Most of us picture Monsteras’ big, gorgeous leaves when we think of them. The odd aerial roots that emerge from the stem of this plant, however, are something we don’t frequently picture. Despite the fact that they are entirely natural and have no negative effects on your plant, you may still be confused by the strange roots on your Monstera deliciosa. Why do aerial roots exist? Do you need to do anything with them? Can you cut them back?
Roots that grow above ground are known as aerial roots. By adhering to surrounding structures, they frequently offer support for tropical trees and vine-growing plants (such Monsteras). The aerial roots of a Monstera deliciosa should not be used for anything. They can be cut back, though, if you don’t like the way they look.
If you have a lot of different houseplants, you could assume that Monsteras is the only plant with these peculiar roots. However, there are several instances of similar plant growth in nature. What function do they fulfill? What distinguishes aerial roots from those that grow underground? What should you do in response to them? Continue reading for solutions to these questions and more.
How are aerial roots on Monstera used?
A gentle, damp cloth or a fast shower with lukewarm water can be used to clean your monstera’s leaves, especially the oldest ones on the plant, to eliminate any dust accumulation.
Only two fertilizer applications will be required for your monstera throughout the entire year: one in early spring and one in late summer.
Your monstera plant will eventually develop aerial roots from its stem. These aerial roots are there to support the plant; do not cut them off. If any aerial roots are too short to support a climbing plant, train them back into the soil to absorb more nutrients when they are long enough.
How do I handle the aerial roots on my Monstera when I repot it?
The aerial roots of your Monstera can be used for a few different reasons as they grow. Although they won’t harm your plant and are actually a sign that your Monstera is growing very well, they can become sloppy, lengthy, and stringy, which may not be to your taste.
You might think about pruning back your Monstera’s aerial roots if they start to develop wild-appearing roots that are growing out of the pot and onto the ground. The plant won’t suffer if the aerial roots are cut close to where they connect to the stem. Be prepared for them to regrow, though.
As climbers, monsteras will always look for ways to support themselves. If the aerial roots disturb you, you might want to look at other plants that can survive without supports, such pothos, which can trail or climb a support.
Giving your Monstera something to cling onto is an excellent alternative if you don’t mind the aerial roots but want to encourage it. The most suggested option is a moss totem or pole, a support coated with coco coir or sphagnum moss where the Monstera can cling and eventually grow up. These can be made or bought.
Once everything is in place, all that needs to be done to assist the plant’s aerial roots to adhere is to identify the thickest, most mature stems and gently tie them to the pole. To keep the pole moist, you’ll need to spray it from time to time. This will replicate the search the Monstera would make while climbing a tree in the wild.
Additionally, some Monstera owners weave the strongest aerial roots through the brand-new moss pole. It is possible to do this, but it is not necessary and most likely won’t have a significant impact on how quickly your Monstera adapts to its new support system.
You might also just disregard the aerial roots. They are a sign that your Monstera is most likely ready to begin climbing, and your plant won’t suffer if you let it. Many people who possess Monsteras simply tuck stray aerial roots around the plant to prevent it from appearing too wild. In the end, how you grow your Monstera will depend on your personal preferences and long-term objectives.
Should I trim the aerial roots of my monsteras?
Your Monstera naturally has aerial roots. No need to chop them off, please. As long as you use a clean, sharp blade and cut them back if they are blocking the path, it is acceptable.
The main plant of your Monstera won’t suffer if the aerial roots are cut off. These roots are designed to ascend, not to absorb nourishment.
For additional information on what to do with the aerial roots of your Monstera, keep reading!
Can you plant aerial roots of Monstera in the ground?
Monstera deliciosa is a climber plant by nature, just like many other Aroids (members of the Araceae family). In order to ascend to the upper and better-lit sections of the forest, it requires taller trees and other supports.
In their native habitat of tropical woods in Central America, wild Monstera deliciosa individuals have aerial roots that can reach a height of over 30 meters (100 ft.). These can extend all the way from the plant’s tallest points to the ground. But what do these worm-like, woody, brown or green appendages that emerge from the stem serve for?
Although they don’t usually, monstera aerial roots frequently emerge from the nodes of the plant in a manner similar to leaves or regular roots. They may be as big as one centimeter (0.4 in thickness.) On Monstera, aerial roots serve two primary purposes:
- supplying water and nutrients. The airborne roots that touch the forest floor and hang down underground transform into regular roots. Aerial-subterranean roots are these (Hinchee, 1981). They take in water and nutrients, carrying them all the way to the top of the plant where they are disseminated throughout the entire plant.
- Anchoring. It is evident that a plant would simply fall off the tree or rock it is growing on if there was no method to hold it as it reaches for the sky. In order to keep the Monstera in place without becoming parasitic, aerial roots assist in grasping onto the surface.
The Monstera deliciosa is not the only indoor plant that develops aerial roots; aerial roots are actually quite prevalent among plants. Other aroids do this as well. If ignored or tilted too much to one side, succulents may also develop aerial roots, but they are not intended for climbing. The magnificent Banyan tree is a further wonderful illustration (Ficus benghalensis).
Did you realize? After they enter the earth, aerial-subterranean roots can branch out much like regular roots. However, it is less frequent and mostly occurs when their growth tip has been harmed.
Aerial roots vs. soil roots
As was already mentioned, there are certain functional similarities between the aerial roots and soil roots of Monstera. In fact, some aerial roots actually touch the earth and serve the same purpose as deep roots.
