Most Monstera growers have experimented with stem propagation in water, but have you ever considered leaving a Monstera deliciosa to grow in water for an extended period of time? What would happen if you kept your Monstera in water indefinitely? The majority of literature on water propagation presupposes that the plant would eventually be transferred to soil.
A Monstera deliciosa can it grow in water? A Monstera deliciosa can grow in water for quite some time, but unless it is finally transplanted to soil, it will never attain its full size or health. A Monstera submerged in water will endure, but it won’t flourish.
I think it is preferable for the plant to eventually be transferred to soil after examining the distinctions between growing plants in water and growing them in soil. Although I wouldn’t want to leave my single Monstera’s health in the hands of a wet environment, running an experiment with propagation and cuttings can be entertaining. There are a few tactics and ideas that can help you along the way if you want to try your hand at growing a Monstera in water.
How long can you submerge Monstera?
You should plan on giving your Monstera cutting around 6 weeks before planting it in soil so that roots can form.
In order to guarantee a strong root system has established for a better chance of survival, I often advise waiting at least 2-3 months.
However, as long as you change the water frequently, clean the roots, and transfer the cutting into a larger jar as it grows, a Monstera can survive in water for many months (if not years).
It is prepared to be put in soil when a lovely cluster of roots fills your container.
You can plant your Monstera cutting as long as it has five roots that are at least several inches long.
Keep the Roots Clean
Keep an eye on the roots as they grow every week, and don’t be hesitant to cut off any sections that seem unhealthy.
You can clip out roots that appear to be rotting as long as there are numerous healthy-looking roots (white, yellow, light green, and light brown).
These are typically distinguished from the others by being dark, mushy, or significantly more slimy.
Root Bound
Monstera will thrive with its roots submerged in water, but if the container is too small, it risked being root-bound. Move the plant to a bigger container or use a pair of sharp shears to trim off some of the longer aerial roots.
You can cut the stem and roots together to grow another monstera plant if the stem, which has one or more leaves, is attached to a piece of the aerial roots. Put the plant’s roots and stem piece that was cut off into a different container of water, and watch as it develops into a lovely houseplant!
Aerial Roots
In water, aerial roots will produce conventional roots as offshoots, enhancing the plant’s capacity to absorb nutrients and water. It’s typical for some of the aerial roots’ thick, brown outer covering to peel off and float in the water. Simply take them out when you change the water.
Monstera rots in water, right?
We are aware that excessive moisture causes anaerobic soil, which root rot adores. Unfortunately, there are numerous methods for an infection to spread and get established.
Overwatering
The primary offender and most frequent cause of root rot in Monsteras is overwatering.
Numerous factors, all of which result in more water building up in the soil than your Monstera can consume, can all lead to overwatering.
Not waterlogged or damp to the touch, your Monstera’s soil should be moist like a wrung-out sponge.
Several reasons why people overwater:
- excessive watering
- The pot’s drainage is insufficient.
- soil with too much organic materials or clay
- Too large a pot
How long can plant propagation survive in water?
We all forget to water our plants occasionally, let’s face it. And for those of us who frequently travel, returning to shriveled or overwatered greenery as a result of misunderstandings with the plant sitter is not uncommon. Yikes.
The answer is right here! Get rid of the soil and grow your plants exclusively in water. What’s not to love about less maintenance and a lovely centerpiece with the appropriate vase?
Although anthurium houseplants are typically cultivated on soil, they may thrive in water as well.
You’re undoubtedly already aware that you can take a plant cutting and re-grow it by putting it in water. This process of growing new plants is known as water propagation, and it is fairly common. The majority of indoor gardeners then transplant the cutting to soil once it has developed its own root system. You don’t have to, though!
When cultivated hydroponically, plants can consume up to 90% less water than when grown in soil-filled pots.
If you give houseplants what they need to keep growing, they may frequently thrive in water for an extended period of time. This method of growing plants is known as hydroponics, and it’s excellent since it creates a completely new way to display your indoor plants. Who doesn’t enjoy fresh foliage in a lovely vase or bottle?
It’s fascinating to be able to take a rare look beneath the surface of the soil and watch the root system form and expand in a glass container. Additionally, as was said in the introduction, hydroponic gardening is the ideal option for individuals who struggle to maintain a regular routine for watering houseplants.
So how do you go about hydroponically growing your own houseplant? Luckily, it’s not too difficult.
My Swiss cheese plant can I grow in water?
Before choosing whether to grow your Monstera in water or soil, there are a number of crucial factors to take into account. The benefits and drawbacks of these various tactics, as well as what they can entail for the health of your plant, are listed below.
Pro: Less Mess
Plants can be dirty, as most plant owners would attest. If you have small children or dogs, soil can easily be spilt or moved.
The dirt that plants produce can be a problem for plant enthusiasts who wish to keep a tidy home because it can be particularly evident in small flats and carpeted areas.
However, growing your plant in water does away with the need for potting soil entirely, offering a cleaner, more contemporary option to indoor dirt pots.
Con: More Hassle
You might be misled if you believe that growing your Monstera adansonii in water will simplify your plant-care routine. The majority of mature plants may stay in their pots for at least a year, especially with regular fertilizer, even though growing plants in soil can make a mess.
However, open water can attract bacteria and dust, quickly becoming stagnant. Murky water is not only highly bad for your plants, but it is also bad to have in your house. If you decide to cultivate your Swiss cheese plant in water, you must frequently change the water, wash the container, and carefully wash the plant’s roots to avoid root rot and bacterial growth.
Pro: Fewer Bugs
In particular if your plant is close to a door or window, dirt does draw insects. The plant’s leaves or the moist soil may draw ants, gnats, and other creepy crawlies.
