Monstera will develop profusely if we provide it with conditions that resemble its natural environment. The optimal temperature is 18-27°C, and air humidity should be at least 60%. Regularly watering the leaves and aerial roots and providing the plant with appropriate support will make its development spectacular.
Aerial roots appear naturally on the monstera. Most often, their development intensifies in warm, humid places that resemble the natural environment of tropical forests of Central and South America. In the wild, monsteras use aerial roots to climb trees and reach lightwhich it needs for photosynthesis.
In home conditions, air roots begin to develop when the plant becomes larger and prepares for further growth. You can notice them around the nodes of the stem – the places where the leaves grow.
In the natural jungle environment, the aerial roots of plants have a stabilizing function. They attach to the bark of trees, allowing the monstera to climb towards the light. Thanks to this, it can reach impressive sizes while maintaining stability. At home, the roots also look for support points, such as coconut stakes or poles covered with moss, imitating natural supports.
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It is also worth noting that Monstera’s aerial roots are adapted to absorb moisture and dissolved nutrients directly from the environment. In humid tropical climates, they function as an additional irrigation system, drawing water from the air. At home, especially with appropriately increased humidity, they can play a similar role, supporting the irrigation of the plant and improving its condition.
Caring for monstera aerial roots does not require much effort, but the right approach can significantly affect the health of the plant. Avoid pruning them as they are a natural support for the monstera, both in terms of stabilization and nutrition. They play an important role in the gas exchange process, enabling the plant to take in oxygen from the environment and excrete carbon dioxide. The best solution is to direct the aerial roots towards the supporte.g. poles with moss, or leaving them to grow freely.
During the heating season, the air can be extremely dry, that’s why you should regularly spray the monstera’s aerial roots with water. Then we will keep them in good condition and make them perform their function better. You can also wrap them in moist moss, thereby increasing the humidity around the plant and giving it a slightly more exotic look.
If your monstera grows to impressive sizes, be sure to use supports. Coconut or bamboo stakes imitate the structure of the plant’s natural environment, facilitating its growth. Once the roots attach to the support, the monstera will become more stable and its stems will be able to develop in a more orderly manner.
Aerial roots are an ideal starting point for propagating Monstera. If they have already developed properly, you can easily create new seedlings from them:
- shoot selection: find a healthy stem that has both a leaf and an aerial root;
- cutting: cut off the shoot just below the aerial root node using a sharp and disinfected knife;
- rooting: place the seedling in water, making sure the root is submerged. Change the water to prevent bacterial growth.
Once the aerial root develops into a full-fledged root system, transplant the plant into a pot with well-drained soil.