Are you aware? A mature Monstera deliciosa in the wild may end up relying only on its aerial roots. It could become disconnected from the soil roots and the location where it first appeared. It is now classified as a hemiepiphyte, which is a type of plant that grows on rocks or other plants without using parasites for part of its life cycle.
What do aerial roots look like?
It’s not hard to spot an aerial root on a Monstera deliciosa houseplant. It may begin green, but unlike typical roots, it gradually develops a coating of brown, woody material.
Monstera aerial roots can become quite thick in the wild, although they usually remain thin indoors. As your plant searches for support, they can become rather long and protrude in all directions.
Attaching your Monstera deliciosa to a moss pole could be helpful if many aerial roots are developing (also called a plant totem). This will provide a surface for the roots to cling to. Since they are climbing plants, they will develop more effectively in this manner. Additionally, it lessens the possibility of branches breaking in the future!
Can I remove aerial roots?
You can, indeed. Your Monstera Deliciosa won’t suffer any harm if the aerial roots are cut, and they will quickly regrow. Although some individuals may find it an eyesore, you can also leave them alone. These air roots have a tendency to grow out of control and resemble wild cables. When cutting the air roots, take care not to harm the Monstera root node. However, remain composed and cut them off.
How is Monstera the aerial root trained?
You must fasten the Monstera to the moss pole once it is in the pot with the plant!
This will be a little simpler if your plant is still a young one. Tie the Monstera’s stem to the pole without pulling or bending excessively, making sure the nodes touch the wet moss. As a result, the aerial roots will be encouraged to encircle and grow into the moss pole.
This technique might need to be repeated whenever there is fresh growth. You can cut or loosen the ties once the aerial roots of the Monstera are securely fastened to the moss pole.
Your Monstera might not want to bend as much to attach to the moss pole if it is already pretty mature. This will require that you go extremely gently. Once the stem is up against the moss pole, tighten the ties every week to continue dragging it in that direction.
If the aerial roots of the Monstera are particularly lengthy, it can be beneficial for you to prune portions of them back. It will be more difficult to train them onto a support the longer they are. The aerial roots will generate more roots if you cut them close to the node; these roots will then develop into the moss pole.
Mist the Moss regularly.
The moss pole will draw the air roots of Monstera naturally, but only if it is moist. Regular misting of your moss pole will help your Monstera absorb extra moisture for its large, attractive leaves.
Use VELCRO garden tie.
VELCRO garden ties are a fantastic solution for securing your Monstera to the moss pole. There is no need to be concerned about tying a knot that will be strong enough because these plant ties attach to themselves. They are simple to put on and take off, and they won’t harm your Monstera’s stem.
The stems can also be attached to the moss pole using cable tie (zip tie). At least until the support begins to get hugged by the aerial roots. I performed this procedure on my Monstera Adansonii.
Can roots form on aerial roots?
An excellent example of roots you can plant is the aerial roots on houseplants. One of the most well-known examples of this can be seen on spider plants. Spider plants are frequently cultivated in hanging baskets, where they produce plantlets that dangle from peculiar, wiry stems that extend from the plant. There are numerous aerial roots on each plantlet. By cutting off the plantlets and placing them with their roots buried in the soil, you can propagate the plant.
Windowleaf plants are indoor plants that utilize aerial roots in a special way. Windowleaf vines climb trees in their natural environment, reaching high into the canopy of the rainforest. Aerial roots are produced, which spread outward until they touch the ground. The strong stems are held in place by the stiff roots, which serve as guy wires. These plants can be multiplied by cutting off a piece of stem just below an aerial root and planting it in a pot.
Some aerial root plants cannot be planted in soil. Epiphytes are plants that use the structural support of other plants to grow on them. The purpose of their aerial roots is to remain above ground, where they can collect nutrients from the air, surface water, and debris. An illustration of this kind of plant would be epiphytic orchids. When to water your epiphytic orchids depends on the color of the aerial roots. Aerial roots with little moisture are silvery gray in appearance, whereas those with lots of moisture have a green tint.
Do I need to bury aerial roots?
Because they take in moisture and carbon dioxide, aerial roots on orchids are essential to the plant’s ability to develop healthy roots, leaves, and flowers. Even if the roots appear to be dead, this is true. The best course of action is to ignore the air roots.
Extensive aerial roots may indicate that your orchid is overgrown and requires a larger pot. Lower aerial roots can now be buried in the new container. Avoid forcing the roots since they can break if you do.
Do aerial roots take up moisture?
Water and nutrients may be taken up by aerial roots from the atmosphere. Aerial roots come in a variety of forms, some of which, like those found in mangroves, are employed for aeration rather than water absorption. In other instances, they are primarily employed for structure and to get to the surface. The leaf system is used by many plants to collect water into pockets or onto scales. These roots perform the same functions as roots on land.
The’velamen’, the white spongy envelope around the aerial roots, is really completely water proof, preventing water loss but preventing any water from entering, according to some startling findings in studies on the aerial roots of orchids. The velamen is not generated after the root reaches and touches a surface, allowing it to absorb water like terrestrial roots.
Many other epiphytes, or plants that live on the surfaces of other plants without becoming parasitic, have evolved cups and scales that collect dew or precipitation. In this instance, the aerial roots function as typical surface roots. There are several kinds of roots as well, which combine to form a cushion that retains a high level of dampness.
Some aerial roots, particularly those of the genus Tillandsia, have a physiology that allows them to directly absorb water from humidity.
The Sierra Mixe type of maize (named after the region; locally known as “olotn” in Totontepec)[3 produces a pleasant mucus in the aerial roots that supports bacteria that fix nitrogen, providing 3080 percent of the plant’s nitrogen requirements.
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