If you have a Monstera deliciosa or Swiss cheese plant in your collection, you know how beautiful it is. While Monstera plants grow beautifully in the great outdoors, they are also stunning as tropical houseplants. The large deep green leaves develop unique fenestrations, spreading wide and climbing up walls and door frames.

With that said, the plants are fast growers and tend to quickly take over their space. So, why not spread the love to friends and family or add a few more baby plants around your home? Fortunately, propagating your Monstera and growing new plants is incredibly easy! With the right tools and knowledge, you'll have everything you need to get started.

Tools You'll Need

Water propagation roots in clear jar. Monstera philodendron rooting in water on neutral background

Image credits: MilicaKnez via Shutterstock

Properly propagating your Monstera plant requires the right tools, so it is crucial you gather these essentials before you get started.

  • Pruning shears
  • Glass jar or vase
  • Clean water
  • Paper towel
  • Root hormone (optional)
  • Pot with drainage
  • High-quality, well-draining soil
  • Stake or trellis

Why Propagate?

Water propagation roots in clear jar. Monstera philodendron rooting in water on neutral background

Image credits: MilicaKnez via Shutterstock

There are several reasons you may want to propagate your plant, but all of them depend on personal preference. First and most likely, your monstera may outgrow the space. If it gets too big, chopping off a few leaves and stems is an easy way to make it smaller. On top of that, you'll get more plants for free! Then, you can share or sell them to others.

Propagation is also a good solution if your plant is dying. If the root system is completely rotten, propagation allows you to save the branches and leaves. Once they begin rooting, you can create a new plant.

Propagating Monstera Deliciosa 

While you can use ground-layering and air-layering techniques to propagate Monstera plants, propagating from cuttings is one of the simplest ways.

Step 1: Find the Aerial Root or Node

Closeup image of monstera's stem and nodes.

Image credits: Amverlly via Shutterstock

Before you make any cuts, you'll need to find the appropriate branches and leaves. Start by locating an aerial root; they are above-ground and light brown in color. The aerial roots support the plant, attaching to nearby structures such as moss poles. They also absorb extra moisture and nutrients from the atmosphere.

Choose a root close to both the base of the branch and plant. In general, cuttings taken from the base of the plant tend to root faster. The aerial root should also be at least 2 inches long. You can also select a stem with a node, the slightly swollen and rounded part of a stem where new leaves and stems grow.

Step 2: Make Your Cuts

Woman florist cuts monstera albo plant with garden scissors. Female hands and care for home plants for planting in a flower pot

Image credits: Zhuravlev Andrey via Shutterstock

It is best to take cuttings during the growing season (summer) as the plant can recover much more easily. This will also encourage new roots to develop on your cutting.

Cut 2 inches below the node or aerial root with a pair of sharp and clean pruning shears. Then, trim away any excess foliage. If there is more than one node or aerial root on the stem, you can make multiple cuttings, ensuring you leave about 2 inches of the stem around each root or node. Remember that there should be at least one leaf per cutting.

Step 3: Propagate

propagating Swiss Cheese Plant , Philodendron Monstera in water

Image credits: Lifesummerlin via Shutterstock

Once you have made the cuts, allow them to callus over by placing them on a paper towel in bright, indirect light for about a half hour. Then, dip the callused end in rooting hormone to encourage new growth. Place the cuttings in a clean water glass, ensuring you cover all the nodes and aerial roots. New growth will come from the aerial roots and nodes.

Remember to refill the water and change it weekly to avoid bacteria buildup. Carefully position the cuttings so they are upright. Remember to rotate the propagation weekly to ensure all leaves get enough sunlight. In about three weeks, roots should begin to form. The cuttings are ready for repotting in about a month. Keep the soil moist for a few months to allow the roots to acclimate.

If you prefer to plant the cuttings immediately, you can also place them in moist, well-draining soil in a pot with a drainage hole. Remember to apply rooting hormone to the callused end before planting. Use a stake, moss pole, or trellis to hold the cutting upright. Keep the soil moist to encourage root growth, and place the pot in bright, indirect light.

Be Leaf in Yourself!

Propagating Monstera plants from cuttings is simple and fun! Better yet it requires only a few standard indoor gardening tools. Remember to locate nodes and aerial roots, trim the plants, and place them in water or soil. Then, refill the water or keep the soil moist to encourage healthy root development. Eventually, you'll have a fully-fledged plant on your hands!

Do you have any tips for propagating Monstera Deliciosa plants? Share in the comments below!