How To Deal With Monstera Aerial Roots?

If you have a monstera, or similar plant, you may have a few questions when it come dealing with aerial roots. This article answers your burning questions and will advise you on how to manage aerial roots on plants. You may want to invest in an artifical monstera (Amazon link) if you don’t want to deal with aerial roots. 

Can I Cut the Roots Off My Monstera?

To give you a quick answer – feel free to chop the aerial roots from your monstera, but there is no harm in leaving them as they are.  

What Are Aerial Roots For?

Aerial roots are used to support the plant. These roots grip onto other objects, which allow the plant to grow higher towards the light and be more secure. The roots are also allow plants to breathe air in places with soggy soil. Aerial roots can either grow from typical ground roots or from the plant stem.

Aerial Roots Vs Underground Roots?

The two types of root are completely different, so it is hard to compare them. Aerial roots allow the roots to climb higher, whereas underground roots take in moisture from the ground for the health of your plant.

With this is mind, monstera deliciosa aerial roots don’t have much of a purpose as they will be kept inside. You can learn about whether to keep your monstera inside or outside here.

Can I Leave the Aerial Roots On My Monstera?

Yes, you can leave the aerial roots on your monstera plant. They’re not doing any harm, so you can just leave them as they are.  

The only situation that you will need to cut the roots is if they become dangerous by poking people in the face. Aerial roots can’t damage the integrity of your house, but they could damage your home décor.

Instead of cutting the aerial roots, you may want to try and tuck the roots behind the plant/pot.

cutting monstera roots

Should I Cut the Aerial Roots Off My Monstera?

It is your decision. You won’t kill the plant by cutting off the aerial roots, but there is also no need to do so. However, you may want to remove the roots if they are getting in the way or posing a danger to people or pets in your household.

At the end of the day, it will come down to your personal preference. Your monster had aerial roots so that it can grow higher in the tropical forests, which isn’t needed in your home.

The only worry about cutting your roots is that there is risk of accidently cutting the plant. Doing this can permanently damage your plant, or even worse, give it a disease.

What Do Monstera Aerial Roots Look Like?

Monstera roots look like long twigs that twist and turn. Older roots are usually dark brown but still firm, whereas younger ones can start out with a lightish shade before being overtaken by darkness as they age.

Aerial roots are the most fascinating part of a plant. They can be small and hidden on the side, or they can grow out into luscious vines that wind their way all over your home!

Can I Grow a New Plant From Monstera Aerial Roots?

No, you cannot grow a new plant just from aerial roots. This means there is no need cut off your roots to prevent new plants from growing. With that said, some plants do have propagated aerial roots that are known to grow new plants, but the chances of this happening are very small. You can click here to find out how to make your monstera plant grow faster.

If you do manage to grow new plants from an aerial root, it is more likely that there was a leaf node attached to the root. Many people who say that you can grow a new plant from roots likely don’t realize that the reason was the node.

There is a massive chance that brown aerial roots will rot when placed into water or soil, not create new plants. You can watch the video below if you wish to grow monstera from aerial root node.

Should Monstera Aerial Roots Be Put in Water?

Personally, I wouldn’t put aerial roots in water as there is a good chance they would rot. However, this is just me, and some people were able to grow their monstera with their roots suspended in a tank full of water. Learn about water for monstera plants.

Should Monstera Aerial Roots Be Put in Soil?

Just like with water, I wouldn’t leave the aerial roots in soil. There are some who have had success doing it, but there are also others that have rotted their roots in the process. As the name suggests, aerial roots are supposed to be in the air. 

Other Types of Roots

You may want to know more about the other roots found on plants. Here they are…

  • Food storage – These are specially modified for the storage of water and starch
  • Water storage – These store water
  • Pneumatophores– These are aerial roots that are designed to obtain oxygen and gases
  • Contractile roots– This is a thick root that sits at the bottom of an organ. The root changes the position of the plant during seasonal droughts
  • Propagative roots – These are roots that develop into new plants, like Canada thistle and cherry plants
  • Parasitic roots – These roots are designed to penetrate other plants, where it then sucks the nutrients from it
  • Buttress roots – These are enormous roots that you typically find in forests. The roots add stability to the tree, while also working to take in extra nutrients  

Verdict

Aerial roots are used in a number of different ways. They take in air, give stability, take in nourishment, and allow for propagation. You may want to invest in an artifical monstera (Amazon link) if you don’t want to deal with aerial roots. 

It is personal preference as to whether you remove the aerial roots or keep them. I recommend leaving them as they are, but feel free to cut the aerials roots from your house plant. So that was about monstera roots, click here to learn about monstera leaf splitting