Propagating the Swiss Cheese Monstera, known botanically as Monstera adansonii, is a rewarding process that allows you to create new plants from an existing specimen. This popular vining houseplant, recognized for its distinctive perforated leaves, is quite easy to multiply using stem cuttings.
Necessary Supplies and Preparation
Gather all necessary tools before starting the cutting process. Use a pair of sharp, clean cutting implements, such as bypass pruners or a knife. The tool must be sterilized, ideally wiped down with rubbing alcohol, to prevent the transfer of pathogens to the plant’s fresh wound.
You will also need a container for the rooting phase, such as a glass jar or a small pot filled with a rooting medium. Suitable mediums include sphagnum moss or an airy potting mix. Warmth and bright, indirect light are the ideal environmental conditions for the cutting to establish roots.
Making the Stem Cuttings
Successful propagation requires correctly identifying the plant’s growth point, known as the node. The node is the slightly swollen area on the stem where a leaf petiole originates and where aerial roots emerge. New root growth is initiated directly from the cells within this structure.
A viable cutting must include at least one node, as stem pieces without a node will not develop roots. Cut approximately a half-inch below the chosen node. Cuttings with two or more nodes and a couple of leaves tend to root more quickly because they have more energy reserves. Remove any leaves that would be submerged in the rooting medium to prevent rotting and bacterial growth.
Rooting the Cuttings
Once the stem cuttings are prepared, the next step is to encourage root development using a preferred medium. Water, sphagnum moss, and soil are the most common choices. Water propagation is often the easiest method, requiring only that the node be fully submerged in a vessel of room-temperature water. The water must be changed weekly to replenish oxygen and discourage the growth of bacteria and fungus, which can cause the cutting to rot.
For those opting for a solid medium, sphagnum moss offers an excellent balance of moisture retention and aeration. The moss should be thoroughly dampened and then squeezed to remove excess water before the cutting is nestled in it, ensuring the node is covered. If rooting directly in soil, a light, well-draining potting mix that includes amendments like perlite or orchid bark should be used. Both moss and soil methods require the medium to be kept consistently moist, not saturated, and a humidity dome can significantly accelerate root growth in these environments.
The time it takes for roots to form varies, but visible growth usually appears within two to six weeks, with water propagation sometimes showing the fastest initial results. Regardless of the medium, the cutting should be kept in a warm location with bright, indirect light. It is generally recommended to wait until the new roots are between one and three inches long before transitioning the cutting to a different environment.
Transitioning to Permanent Soil
The cutting is ready for its permanent home when the newly formed roots have reached a length of one to two inches and begin developing secondary root branches. This length provides enough surface area for the plant to absorb water and nutrients. The roots developed in water or moss are highly accustomed to a fully saturated environment, so the transition requires careful management to prevent transplant shock.
The potted cutting should be placed into a small container, typically a 4-inch pot, using a chunky, aerated potting mix. This mix often contains components like orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir, which allow for quick drainage and oxygen circulation around the roots. After planting, the soil should be thoroughly watered until excess drains from the bottom, settling the mix around the delicate roots and eliminating any air pockets.
For the first few weeks, the soil should be kept uniformly moist, slightly wetter than a mature plant’s soil, to help the new roots acclimate to the denser medium. Maintaining high ambient humidity and keeping the new plant in bright, indirect light will further reduce stress and encourage continuous, healthy growth.