How Long To Leave Monstera In Water

You can leave monstera in water for about 2 to 4 weeks when you’re propagating a cutting, but you can leave monstera in water for months or even years if you’re growing it as a water plant.

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The exact answer to how long you should leave monstera in water depends on your goal, the plant’s health, and the conditions around it.

You can also keep monstera in water permanently with extra care.

In this post, we’ll answer how long to leave monstera in water for propagation, what affects it, and the signs that tell you it’s time to move your monstera to soil.

Let’s dive in and explore how long monstera can stay in water.

How Long Can You Leave Monstera in Water?

The simplest answer is that you can leave monstera in water for as long as the plant stays healthy.
 
For propagation, most people leave monstera in water for about 2 to 4 weeks.
 
Within that window, the cutting develops enough roots to survive a transfer to potting mix.
 
If you’re not planning to use soil, you can leave monstera in water indefinitely.
 
Many monstera owners grow their plants in glass vases or jars and never switch to soil.
 
The trick is to change the water often and feed the plant with a diluted liquid fertilizer.
 

1. How Long to Leave Monstera in Water for Rooting

If you’re propagating, keep the cutting in water until the roots are at least 2 inches long.
 
This usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks in warm, bright conditions.
 
Some cuttings root faster, while others need a bit more patience.
 
You can leave monstera in water for up to 6 weeks if the roots are slow to grow.
 
Just make sure the water stays fresh and the cut end doesn’t rot.
 
As long as the stem looks firm and the roots are white, your monstera is doing fine in water.
 

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2. How Long to Leave Monstera in Water Before Soil

Once the roots reach about 3 to 4 inches long, your cutting is ready for soil.
 
You can leave monstera in water for an extra week after that to let the roots grow a little sturdier.
 
But if you wait too long, the roots become adapted to water and may struggle in soil.
 
The best window is between 3 and 5 weeks from the day you put the cutting in water.
 
After that, the risk of transplant shock increases.
 
Monitor the roots and leaves during this time.
 

Factors That Affect How Long to Leave Monstera in Water

Not every monstera will follow the same timeline.
 
A few factors can speed up or slow down how long you leave monstera in water.
 
Here’s what to keep in mind.
 

1. Light

Bright, indirect light is the most important factor for root growth.
 
In a dark corner, your monstera will need to stay in water longer.
 
Move it near a bright window but keep it out of direct sun.
 
With good light, your monstera can root in just 2 weeks.
 
With low light, you might wait 6 weeks or more.
 

2. Water Quality

The condition of the water matters a lot.
 
Use filtered, room-temperature water.
 
Tap water with high chlorine can slow root development.
 
Change the water every 3 to 5 days to keep it oxygenated.
 
If the water goes cloudy, rinse the roots and give your monstera fresh water right away.
 

3. Temperature

Monstera roots grow fastest in warm conditions.
 
Keep the water temperature between 65°F and 80°F if you can.
 
Avoid drafty windows and AC vents.
 
Cold water will make the cutting go dormant, which means you’ll need to leave monstera in water for a longer time.
 

4. Container Size

Jar size also affects how long to leave monstera in water.
 
A narrow container can crowd the roots and slow growth.
 
Choose a glass jar that gives the roots room to spread.
 
A wider container also allows more oxygen to reach the water, which keeps the roots healthy.
 
When the roots fill the container, it’s definitely time to transplant.
 

Signs It’s Time to Take Monstera Out of Water

Even if you’re comfortable leaving monstera in water, the plant will tell you when it’s ready to move on.
 
Watch for these signs.
 

1. Long, Branching Roots

If the roots are longer than 4 to 5 inches, your monstera is ready for soil.
 
You can still leave monstera in water, but the roots may tangle and become harder to separate later.
 
Long roots also mean the plant is using up nutrients quickly.
 
This is a good sign that it’s time to pot your monstera.
 

2. Yellowing Leaves

When the leaves start to turn yellow, the plant is stressed.
 
This often happens when you’ve left monstera in water without changing it often enough.
 
It can also mean a lack of nutrients in the water.
 
Move it to soil or add liquid fertilizer.
 

3. Root Rot

Brown, mushy, or smelly roots are a red flag.
 
If you see root rot, you can’t just leave monstera in water and hope it recovers.
 
You’ll need to trim the damaged roots and change the water immediately.
 
If the rot is severe, transplanting into fresh soil is the safest option.
 

So, How Long to Leave Monstera in Water?

You can leave monstera in water for 2 to 4 weeks when propagating, or leave monstera in water indefinitely if you’re growing it hydroponically.

And this Miracle-Gro All Purpose Fertilizer on Amazon can be a practical addition for you, so click the link to check it out.

The right answer depends on how the plant responds.

If the roots are growing and the leaves look healthy, there’s no rush to move it.

If you notice yellow leaves, mushy roots, or a foul smell, take action right away.

In most cases, leaving monstera in water for a few extra weeks won’t hurt.

But you’ll get the best results if you move it to soil once the roots are 3 to 4 inches long.

Now you know exactly how long to leave monstera in water and how to tell when the time is right.

Happy growing, and enjoy your beautiful monstera in water or soil!