Monstera Care – Best Placement, Aerial Roots & Propagation

Watering, location, aerial roots & propagation

MoBlumen Editorial Team · 7 min read · Houseplant

The Monstera is the ultimate Instagram plant. But behind those photogenic leaves is a jungle plant with rules of its own.

The Monstera deliciosa — known in German as Fensterblatt — has experienced an unprecedented hype in recent years. Its leaf pattern appears on cushions, wallpaper, phone cases, and T-shirts. But the real plant is more than a design object. In its native tropical rainforests of Central America, it climbs trees to heights of up to 20 meters and produces leaves that can grow over a meter wide.

It won’t grow quite that large in a Vienna apartment — but with the right care, a Monstera can still reach impressive dimensions here too. The most important basics of Monstera care — including aerial roots — are coming up now.

Why does the Monstera have holes?

The distinctive holes and slits in its leaves — botanically known as “fenestration” — are no accident of design. There are several theories as to why the Monstera does this. The most likely one: the holes allow light and rain to reach the lower leaves. In the dense rainforest, where the Monstera starts out on the forest floor and climbs upward, every ray of light is precious.

Young Monstera plants do not have holes yet — their leaves are heart-shaped and solid. Only once the plant reaches a certain size and gets enough light will it begin to develop fenestrated leaves. If a Monstera does not get holes, it is in a spot that is too dark.

Watering Monstera

When watering Monstera, the rule is: the top layer of soil (2–3 cm) should dry out slightly between waterings. In summer, about once a week; in winter, every ten to fourteen days. Water thoroughly, then pour away any excess water from the saucer.

Monstera loves high humidity — in heated homes during winter, mist it regularly or use a humidifier. Brown leaf edges are often a sign that the air is too dry.

Monstera location

The ideal Monstera location is bright, but without direct midday sun. An east- or west-facing window is perfect. Direct sun burns the leaves — you can recognize this by yellow or brown spots.

But it mustn’t be too dark either. In shade, Monstera will keep growing, but it will produce small leaves without holes and long, thin stems (it is “searching” for light). A Monstera that develops large, fenestrated leaves is in the right spot.

Monstera aerial roots

For many owners, Monstera aerial roots can be confusing — thick, brown roots that grow out of the stem and point in every direction. But they are completely normal and important for the plant. In nature, Monstera uses them to climb up trees and absorb moisture from the air.

What should you do with them? Best option: guide them into the soil once they’re long enough. Or attach them to a moss pole — this gives the plant support and allows the aerial roots to absorb moisture. Don’t cut them off unless they really get in the way — the plant needs them.

Propagating Monstera

Propagating Monstera is easy and fun. Cut a stem cutting with at least one node (the small bump on the stem where aerial roots or leaves grow) and one leaf. Place the cutting in a glass of water — roots will form after two to four weeks. Once the roots are 5–10 cm long, plant it in soil.

Alternatively, you can place the cutting directly into moist soil and cover it with a plastic bag (greenhouse effect). This works too, but takes a little longer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Monstera

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