The iconic Monstera deliciosa is a longtime favourite of houseplant enthusiasts, with its beautiful fenestrated leaves and easy going temperament. What’s more, it also happens to be one of the simplest species to propagate at home. In this post, I’m showing you how to multiply your Monstera using the water method.
A Monstera was the first plant I ever propagated and believe me when I say I was no plant expert at the time. I was pretty sure I’d fail and end up with a dead plant, but with a little planning and research it ended in success. If I could do it then, you can do it now. You got this! 💪
When & why to propagate
It’s best to propagate over the spring and summer, as A) your mother plant is in its active growing season and B) the conditions during this season are more favourable for propagation. But if you want to propagate Monstera deliciosa outside of this season, you should go for it. I’ve had success doing it over winter - just expect slower results 😊
Monstera deliciosa is a semi-epiphyte, meaning ‘in the wild’ it grows on other plants, such as up the sides of trees. It can therefore become unruly and sprawling as it grows at home, unless you provide it with something to climb on like a moss pole or trellis. Propagating is therefore a great way to both prune back your ‘mother plant’ and grow your green gang at the same time; it’s a win-win!
What you’ll need
An adult Monstera deliciosa OR a Monstera deliciosa cutting
A pair of sharp, sterile pruners, shears or scissors - or a knife
A vessel to water propagate your cutting in
A nursery plant pot for potting up (10-14cm). Make sure it has drainage holes!
A high-quality potting mix (I recommend Soil Ninja)
Propagating Monstera deliciosa, step by step:
1. Take a cutting ✂️
A viable cutting will require a leaf and a node. A node is found where the leaf joins the stem, and will usually have an aerial root growing out of it. You will want to cut a couple of inches either side of the node. For this propagation, I took three cuttings from a single stem. It’s not necessary to cut the aerial root off, but you can if you prefer.
2. Place your cutting in a vessel
The vessel can be anything from a glass to a vase, so long as the node is covered by water and the leaf is not. Pop your propagation(s) in a warm spot where it will receive medium or bright, indirect light. Keep it out of direct sun as it may scorch!
3. Check back every few days ⏱️
Set a reminder in your phone to check back on your propagation every few days so you can monitor progress. Every time you do this, change out the water so that it remains oxygenated and fresh. Once the new roots are between 4-6 inches long, it’s ready to pot up. You can wait longer if you enjoy watching the roots grow, but it’s not necessary.
4. Pot up your cutting
Choose a pot with drainage holes, around 10-14cm wide for a single cutting or slightly larger if you’re planting multiple cuttings in one pot. Use a well-draining soil mix containing perlite, pumice and/or orchid bark. This will help the soil dry out and lower the risk of root rot :)
You can also use propagations to create a bushier mother plant. Simply plant the babies back into the same pot and as they grow they will help create a fuller look.
My blog on repotting will help you here if you’ve never potted a plant 👉 How to Repot a Houseplant.
5. Take care of it
Place your potted cutting in a bright, warm spot away from direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist for the first few weeks before cutting back on water and letting it dry out between drinks. Be patient and in time you will see new leaf growth 🤞
I have never failed using this method. If you want, you can even cut out the water propagation part by planting your fresh cutting straight into soil - but I personally find watching the roots grow in water mind-boggling!
Things to consider
The leaf sheath on the cutting can turn black and squishy when it sits in water. You can simply trim/pull this off beforehand to avoid this
New leaves that emerge from your cutting will likely have no fenestrations (the slits in the leaves that make them so iconic!). This isn’t anything to worry about as this is something that will appear on leaves as they get larger and the plant matures. Phew! 😅
To create a bushier plant, you can pot multiple cuttings up together i.e. give them a friend for company!
Let me know how you get on! I love to see photos of your propagations. I am also happy to help if you get stuck - shoot me a message and I’ll get back to you ASAP ❤️
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