Bugs may be more likely to establish a home in the planter if leaves or other organic stuff begins to accumulate there. Growing your Swiss cheese plant in water can lessen the chance that it will draw insects. However, you might notice gnats around the plant if the water turns murky or if some leaves fall into it and rot. As a result, the reduction in insects only applies to plants that have good plant hygiene.
Con: Algae
Algae will start to grow if the water in the vase or container holding your plant starts to become stagnant. Living things like algae can come in a variety of colors and resemble fungus in certain ways. It is also occasionally referred to as “pond slime.”
While not all types of algae are poisonous, murky, slimy, or odorous water is dangerous for both people and animals. This water needs to be changed immediately because it includes decomposing plants. Algae can grow in the unaltered water of any plant, even if your home is immaculate, because plants growing in water are constantly losing cells.
Pro: Easier Repotting
A plant that is growing in soil may require extensive repotting. To properly replant your Monstera adansonii, you must carefully take the plant from its original planter, examine the roots for rot, fill a new container with fresh potting soil, discard the old dirt, and clean the area. A mature Swiss cheese plant can grow to be 10 feet tall, so this might easily become a two-person job.
A plant that is flourishing in water will eventually fill its container as well, however plants growing in water normally do not grow as big. In addition, you would avoid uprooting and reburying the plant by simply moving it to a larger container of pure water.
Con: Slimy Roots
As was already established, when organic materials and water are combined, algae and bacterial growth result. The resulting “slime” can also be discovered on the stem and roots of your plant, as well as on the water’s surface.
This is bad because the buildup can damage your plant’s roots and hinder its ability to absorb nutrients. Because your Monstera adansonii’s roots serve as the plant’s digestive system, they might become sick, which can affect the entire plant.
However, you may assist avoid the accumulation that can make your plant ill by thoroughly washing its roots under new water each time you replace the water in its container.
Pro: You Can Watch the Growth
You can observe the plant’s roots growing, which is an interesting part of growing your plant in water. This can be a fun approach to check on the health of your plant because it is uncommon to be able to observe the growth of new roots, particularly if you are propagating a Monstera adansonii.
Keeping an eye on your plant’s development may be a fun family activity that teaches kids about how plants grow and inspires them to take care of their own personal plant collection.
Con: Growth is Slower
Few non-aquatic plants actually grow more quickly in water than in soil. This is due to the fact that soil has the ideal balance of nutrients, oxygen, and stability for a plant to grow to its full height. A plant may absorb even more nutrients and energy as it becomes higher and generates more robust leaves, which promotes quicker, more thorough growth.
It is doubtful that your Monstera adansonii will grow several feet each year, as it might in potting soil, because water offers less diverse nutrient content, risk of root rot, and lower structural support. But with a little attention and care, your Swiss cheese plant may flourish in water and still add beauty and health to your indoor garden.
Which plants can survive in the water?
The following are a few examples of appropriate plants for water “planting: English ivy, dumbcane (Dieffenbachia), and Chinese evergreen.
Monstera Leaves Yellowing After Repotting
Although it happens occasionally, after repotting your monstera you should be on the lookout for this. Since drooping is a much more frequent result of shock than yellowing, the problem is frequently with the drainage, soil, or your watering regimen after repotting.
Make sure the dirt in your pot drains properly and isn’t retaining too much water. Even though the drainage system or soil composition may have changed when we repot, we occasionally restart our regular watering schedule. This can result in overwatering!
In contrast, if your newly planted monstera is unintentionally submerged after repotting because your new pot and soil drain more quickly than the previous ones did!
Use a moisture meter to monitor the moisture content of your soil so you can water your plants accordingly. A meter is the ideal tool for determining what’s happening deeper inside the pot and in the root ball, but you may also poke your finger in the soil to determine whether your plant is ready for water.
Incorrect pH levels in your new soil might also cause your leaves to turn yellow. Monsteras thrive in soil with a pH of 5.5-7, which is somewhat alkaline. (To determine whether the pH of your soil is wrong, we advise utilizing a pH meter. The humidity meter we described earlier also measures pH!) You’ll be better off repotting your plant into a more suitable soil if the pH is off.
Keep in mind that any abrupt change to a monstera’s surroundings, such as moving to a new location or house, repotting, or altering its lighting or care regimen, might shock the plant. However, something in the soil is almost always the cause of yellowing leaves. First, check there!
Overwatering Monstera
When a monstera receives too much water, the lower leaves first begin to yellow and, if the problem is not resolved quickly enough, may even develop brown or black blotches.
Examine the soil’s moisture content to establish whether overwatering is the cause of your problem. You may have overwatered your plant if it feels damp or even soggy just below the surface (or on the surface), or if a moisture meter reads 5 or higher more than a week after you watered.
If such is the case, you might need to repot your plant before root rot takes hold in order to prevent it. You could try letting the soil dry out for a few days (and then water with a lighter hand next time).
After addressing an overwatering issue, it can be tempting to start watering your monstera less, but be cautious! The issue is frequently not that you’re giving your plant too much water, but rather that the pot and soil are not draining properly, that you’re watering your plant too frequently and not giving the soil a chance to dry out between waterings, or that your plant isn’t receiving enough light and can’t utilize water effectively as a result. Instead of merely giving your monstera less water, consider these other considerations.
Notably, watering the soil from the bottom rather than the top is another technique to avoid overwatering, particularly if you have a propensity of doing so. Here’s how to use monstera plants to accomplish this.
In the future, always examine the soil of your monstera before watering to be sure it genuinely needs a drink. When a moisture meter reads 3–4 or when the top 2–3 inches of the soil feel dry to the touch, water. You might need to repot your monstera into a pot and potting mix that drain better if it takes longer than two weeks for the soil to dry out.