Can You Cut The Long Roots Off A Monstera

You can cut the long roots off a monstera, and it’s completely safe for the plant when you do it the right way.
 
Those thick, brown aerial roots can grow several feet long, and they often make a monstera look messy and wild.
 
If you’ve been staring at your monstera and wondering, “can you cut the long roots off a monstera?” the answer is a solid yes.
 
Cutting the long roots off a monstera is a routine part of plant maintenance that many indoor gardeners do without any issues.
 
In this post, we’ll cover why these roots exist, when you should cut the long roots off a monstera, and the safest way to trim them.
 
Let’s get started.
 

Why Cutting The Long Roots Off A Monstera Is Totally Fine

Monstera plants are famous for their split and holey leaves, but those long aerial roots are just as important to understand.
 
These roots are designed to help the plant climb trees in the wild and capture moisture from the humid jungle air.
 
When you grow a monstera indoors, those roots often dangle in the air or trail along the floor.
 
The good news is, cutting the long roots off a monstera won’t kill it or even stress it out much.
 

Aerial Roots Serve A Different Purpose Indoors

In their natural habitat, monstera roots latch onto tree bark and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air around them.
 
That’s why they’re called aerial roots, after all.
 
But indoors, they don’t serve the same critical function.
 
Your monstera gets everything it needs from the soil in its pot, so those long dangling roots are essentially extra.
 
You can cut the long roots off a monstera without worrying about losing any essential function.
 
Think of them like hair on a person, they grow, they serve a purpose, but you can safely trim them for style.
 

Aesthetics And Space

One of the biggest reasons people ask “can you cut the long roots off a monstera?” is because those roots look untidy.
 
Long roots can drape over furniture, get tangled with other plants, or just clutter your space.
 
Trimming them keeps your monstera looking neat, compact, and well-maintained.
 
If you’re short on space, cutting the long roots off a monstera is a great way to keep the plant manageable indoors.
 

Root Bound Concerns

Sometimes a monstera’s roots grow so long that they circle the pot and cause the plant to become root bound.
 
When this happens, you can cut the long roots off a monstera to relieve some of that pressure.
 
This is especially common in potted monsteras that have been in the same container for several years.
 
By trimming the longest roots, you give the remaining roots more room to breathe, absorb water, and take up nutrients.
 
Just remember that aerial roots are different from the roots buried in the soil, so don’t go digging up the soil to cut those.
 

How To Cut The Long Roots Off A Monstera Safely

Now that you know you can cut the long roots off a monstera, let’s talk about the actual process.
 
It’s simple, but there are a few important details to keep in mind.
 
Follow these steps, and your monstera will stay healthy and happy.
 

Use Clean, Sharp Tools

Always use sterilized scissors or pruning shears when you cut the long roots off a monstera.
 
Dirty tools can introduce bacteria or fungi into the fresh cut, which can lead to rot or disease.
 
Wipe your blades with rubbing alcohol before you start and again if you’re making many cuts.
 
This small step ensures that cutting the long roots off a monstera won’t lead to infection.
 

Cut Close To The Base But Not Too Deep

You want to cut the long roots off a monstera as close to the main stem as possible.
 
Leave a small stub, about half an inch, rather than cutting flush against the stem.
 
This reduces the risk of accidentally damaging the stem tissue.
 
If the root is dry and brown, you can cut it right back to where it emerges from the stem.
 
If it’s still green and flexible, you can trim it to whatever length you prefer.
 

Don’t Remove All The Roots At Once

While you can cut the long roots off a monstera, you shouldn’t remove every single aerial root in one go.
 
Leaving a few roots intact helps the plant maintain its natural balance and stability.
 
A good rule of thumb is to trim no more than one-third of the aerial roots at a time.
 
This way, your monstera keeps some of its climbing and absorbing ability while still looking neater.
 
You can always trim more later once the plant has adjusted to the first round of cuts.
 

The Best Time To Trim The Roots

Monsteras are actively growing during spring and summer, so that’s the best time to cut the long roots off a monstera.
 
Pruning during the active growing season helps the plant recover faster and push out new growth.
 
You can still trim during fall or winter, but the plant will heal more slowly.
 
Avoid cutting roots when your monstera is stressed from underwatering, pests, or recent repotting.
 
Healthy plants bounce back quickly, so timing your trim matters.
 

Aftercare Is Simple

Once you’ve trimmed the roots, your monstera doesn’t need any special treatment.
 
Water it normally and keep it in its usual spot with bright, indirect light.
 
You might notice a little sap or moisture at the cut site, but that’s perfectly normal.
 
The cut ends will dry out and callus over within a few days.
 
Your monstera will continue growing as if nothing happened.
 

So, Can You Cut The Long Roots Off A Monstera?

Yes, you can cut the long roots off a monstera, and it’s a safe, common, and even beneficial practice.
 
Those long aerial roots are not essential for your monstera’s survival indoors, so trimming them won’t harm the plant.
 
Whether you’re cutting for looks, space, or root health, cutting the long roots off a monstera is perfectly fine.
 
Just use clean tools, leave a small stub, avoid removing too many roots at once, and keep up with simple aftercare.
 
With proper care, your monstera will stay healthy, look great, and continue to thrive in your home.
 
So go ahead and give those roots a trim, your monstera will thank you.