How to Propagate A Monstera Plant
The only thing better than a monstera is two (or more) monsteras! Luckily, monstera propagation isn’t difficult.
Monsteras are some of the most beautiful plants out there, and we don’t blame you if you want more than one of these gorgeous climbing plants in your home.
Not only is monstera propagation pretty simple, but this is a frugal way to grow your plant collection and a way to prune your monsteras when they get too big.
It’s also fun to create more “babies” from your favorite plants, and cuttings and propagated plants make great gifts for your planty friends!
There are several main methods for monstera propagation, so let’s explore these so you can propagate your beloved monstera and grow your plant collection!
Monstera Propagation Made Simple
There are two main ways to propagate a monstera: directly planting stem cuttings, separating, or air layering. All of these methods work well, so it’s a matter of personal preference. Try them all to see how you like them!
Before you get started: Make sure to use a high-quality rooting hormone to get your plant to produce more roots in less time. This will give greater chances of success. Our Houseplant Propagation Promoter contains rooting hormones specific to monstera and includes protection from fungal and bacterial infections that can kill your cuttings.
One more thing: The best time to propagate is typically in the spring when most plants are going through a growth spurt. You can propagate at other times, but you may not get the same results because the plants might not grow as fast.
Here’s a rundown of how these methods work.
Monstera Propagation: Three Methods
Method 1: Monstera Propagation Via Stem Cuttings
For this method, all you have to do is remove a lower leaf from your monstera right below a node so that the node is on the cutting. A node looks like a little bump or blemish on the stem that occurs just below a leaf or stem. These nodes turn into the new aerial roots when the plant is propagated.
Use a clean, sharp tool like a knife or pruning shears. You don’t want to crush or bruise the stem, and you definitely don’t want to infect the plant with a bacterial infection.
Then you can stick the leaf straight in the soil or place it in a vase of filtered water. (You can also leave a container of tap water out overnight so any chlorine and other chemicals evaporate.)
Keep the vase or pot in a warm, sunny place. Change the water and rinse the stem every few days. Before long, you should see little roots starting to grow!
Typically this takes 3-6 weeks.
It doesn’t get any easier than that, right?
We love this method because there’s nothing more beautiful than a few mature monstera leaves in a clear glass vase!
Method 2: Monstera Propagation Via Separation
Another great way to propagate a monstera is by separating it into two or more plants. This works best if your plant is large and starting to bust out of its pot! That way, you can reduce your plant to a manageable size and get more monsteras to gift or keep!
Here’s how to do this:
Make sure to water your plant before you begin.
Carefully remove your monstera from the pot by tipping it on its side and coaxing it out with your hands. You might need some help if your plant is big or if you have a moss pole or other support.
Then, use a sharp knife or shears to cut the roots so that you have two or more plants. Be careful not to break any of the stems or leaves!
Once you’ve separated, repot each plant into a clean pot with drainage. Make sure the pots are only 2-4 inches larger than the root balls.
Then, water the plants and put them in bright spots! After a month, you can resume fertilizing with Monstera Plant Food.
Method 3: Monstera Propagation via Air Layering
The idea here is that you prompt aerial roots to grow on the mother plant BEFORE you take your cutting.
For this, you’ll need sphagnum moss. (You might have some leftover from making your moss pole.)
Then find a node right below the stem you’ll eventually want to propagate and make a small incision with a clean, sharp knife or pruning shears. It’s okay if there are already roots nearby.
Wrap that node and the cut in the damp sphagnum moss and secure the moss with string or a twist tie. Then wrap the whole thing in plastic wrap and secure, but not too tight, because you’ll need to keep the moss moist.
Every two or three days, remove the plastic wrap and spray down the moss with filtered water in a spray bottle before re-wrapping.
After a few months, you’ll notice plenty of strong, healthy roots growing from the stem in the wad of moss. After about two months, you can cut the stem from the node and plant straight into a new pot!
Which Monstera Propagation Method Is Best for You?
Plant propagation might sound complicated, but you’ll get the hang of it in no time. If one cutting doesn’t work out, try again with another.
For even better success with propagation (especially with stem cuttings!), try our Propagation Promoter to stimulate healthy root growth!
If you’re new to propagation in general, monsteras are a great plant to start with. You’ve got this!
More about our new Houseplant Propagation Promoter!
To propagate more quickly and with more success, we recommend using our newly designed Houseplant Propagation Promoter. The exclusive formula helps support strong growth and photosynthesis, and it protects new cuttings against bacteria and toxins that can cause new cuttings to fail. With this easy-to-use product, you will be able to clone your best plants more quickly, even tough-to-propagate species like fiddle leaf figs. It also comes with a free Complete Propagation Guide, which includes photos and step-by-step instructions. Click here to buy now.
To learn more:
- Sign up for our free Ultimate Monstera Webinar.
- Subscribe to our newsletter.
- Click to join our community on Facebook: Monstera Plant Resource Group.
- Read our Ultimate Monstera Watering Guide here.
- Be sure to grab your essentials here: Monstera Plant Food, 3-in-1 Moisture Meter, Premium Potting Soil, Houseplant Propagation Promoter, Houseplant Leaf Armor (which protects your houseplant from bacteria, fungus, and insects—and also cleans and adds shine to its leaves!)
