This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Aerial roots on monstera plants can be trimmed, redirected, or left alone, since they are a natural and healthy part of the plant, not a problem to fix.
If you’re looking at those long, brown tendrils curling out of your monstera and wondering what to do with them, you’re definitely not alone.
Aerial roots on monstera plants often look a little chaotic, and many plant parents assume they need to be removed right away.
But the truth is, aerial roots on monstera plants are actually a sign that your plant is thriving and reaching for support in its environment.
In this post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about what to do with aerial roots on monstera plants, including when to trim them, how to encourage them, and the best ways to manage them so your plant looks its best.
Let’s dive in and talk about those quirky roots.
Why Monstera Plants Grow Aerial Roots
Monstera plants grow aerial roots as part of their natural climbing habit, using them to anchor onto trees in the wild.
These aerial roots on monstera plants are not just random growths; they serve a very specific purpose that helps your plant stay strong and healthy.
Understanding why they appear is the first step in figuring out what to do with aerial roots on monstera plants in your home.
Here’s a closer look at the reasons behind them.
1. They Act as Natural Anchors
In the wild, monstera plants are climbers that grow up the sides of large trees in tropical rainforests.
The aerial roots on monstera plants are the plant’s way of grabbing onto tree bark to support its heavy stems and enormous leaves.
That’s why you’ll often see them reaching out toward anything nearby, like a moss pole, a trellis, or even a nearby wall.
When you give your monstera something to climb, the aerial roots will naturally wrap around it for support.
This is the most common and helpful function of aerial roots on monstera plants, so letting them do their job is a great plan.
2. They Absorb Moisture and Nutrients
Aerial roots on monstera plants are also capable of soaking up water and nutrients from the air and from the surface they’re touching.
In the humid rainforest, these roots grab moisture that collects on tree bark and in the surrounding atmosphere.
Indoors, this means the roots can help your monstera stay hydrated, especially if the air in your home is not too dry.
The roots are not the plant’s main source of water, though, so you don’t need to worry if they look a bit dry or woody.
Knowing this makes it easier to decide what to do with aerial roots on your monstera, because you can see they’re doing important work.
3. They Are a Sign of a Happy, Mature Plant
If your monstera is producing lots of aerial roots, that’s actually a really good sign.
Many mature monstera plants develop these roots as they grow larger and prepare to climb.
So instead of stressing about what to do with the aerial roots on your monstera, you can celebrate that your plant is feeling right at home.
Young or struggling plants often don’t produce as many aerial roots, so plenty of them usually means you’re doing something right.
Once you understand this, managing the appearance of aerial roots on monstera plants becomes a matter of preference, not panic.
When To Trim Aerial Roots On Monstera
You can trim aerial roots on monstera plants when they become too long, unruly, or start to look unsightly, but it’s not always necessary.
The decision to trim depends on your personal style and how the roots are affecting the plant’s overall look.
Here’s how to figure out when trimming is the right choice for your monstera.
1. When They Get Too Long and Tangled
Sometimes aerial roots on monstera plants grow several feet long and start to wrap around other plants, furniture, or themselves.
In this case, trimming them back is completely fine and will not hurt your plant at all.
Use a pair of clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the roots back to a length that looks tidy to you.
A good rule of thumb is to leave at least a few inches of the root intact so it doesn’t dry out and cause stress to the plant.
Regular trimming can be a part of your routine care if you want to keep your plant looking neat.
2. When They Are Dry or Broken
It’s normal for the tips of aerial roots on monstera plants to turn brown, dry out, and even break off on their own.
If you notice a root that is completely brown and crispy, you can safely snip off the dead portion.
This won’t harm the plant, and it will prevent the dry area from continuing to shrink up the length of the root.
Trimming away the unhealthy parts is a simple answer to what to do with aerial roots on monstera plants that are past their prime.
Just be sure to only remove the dried-out sections and leave the firm, healthy parts alone.
3. When You Want a Cleaner Look
Some people just prefer the look of a monstera without long, dangling roots all over the place.
There’s nothing wrong with that at all, and trimming them is a totally acceptable option.
You can cut aerial roots on monstera plants right back to the stem if you want, and the plant will be fine.
The roots will not grow back from the cut point, but the plant may eventually produce new ones in other spots.
So if you want a minimalist, tidy look, you don’t have to feel guilty about giving those roots a little haircut.
If you don’t want to cut them, you can redirect aerial roots on monstera plants toward a support structure to keep them controlled.
This is the ideal method for people who want to keep the benefits of the roots while still managing their appearance.
Here are some practical ways to guide the roots where you want them to go.
A super easy way to deal with aerial roots on monstera plants is to gently bend them down and tuck the tips into the potting soil.
This allows the roots to start absorbing water and nutrients directly from the soil, giving your plant an extra boost.
It also cleans up the visual mess by hiding the roots underneath the top layer of dirt.
If the roots are too stiff to bend, you can use a small piece of wire or floral pin to hold them against the soil surface.
Within a few weeks, the roots should take hold in the soil and become even more beneficial.
If you have a moss pole set up, you can guide aerial roots on monstera plants to wrap around the pole as they grow.
Simply take the longest roots and gently wind them around the pole, securing them with soft plant ties if needed.
As the roots make contact with the pole, they will eventually attach and grip all on their own.
This mimics the plant’s natural climbing behavior and helps it grow taller and stronger.
It’s one of the best things to do with aerial roots on monstera plants because it works with the plant’s natural instincts.
For roots that are reaching out horizontally, you can use coated wire or plant clips to attach them to a wall, a wooden frame, or a nearby shelf.
This keeps the roots out of the way and gives them a secure surface to cling to if they want.
Just make sure you don’t attach them too tightly, because the roots can still grow and need a little room to expand.
Using clips is a great answer for what to do with aerial roots on monstera plants when you want to keep them but avoid the chaos.
Redirecting them is always better than cutting when you want to maintain maximum health.