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Can Monstera Aerial Roots Be Planted?
Yes, monstera aerial roots can be planted, and doing so is one of the best ways to give your plant extra support and nutrients.
If you’ve been wondering whether monstera aerial roots can be planted in soil, the short answer is absolutely, though they behave a little differently than underground roots.
When you plant monstera aerial roots, they will gradually adapt to life beneath the soil and start functioning like regular roots over time.
In this post, we’ll explore why you can plant monstera aerial roots, what happens after you plant them, and the best methods for planting these roots successfully.
Let’s dig in.
Why You Can Plant Monstera Aerial Roots
Monstera aerial roots can be planted because they are still true roots, just ones that grew in the air instead of underground.
These roots are highly adaptive, and when given the right conditions, they will happily grow into the soil and support your plant.
Here are the main reasons why planting monstera aerial roots works so well.
1. Aerial Roots Are Designed to Find Soil
In the wild, monstera plants climb trees and send their aerial roots downward in search of the forest floor.
When those roots touch soil, they naturally root themselves and begin absorbing water and nutrients.
So the whole reason monstera aerial roots can be planted is that it’s literally their natural instinct to do so.
By guiding them into your pot, you’re recreating what happens in their native habitat.
2. Planting Them Increases Nutrient Uptake
When you plant monstera aerial roots into the soil, they transform into moisture and nutrient-gathering machines.
Aerial roots start out with a tough, woody exterior, but once buried in moist potting mix, they begin to produce finer feeder roots.
Those feeder roots are what really help your monstera take up water, nitrogen, and other essential nutrients.
When you plant monstera aerial roots, you’re essentially giving your plant more mouths to feed with.
3. It Gives Your Monstera Extra Stability
Monstera plants are climbers, and as they grow taller, they get top-heavy.
Planting monstera aerial roots into the soil anchors the plant more firmly, so it doesn’t wobble or topple over.
The more aerial roots you can direct into the ground, the sturdier your monstera will become.
This is especially helpful if you’re growing a large monstera with big, heavy leaves.
What Happens When You Plant Monstera Aerial Roots
So you’ve decided to plant monstera aerial roots, but what can you expect afterward?
The process isn’t instant, but it’s fascinating to watch once it begins.
1. The Root Changes Appearance
When monstera aerial roots are first placed in soil, they may look the same for a few weeks.
But eventually, the buried section will develop tiny white or yellow root hairs.
These new growths are the sign that your planted aerial roots are transitioning into underground roots.
Over time, the original aerial root may thicken slightly as it takes on its new role.
2. Growth Above the Soil May Accelerate
Once you plant monstera aerial roots, the extra nutrient absorption often leads to a growth boost above the soil.
You might notice new leaves unfurling faster, larger leaf sizes, and even more fenestrations, those iconic splits and holes.
That’s because your monstera now has a stronger root system to support its foliage.
So planting those dangling roots isn’t just cosmetic, it genuinely improves plant health.
3. The Plant Relies Less on the Old Stem Roots
When you plant monstera aerial roots, the plant starts to distribute its resource intake across all available roots.
This reduces the workload on the original underground root ball.
If your monstera has been struggling with root rot or overwatering, focusing on aerial roots can actually help it recover.
The new roots provide an alternate pathway for water and nutrients to reach the plant.
How to Plant Monstera Aerial Roots for the Best Results
Now that you know monstera aerial roots can be planted, let’s talk about the right way to do it.
You can choose from a few different methods depending on your plant’s setup.
1. Direct Them Straight into the Same Pot
The easiest way to plant monstera aerial roots is to gently bend them down and tuck the tips into the same pot.
Use your fingers to make a small hole in the soil, then press the aerial root about an inch deep.
Hold it in place by covering it with a bit of soil or using a small U-shaped pin.
This method works best for aerial roots that are long enough to reach the pot without snapping.
2. Use a Moss Pole or Support Column
If your monstera has a moss pole, you can train the aerial roots into the moss instead of the soil.
Moss retains moisture well and encourages roots to grow into it just like soil.
You can also plant monstera aerial roots into a second smaller pot placed next to the main one.
Once the roots establish themselves, you can either keep the extra pot or eventually separate it as a new plant.
3. Propagate by Planting a Cut Aerial Root
If you have a long, healthy aerial root, you can even cut it off and plant it on its own.
Yes, you can plant monstera aerial roots as cuttings, giving you a brand new monstera plant.
Just make sure the cutting includes a node and preferably a leaf, then place it in water or moist soil.
Within a few weeks, you’ll see new root growth, and soon you’ll have a whole new plant.
Common Mistakes When Planting Monstera Aerial Roots
While monstera aerial roots can be planted easily, there are a few mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
Steering clear of these will help you get the best results.
1. Burying the Root Too Deep
You don’t need to bury the whole aerial root, just the tip and a small portion of the length.
Burying too much can cause the root to rot, especially if the soil stays soggy.
Keep it shallow, about one to two inches deep, and let the rest stay exposed if it’s too long.
2. Overwatering After Planting
When you first plant monstera aerial roots, they aren’t immediately efficient at drinking water.
If you water heavily right away, you risk rotting the root before it has time to adapt.
Give the soil a light watering and then let it dry out slightly between waterings.
Once the root establishes itself, you can return to your normal watering routine.
3. Forcing Roots That Are Too Dry
If an aerial root has been dry and brittle for a long time, it might not adapt well to soil.
Try misting the root for a few days before planting to rehydrate it.
If the root has completely dried out and snapped off easily, it may be dead.
But otherwise, monstera aerial roots can be planted even when they look a little rough.
So, Can Monstera Aerial Roots Be Planted?
Monstera aerial roots can be planted, and there are many great reasons to do it.
When you plant monstera aerial roots, they provide extra support, increase nutrient uptake, and can even grow into new plants.
The key is to plant them carefully, avoid overwatering, and give them time to adjust to life underground.
So next time your monstera sends those long, twisty roots into the air, don’t snip them off in frustration.
Instead, tuck them into the soil and watch your monstera flourish with a bigger, healthier root system.
Yes, monstera aerial roots can be planted, and your plant will absolutely thank you for it.