Will Monstera Grow Back After Cutting

What do you do now that you have a clipping from your Monstera plant? Will the plant ever produce those lovely, large leaves again, or will it perish forever?

Well, don’t worry; the Monstera has magical abilities and will regenerate all of its lost stems and leaves (at least if you take good care of it)!

The Monstera will regenerate a new growing point from the closest node where the cut was made after being made. The portion of the plant that you removed will have fully recovered within a few months.

Light, water, soil, humidity, and fertilization are just a few examples of the variables that affect how quickly a plant will develop.

What happens if a Monstera leaf is chopped off?

Your Monstera should have any damaged leaves removed. Trimming dead leaves helps your plant’s health in addition to improving its appearance.

  • Unable to photosynthesize are dead leaves. Any brown or black areas on your Monstera’s leaves are no longer able to supply the plant with energy.
  • Dead leaf sections have no protection against rot and infection in comparison to healthy leaves. Dead plant cells provide nutrients that are consumed by bacteria and fungi. For instance, you can notice mold growing on dead leaves that have been left on the plant or in the soil. To help defend the remainder of the plant against these diseases, remove any dark or damaged tissue.

It is possible that only the ripped edge of a leaf will become brown to seal a cut if there is only very minimal damage, such as accidently ripping or torn a portion of the leaf. Leave minor imperfections alone if they don’t affect other parts of the plant or interfere with your pleasure of the plant’s aesthetics.

Monstera damage to the roots and stems can be more serious than damage to the leaves because it prevents the plant from transporting water and nutrients. Visit our soon-to-be-available guides on stem damage and root rot.

How can I get new Monstera leaves to grow?

Stem cuttings are the preferred method of monstera propagation. Cuttings from Swiss cheese plants are simple to root. When using cuttings, you can either root them in water first or just bury them in the ground. Cuttings should be made immediately following a leaf node, with the bottom-most leaves removed.

Then, either partially bury the swiss cheese plant cuttings in the soil itself or root them in water for a few weeks before transplanting to a pot. There is no requirement for rooting hormone because they root so readily.

Is my Monstera going to reappear?

  • When the top inch of soil seems a little bit dry to the touch, water monstera. Depending on the climate and conditions, the exact frequency can vary, but generally speaking, watering monstera once every seven days with a deep soak maintains the ideal moisture balance. If you’re unsure, feel the soil with your finger to check for moisture. Water the monstera thoroughly as soon as the top inch of soil feels a little dry.
  • Always water deeply enough for any extra moisture to flow out of the drainage holes in the pot’s base. As a result, the soil is guaranteed to be evenly moist and the water will have reached the roots where it is needed. If you water monstera too lightly, it may experience drought stress, which causes the leaves to become yellow. Monstera leaves that have become yellow from dry soil typically recover rather fast following a watering cycle.
  • Regularly empty the trays and saucers under the pots. Avoid letting water gather under your monstera for an extended period of time as this might lead to root rot.
  • In pots with drainage holes in the base, always plant monstera. Water must be allowed to readily drain from the pot’s base since monstera plants need proper drainage.
  • If the dirt feels too heavy or compacted and you can’t stick your finger into it, repot the monstera. Because there is not enough oxygen for root respiration when the soil is compacted, the leaves will become yellow. The optimum soil for monstera growth is one that is easily aerated so that oxygen can reach the roots and water can drain efficiently. In order to more closely resemble the permeable soil of the monstera plants native environment, repot the monstera in potting soil or compost and add around 1/3 succulent and cactus soil or orchid potting media.
  • Place your Monstera in a spot with strong, filtered light. The pierced leaves of the monstera vine, which grows like a vine in the canopy of tropical forests in Central America, spread out widely to absorb as much light as possible. The leaves can become scorched by direct sunshine, and too much shade turns the foliage yellow (in rooms with north facing windows for example). A room with good lighting and perhaps an east or west facing window is ideal for monstera growth.
  • When it’s growing, fertilize your monstera once every month. As a result of their big leaves, monstera plants are relatively nutrient hungrier than other plants. The roots of the monstera may deplete the soil of nutrients if it has been in the same container for a long period. Additionally, the starting potting soil may not have been extremely nutrient dense. Use an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer at half strength once a month from Spring through Mid-Summer (do not fertilize in the Fall or Winter) if your monstera has yellowing leaves with weak development and is not suffering from overwatering or underwatering. This should revive the yellow foliage.

