neglect your plant with the idea that it should be able to get enough water through the aerial roots alone.
Can You Use Aerial Roots For Propagation?
Unfortunately, if you only have one aerial root, it is not possible.
You can’t create new monstera plants from aerial roots you cut off. They do not have nodes to support the growth of new roots.
You will need a piece of Monstera stem with at least one node for better propagation. Ideally, it should also have a leaf or two.
If an aerial root grows out of the node on your Monstera cutting, that is perfectly fine.
Cutting can sprout roots from this point, giving you a new Monstera plant.
How To Care For Monstera Aerial Roots
Since Monstera aerial roots mainly perform the support function, they do not require any particular care.
Monstera, the aerial roots contribute to water absorption from atmospheric humidity. Still, it can be neglected on a healthy plant in such small quantities.
You can spray some water on top but know that it’s just an “extra pampering” that the plant doesn’t need.
Don’t be alarmed if the Monstera has aerial roots that appear dry. It is due to the superficial layer of the epidermis and is completely normal.
However, I consider this practice Follow this simple step to keep them healthy
Care For Your Monstera Aerial Roots By Providing Support
Monstera aerial roots possess a natural climbing habit. Giving your plant the proper support structure for these roots to grow.
Train the roots to grow against walls, moss poles, shelves, and trellises to maintain a tidier appearance and give the plant the extra support it needs.
While juvenile roots are quite flexible, more mature roots may require additional assistance to guide their growth.
Care For Your Monstera Aerial Roots By Providing Adequate Humidity.
Monstera plants are known as native to tropical rainforests, so they do well in environments with high humidity, and their aerial roots can absorb moisture from the air.
To ensure your monstera aerial roots remain healthy, consider the following;
- Spray the aerial roots regularly with Water
- Opt for a humidifier if necessary to maintain ideal humidity
- misting the Monstera Aerial Roots
Only soak them for Reviving Dehydrated Roots, But they don’t necessarily need to be soaked in Water.
People recommend soaking the aerial roots in Water to make them grow faster and help the Monstera hydrate.
In my opinion, this will only cause the roots to rot. Since they are grown in a dry environment like air, the chances of them being able to adapt to Water are slim.
It is much more likely that root rot will increase or that they will suffocate due to lack of oxygen.
Soaking Monstera Aerial Roots in Water may be helpful for a few scenarios.
- Propagation
- Reviving Dehydrated Roots
When soaking roots, keep these points in mind:
- Use Room Temperature Water
- Avoid Extended Soaking
- Allow for Proper Drainage
Summary: let me Remind you Monstera aerial roots are made to extract moisture from the air.
Make sure to provide a humid environment. Regular misting of the plants can also contribute to their well-being.
Water Your Monstera Plant
Water your Monstera plant properly, but before you start to Water the plant, check the top inch of soil by dipping your finger about an inch or two to check for soil moisture.
If the topsoil feels dry, Water it; if it feels wet, do not. Allow the top of potting soil to dry out before watering again, but make sure the soil dries before watering.
Care For Monstera Aerial Roots By Pruning
Suppose your Monstera is developing wild aerial roots that extend out of the pot and reach the ground. In that case, you may want to consider pruning them.
Cutting off aerial roots near where they attach to the stem will not harm the plant. Just wait for them to grow back.
However, use sterilized and sharp scissors to avoid diseases and infection.
Click here to learn how to sharpen pruning scissors [Link]
Can Monstera Aerial Roots Be Cut Or Pruned
You can cut Monstera Aerial Roots, but it is unnecessary, except it looks old and dirty.
The first thing to know is that they should not be pruned for no reason. Aerial roots are a natural part of Monstera plants and usually do not need to be cut.
However, if the roots get in the way or affect the desired appearance of the plant, they can be trimmed.
When cutting aerial roots, using clean, sharp tools is essential to avoid infecting the plant with fungi or bacteria.
If the Monstera is healthy and has a strong (soil) root system, the aerial roots can be cut without any problem.
The plant will struggle to anchor itself and grow vertically, but it will not risk dehydration. In this case, the decision is purely subjective.
Make sure you use sterilized scissors (or a blade) and make a clean cut.
Know that the aerial roots sometimes constitute a lifeline for the plant.
Let me explain better with an example.
