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Monstera demystified: What are those long roots?

Learn all about the long air roots of Monstera plants! Discover what they do, how to care for them, and tips to make your Monstera thrive. Turn your plant into a stunning part of your home!

Roelof Jan Elsinga - Plant care for Beginners Author

Written by Roelof Jan Elsinga

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If you want to turn your living room into a jungle, Monstera is a must-have plant! They grow quite quickly, are fairly easy to take care of, and have these amazing deep green leaves with holes (fenestrations).

If you've taken care of them for a while, you'll have noticed that Monstera grows really large and long roots from their stem. If you're anything like me, you'll have been wondering what these roots are and if you can safely trim them from your plant.

This guide will bring you all the answers you're looking for! These are the topics we're going to look at in this guide:

  1. What are those air roots?
  2. What can you do with these air roots?
    1. Prune them
    2. Redirect / Train them
  3. Misconceptions you might have seen on social media
  4. How can you help Monstera grow healthier air roots?

Let's get started!

What are those air roots?

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Monstera is a climbing plant. It likes to grow against trees or rocks to remain stable. It's stem isn't strong enough to support the weight of all of these large leaves. In fact, if you don't support your Monstera, it tends to grow horizontally rather than straight up. That's where these air roots come in!

These air roots are roots that help to support the growth of your Monstera. If you're using a moss pole to help your Monstera grow up, you'll notice the plant will use these roots to hold onto the moss pole or any other support you might use.

These roots are completely normal and aren't a sign of stress. Your plant is simply trying to remain stable.

What can you do with these air roots?

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These air roots give your plant a jungle vibe, but not everyone likes the look of them. So when you see all of these roots appearing on your plant, you might not be that happy about it. So what can you do?

Well, luckily you have options! There are 2 things you can do:

  1. Prune the roots
  2. Redirect the roots

Prune them

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That's right, if you don't like the look of these air roots, you can prune them. Your Monstera doesn't need these roots to get nutrients from the soil, they're only really there for support. So when you prune them, your Monstera will still get nutrients from the soil and will continue to grow.

Redirect / Train them

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If you don't want to prune the roots, you can also redirect them (carefully). These roots are fairly flexible, especially the thinner roots. You can carefully shape them in ways that look good to you.

For example: Do you like the look of trees in mangrove forests? You know, with many roots going down into the water, sort of looking like a tree has many stems? You can get the same effect with your Monstera. Simply redirect the air roots back into the soil and let them grow.

Misconceptions you might have seen on social media

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A few years ago, there was a trend on social media where plant owners were placing pots with water around their Monstera and carefully redirected the roots into these pots, so they were submerged by water. This was supposed to help with absorbing more nutrients for the plant, in addition to just absorbing nutrients from the soil. However, this is a bad idea.

Earlier in this guide, I mentioned that these roots are air roots and don't function like normal roots. They're there for support, not for absorbing nutrients.

By submerging these "roots" in water (semi) permanently, it could cause these air roots to start rotting.

To help your Monstera to grow better, make sure to water it properly, fertilize it regularly, and give it enough sunlight. Don't submerge the air roots in water. For more tips on taking care of Monstera, take a look at my plant care guide on the Monstera.

How can you help Monstera grow healthier air roots?

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The air roots, as we've discovered, are natural for your Monstera. They're climbing plants, so these roots are a way for them to remain stable when they're growing. Perhaps you're someone that likes the look of these air roots and want to help them grow.

These air roots are there to support the plant while it's growing, so to encourage their growth, you need to make sure your plant is growing well. This means you should make sure you water it enough, fertilize it according to the instructions of the fertilizer you've purchased, and giving it a few hours of indirect sunlight per day.

If the plant is healthy, it'll grow the air roots quickly.

Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.

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About the Author

Roelof Jan Elsinga - Plant care for Beginners Author

Meet Roelof Jan Elsinga, a passionate and knowledgeable plant care enthusiast. With 6 years of personal experience, Roelof Jan has gained a wealth of knowledge on indoor plant care. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced plant owner, Roelof Jan's practical advice and deep understanding of various plants and their needs can help you become a successful plant caretaker.

Although Roelof Jan may not have formal gardening credentials, his expertise has been cultivated through caring for many plants and providing valuable guidance to fellow plant lovers just like you.

Roelof Jan is always eager to expand his knowledge. He dives into many different sources to deepen his understanding, stay up-to-date with the latest findings and is always happy to receive feedback. He takes great care to ensure that the recommendations he provides are not only practical, but also accurate.

Roelof Jan's main focus is to offer reliable and easy-to-understand information and support to all plant lovers out there, helping them confidently navigate their plant care journeys with success.

Frequently asked questions

What are air roots on a Monstera plant?
Air roots are special roots that grow above the soil. They help the Monstera plant grab onto trees and get nutrients from the air while also seeking support.
Why does my Monstera have long air roots?
Long air roots can grow when your Monstera is looking for more support or trying to soak up moisture from the air. It's just a natural part of how the plant grows!
How do air roots help the Monstera plant?
Air roots are super helpful for the Monstera! They allow the plant to grab onto nearby trees or surfaces, giving it a strong hold. This makes the Monstera healthy and helps it grow big and strong!
Should I cut the air roots off my Monstera?
You don’t need to cut the air roots unless they are unhealthy or damaged. They are helpful for the plant, so it's best to let them grow!
How can I care for my Monstera's air roots?
To take care of your Monstera's air roots, make sure it's in a humid spot! You can mist your plant or put a tray with pebbles and water underneath it. This will keep those roots happy and healthy!
Do all Monstera plants have air roots?
Yes, most Monstera plants develop air roots as they grow. It's a common feature, especially in larger, mature plants!
What should I do if my Monstera's air roots are turning brown?
Air roots on a Monstera plant can be brown naturally, but they should feel solid and not mushy. If they're mushy, it might mean they are rotting. In that case, it's best to trim away those mushy roots to keep your plant healthy!
Can I use the air roots for propagation?
No, you can't use the air roots for propagation because they don't have any nodes. Nodes are the little bumps on the stem that can grow roots to feed the plant. But don’t worry! Monstera plants are super easy to grow from stem cuttings, so you should definitely give that a try.
How does humidity affect my Monstera's air roots?
Humidity is super important for your Monstera's air roots because they drink up moisture from the air. When there's more humidity, your Monstera's air roots can be much healthier and happier!
Can air roots grow into the soil?
Yes! If the air roots of your Monstera plant touch the soil, they can grow down into it. This is a great way for the plant to get extra support!

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