If your monstera has turned yellow due to a lack of water, it should quickly recover following a thorough soak and a regular watering plan, usually once every seven days.

However, if your monstera is overwatered and the leaves keep turning yellow and beginning to droop and seem dead, it may be very difficult to preserve the plant.

Roots that have root rot appear squishy, rotting, and smell unpleasant, whereas healthy roots should feel hard.

You can take immediate action in this situation by removing the monstera from the container, emptying the dirt, and using a clean pair of pruners to trim back any diseased roots and encourage healthy development (wipe the pruners with a cloth soaked with disinfectant after every cut to prevent spreading any pathogens to otherwise healthy root).

However, this causes a lot of harm to a plant that is already unwell. Take a cutting of a monstera leaf for propagation, which is what I would advise you to do first.

The easiest approach to save a monstera plant is to propagate it if there are some healthy-looking leaves and stems still present.

Watch this instructive YouTube video to learn how to grow monstera quickly:

Do I need to trim my monstera?

The Monstera deliciosa is a stunning climber that is a native of the jungles of Central and South America. It is aggressive and quick to develop. You might be unsure of how, if, or when to prune your Monstera due to how quickly they can grow to be large.

Monsteras require routine pruning. Pruning promotes growth and makes the plant healthier overall. You may regularly replenish your supply of new Monsteras by correctly taking cuttings from the plant and then propagating them. Prior to the Monstera’s growing season beginning in the early spring, pruning should be done.

If you’re not very experienced with houseplants, the prospect of chopping into your prized Monstera might give you the chills. But don’t worry; trimming is easy and beneficial to plants. Continue reading to learn how to prune your Monstera’s various components, why you should, and how to propagate cuttings.

Do I need to remove the damaged leaves?

A houseplant’s appearance can also be ruined by dead or poorly formed leaves. Both damaged leaves and missing plant branches can be removed. You can use sharp scissors to trim overly ambitious stems back to just above a leaf point when they start to spoil the plant’s form. Simply remove the dead leaves; do not leave any little snags that will die back. It is advisable to trim the stem back to its base with sharp scissors in order to eliminate any dead leaves that are at the top of the shoot.

The dead blooms on houseplants can be removed individually and thrown on a compost pile. Azaleas bloom profusely over several weeks. Pick off the initial ones as they pass away to make room for the next ones to emerge. It is known as deadheading. You may remove each dead blossom from a cyclamen by pulling it off with the stalk. It will just snap off at the desired location if you give it a little tug. The stem would steadily deteriorate if you merely removed the blossom, which would stimulate the deterioration of other blooms and stems as well. Moreover, it just looks horrible. Don’t leave the blooms and stems at the plant’s base; instead, add them to the compost pile.

Does trimming the leaves of Monstera encourage growth?

Pruning is a crucial component of any plant care regimen. Pruning gets rid of leaves that no longer help the plant but are still consuming its resources. As a result, the healthy leaves and new growth can be supported with more energy! You may manage a plant’s size and shape via pruning. Therefore, remember to prune your monstera!

Additionally, pruning can help your plant grow and allow you to manage where it produces new leaves (and in the case of some plants, branches).

Because your monstera occasionally needs a little additional assistance getting rid of dead or dying leaves, pruning is especially crucial.

However, pruning is primarily a useful method for managing a monstera’s size. This plant grows really big! If you live in an apartment with 8-foot ceilings, this is crucial because monsteras can grow up to 30 feet outdoors and 10 feet indoors.

Can a Monstera stem be cut?