Suppose we have a Monstera Deliciosa with a root system destroyed by root rot. She has few roots left, and she can no longer hydrate herself.
In this case, having aerial roots is a big advantage because by nebulizing them, we can help them absorb Water.
Not much, but it could be enough to keep the plant alive long enough to rebuild a strong root system.
Click here to prune a Monstera plant.
How To Cut Aerial Roots Step By Step.
Pruning aerial roots is no different than any other type of pruning, so if you have experience caring for plants, this should be fairly easy.
See my article on the care of the Monstera Deliciosa or the Monstera Adansonii.
You will need a clean, sharp, and sterilized set of scissors. As with any pruning, scissors must be sterilized.
Not sterilizing dose pruning, scissors can introduce bacteria and fungi that can arise to damage or kill your plant.
Although that is the worst-case scenario, we should know that Monsteras are known for being quite resistant, so it is better not to take risks.
Prune the aerial roots of your Monstera to the stem, cutting just before where the root meets the node or stem.
Try not to cut too close, as damaging the stem can weaken and allow bacteria, fungi, and pests to attack your plant easily.
Removing the entire root, not just the part, is also important.
Pruning the aerial roots of a Monstera Deliciosa should be done after the growing season, generally in the spring and summer.
It would be best if you remembered that pruning can stimulate the growth of aerial roots, resulting in multiple roots growing where there was only one before.
If you decide to prune the aerial roots of a Monstera, remember that these extensions serve a purpose in your plant’s growth.
Although you may not want to encourage Monstera to grow upwards, it is designed to do that.
Removing the aerial roots not only goes against nature but will also cause the plant to lose some of the moisture it would have accumulated through the aerial roots.
Prune Monstera Aerial Roots Aftercare
After cutting the monstera aerial root, monitor your plant to ensure its health and proper recovery.
Maintaining adequate Water, light, and humidity levels for your Monstera to thrive is another thing to put on when maintaining a prune Monstera Aerial Roots.
Periodically evaluate your plant for additional maintenance needs or potential problems.
Risks For Cutting A Monstera Aerial Roots
When carrying a risky tax, it is important to consider certain precautions.
Through my Discovery, I found out that cutting Monstera Aerial Roots is the possibility of introducing infections or diseases to the plant.
To avoid infection, disease, or damage to the entire plant, sterilize and use sharp scissors when cutting those roots.
Cutting Monstera aerial roots can affect the overall growth of your Monstera because they serve a vital function in supporting the growth and stability of the plant, as I have said earlier.
What Is The Difference Between Underground Roots [Lateral Roots] And Aerial Roots?
Lateral roots are roots below the ground, hence the underground root, while Aerial Roots grow above the soil.
The lateral root is the root that most people are familiar with.
The purpose of lateral roots is to anchor the plant in the soil, absorb nutrients from the soil, and absorb available Water.
Almost all plants, except air plants, have these roots. The term “lateral” comes from the fact that they grow laterally from the main root that extends from the stem.
Aerial roots are does roots that grow above the ground. They are common in many plants and trees, including mangroves, ficus trees, and several varieties of ivy.
Aerial roots can serve several different purposes. Some aerial roots in parasitic plants destroy and decompose the host plant.
Dwarf Mistletoe is a great example of parasitic Aerial Roots.
These parasitic plants grow on trees but cannot photosynthesize on their own, so they use a root-like growth to bore into the host tree and extract nutrients from it.
Others, such as spider plants, develop aerial roots that serve as a means of propagation.
In these plants, aerial roots develop shoots that grow miniature from the mother plant and then fall and take root on their own.
Click here to learn how to propagate a spider plant. [Link]
However, in Monsteras, aerial roots have two main functions: helping to anchor the plant to a support, such as a tree or moss stick, and collecting moisture from the air, increasing the plant’s access to Water.
Support is the primary purpose of the aerial roots of a Monstera Deliciosa.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the aerial roots of Monstera Deliciosa are a normal characteristic of this plant and do not require any special intervention.
However, if you don’t like how they look, you can prune them without causing damage to the plant.
Another option is to provide a Moss stick or totem pole so the Monstera can climb and grow orderly.
Ultimately, deciding what to do with aerial roots depends on your personal preferences and your goals for your Monstera.
More articles about Monstera. [Link]
