The popularity of the Monstera deliciosa, often called the Swiss Cheese Plant, has made it a common sight in homes, bringing with it the unique feature of aerial roots. These structures appear as brown, vine-like protrusions emerging from the stem nodes and are a natural part of the plant’s growth. Their unusual appearance often prompts enthusiasts to question their function and whether they can be placed in water. Understanding how these specialized roots work is the first step in managing them correctly.
The Purpose of Monstera Aerial Roots
In their native tropical environments, Monstera species are epiphytes, meaning they naturally grow upon other plants, typically large trees, for support. The aerial roots are a type of adventitious root, developing from the stem tissue above the soil line to serve a dual function. Their primary role is structural, acting as anchors to secure the climbing vine to a host tree, providing the plant with support to reach brighter light conditions.
These roots also acquire nutrients and moisture. They absorb ambient humidity, rainwater, and dissolved nutrients from organic debris that accumulates on the tree’s surface. This ability to gather resources sustains the plant while climbing toward the canopy. Indoors, these roots represent a healthy plant following its natural instincts for growth and self-support.
Placing Aerial Roots in Water for Plant Hydration
The core question is whether submerging an attached aerial root into water benefits the mother plant. Yes, this practice provides supplemental hydration, especially for large plants or those in dry indoor air, but it requires careful management. When the woody aerial root is submerged, it transforms, developing finer, paler, specialized water roots that are efficient at absorbing liquid water.
This method helps the plant maintain turgor pressure, which keeps the leaves firm and encourages vigorous growth. A small jar of water can be positioned near the stem to catch a downward-growing aerial root. The water must be changed frequently, ideally every few days, to prevent stagnation, bacterial growth, and root rot. If the root is left in water for an extended period, the plant can become dependent on this secondary source, making sudden removal stressful.
Using Aerial Roots for Propagation
Aerial roots play a beneficial role when a section of the Monstera is removed for propagation. When taking a stem cutting, the presence of an aerial root provides a head start to the rooting process. The node, the swollen area on the stem where the leaf and aerial root emerge, contains the auxins that stimulate root formation.
To successfully propagate, a cutting must be taken with sterilized shears, including at least one healthy leaf, a node, and the attached aerial root. Submerging the node and the aerial root into clean water encourages a new, functional root system to form. The existing aerial root acts as a scaffold and rapidly develops a network of thinner, white water roots. The cutting is ready for soil once the new water roots have grown one to four inches, typically taking several weeks.