Your objectives will determine how to prune a Monstera plant indoors to promote growth. A different approach is taken when pruning a few dead leaves vs attempting to regulate an overgrown plant. Similarly, pruning your Monstera plant with the intention of propagation requires a little more care.

Removing yellow or dying leaves

Older leaves naturally turn yellow and die as your Monstera plant develops and is more mature. This is very typical, and a few yellowing leaves are nothing to be concerned about (although if more than a few Monstera leaves are turning yellow, that may be cause for further investigation). However, it’s crucial to frequently cut off old and discolored leaves from your Monstera plant if you want to maintain it happy and healthy.

When pruning indoor Monstera, use sterilized clippers or a sharp knife to cut the leaves at the main stem. Make a clean cut to separate the leaf stem from the plant by following it back to the main branch. The leaves cannot be rooted as a new plant, so dispose of them in the trash or compost bin.

Controlling or shaping an overgrown Monstera plant

If left alone, monsteras can grow quickly and get out of control. If allowed to expand wildly, aggressive lateral vines may turn disruptive and ugly. You can clip stray tendrils and point new growth in the direction you desire to keep your overgrown Monstera Deliciosa plant in good shape.

Before beginning to prune your Monstera, note the problematic vines. Return to the main stem by following the vine. Cut the plant cleanly just above the main stem. Avert injuring or cutting the stem.

If you want to root or propagate your Monstera plant, you can utilize these cuttings, but you must trim them once more 1/2 inch below a node.

Root pruning

Giant Monstera plants can be kept in check and their development slowed down by using a process called root trimming. Even while it could seem a little intimidating, it is simple to execute and, when done correctly, will enhance the health of your plant.

Examine the roots by taking your Monstera plant out of the pot. There will be a single main root, and smaller lateral roots will branch out of it. The main root should remain intact while the lateral roots are reduced by one-third.

If the roots are tightly coiled, carefully peel them apart. Limit the length of the lateral root cuts to no more than one-third of its length. Trimming off any damaged or discolored roots at this time is also a good idea.

Pruning to propagate Monstera

Stem cuttings of monsteras can be used to create new plants by being inserted into moist potting soil or a vase of water. However, for the cuttings to root, at least one node is required. Therefore, when taking node cuttings, you must be cautious.

Choose a vine’s tip that has at least one or two strong Monstera leaves attached. Returning to the stem, find a leaf node. It is at the node that all new growth starts. It could form a ring around the stem and appear thicker.

Use a sharp cutting tool to make a precise cut 1/2 inch below the node. Cutting with a dull blade should be avoided since it might harm tissue and bruise the stem.

Pick your timing

The optimum time to divide or propagate your monstera is in the early spring because that is when it grows. They’ll have a better chance of overcoming root stress and resuming growth.

Water before you split

Before splitting the root ball, it should be well-hydrated. Give the roots a good soak a week before you carry out the deed so that water begins to flow out of the bottom of the pot. (Your pot has effective drainage, correct?)

Make the split

Carefully tip the pot on its side and slip the plant out when you’re ready to split your monstera. To avoid breaking anything, you might need assistance holding the plant or pot.

Use a garden shovel to gently encourage the plant out if it won’t come up on its own. Do not pull the plant out of the pot under any circumstances! There is no way you want to break any stems or leaves since they won’t grow back.

Once the monstera has been removed from the pot, divide the root ball into two or more plants using a sharp, clean knife. To ensure that each new plant has lots of roots and stems, look for natural sections and divisions in the existing plant.

This is something you kind of have to eyeball and look for any locations where the plant has already divided up. This will guarantee that the plant will rapidly begin growing after the split has healed.

Plant the new monsteras

It’s time to move the individual plants into their new pots after you’ve divided your monstera into two or more plants.

Perhaps you need containers that are smaller than the one the large plant was in. Select containers with sufficient drainage that are 2-4 inches wider than the new plants’ roots. Plant in a soil with peat, such as our specialty monstera soil, that drains well.

When the plants are in their new pots, give them some water, and position them somewhere with bright, indirect light.

To promote recuperation and new development, you can begin fertilizing the plants around a month after you separate them!