Monstera adansonii is a fast-growing vining plant most commonly found in Central and South America that propagates easily. This plant can grow as vines from hanging baskets and climbing walls.
The Monstera adansonii is stunning; one can never have enough of it. That is at least how I feel about it. You can even try to propagate it and grow a whole new plant to gift to your friends.
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How to Propagate Monstera Adansonii
Monstera adansonii can be propagated in sphagnum moss, perlite, water, or directly in soil. In order to propagate a Monstera adansonii you take a stem cutting with at least one node and 1-3 leaves if possible. A cutting without a leaf is fine too, as long as there is at least one node. Cuttings without a node are not viable for propagation purposes. Put the cutting into a growing medium or water. Within 3-4 weeks, the first roots will start to emerge.
Monstera adansonii Propagation Video – Step By Step Guide
Propagating Monstera Adansonii in Soil
You can propagate your Monstera adansonii in soil by cutting with a few leaves on it. First, take a sanitized and sharp pair of scissors.
If the cutting has a node, you can also propagate Monstera adansonii without any leaves.
Trim a cutting that is 1/4 inch below the node. Make sure there is at least one node on the cutting because that is where the roots will sprout out from.
Remove some leaves from the bottom of the cutting so that a few inches of the stem are left empty. This will allow the cutting to be inserted into the soil.
Place the plant in a location where bright, indirect sunlight is available. Then water the soil and keep it moist daily.
In two to four weeks, the roots will start to grow. Continue to fertilize your plant during the spring and summer seasons.
Provide it with the same care as an adult Monstera adansonii.
Propagating Monstera Adansonii in Water
To propagate Monstera adansonii, you will also have to take a ¼ inch cutting that has a few leaves present on it. Ensure one node is present on the cutting since roots will grow out from this node.
Remove some leaves from the bottom of the cutting and put the cutting in a glass of water. Make sure that the node is also underwater.
Place the cutting in an area where indirect sunlight is present. Make sure to change the water when it gets murky and refill it when it goes below the node.
You will eventually see little roots sprouting out in two to three weeks. But transferring the cutting into the soil will take a few more weeks.
Once the roots become three to four inches long, you can transfer the cutting into the soil. The soil should be well-draining, and the pot should have proper drainage holes.
How to Care for a Propagated Monstera Adansonii
Temperature
Newly propagated Monstera adansonii does well in the same temperature levels as a fully mature Monstera Adansonii. You should keep your propagated plant at 64 – 81 °F (18 to 27 °C).
Never keep your newly propagated Monstera adansonii below 64°F or 18°C. This will stop your plant’s growth and can even kill the plant.
Light
Ensure you provide your newly propagated Monstera Adansonii with bright, indirect sunlight. You can even use “grow lights” to create the perfect lighting for your plant.
Keep the plant away from direct sunlight until it is mature. A fully grown Monstera adansonii can withstand a few hours of direct sunlight, but newly propagated Monstera adansonii will not do well.
Humidity
Make sure to keep your adansonii in humidity levels that are above 60%. A humidity level of 90% is best for this plant, but this is hard to achieve indoors.
You can use a humidifier to help with this process. But if you cannot afford one, you can use a tray and fill it with water and pebbles.
Once the water evaporates, the surrounding humidity around your Monstera Adansonii will start to increase.
Fertilizer
If you have propagated your Monstera in water, then you must add fertilizer to it every time you change the water.
However, if you propagate it in soil, fertilizing it once every month during the spring and summer seasons will be enough.
Make sure you use an NPK ratio of 20-20-20. You can use it as a liquid fertilizer or even as a slow-releasing fertilizer.
Soil
Monstera adansonii needs well-draining soil, or else its roots can start to rot. You can create this well-draining soil using orchid bark, charcoal, peat moss, and perlite.
You also need to make sure that the pH level does not go above 7.0. The pH should remain between 5.5 and 7.0.
Pros and Cons of Growing Propagated Monstera Adansonii in Water
Pros
It is less messy if you grow your Monstera adansonii in water. Soil can easily get spilled everywhere, especially if you have pets and children.
If you live in a small house or apartment, then the mess that the soil creates is extremely noticeable.
Letting your propagated Monstera Adansonii grow in water also reduces the risk of pests invading your plant.
Damp soil is the biggest attraction for these pests, and most attack the roots, making the damage irreversible.
It is also easier to repot your Monstera adansonii when grown in water. You will have to gently remove the plant from the water.
Then take a larger container and fill it with water. Proceed to place your plant into the larger container, and keep changing the water every time it gets murky.
Cons
It is more of a hassle to grow your Monstera adansonii in water, especially since you need to change the water almost every day. This is a waste of a large amount of water.
The combination of organic matter and water will cause algae buildup on your plant’s roots and stems. This can also cause bacteria to form, leading to root rot.
The more the buildup, the fewer nutrients your plant will be able to absorb, which will end up killing your plant.
The growth rate is also extremely slow in water. This is because the soil has more oxygen, nutrients, and proper stability for your plant.
Since Monstera Adansonii is not a naturally growing water plant, it can not thrive in these conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take for my propagated Monstera adansonii to grow roots?
It can take up to four weeks for a Monstera adansonii to start growing new roots.
Can it take my Monstera adansonii longer than four weeks to grow roots?
Root formation can be delayed due to a lack of nutrients or because you did not take a proper cutting. Ensure at least one node is present on the cutting, or it will never develop into a viable plant. If the cutting has at least one leaf it will speed up the propagation process.
Conclusion About Propagating Monstera adansonii
The best way to propagate Monstera adansonii is by taking a stem cutting. Ensure you cut the stem with a clean pruning knife, shear, or scissors you have disinfected before. Ensure the cutting has at least one node and 1-3 leaves. Remove the bottom leaves of the cutting and put the cutting either into the water, Sphagnum moss, or soil. Wait 3-4 weeks until roots start to form. Replant the cutting once the roots are 2-3 inches long.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.