A practical TOMs FLOWer CLUB guide to nodes, aerial roots, rooting and new growth

Monstera deliciosa is one of the most rewarding tropical houseplants to propagate. Once you understand one simple rule – a Monstera cutting needs a node – stem propagation becomes surprisingly straightforward.

The large, mature leaves may be what makes Monstera deliciosa so attractive, but the leaf itself is not what creates a new plant. New roots and shoots develop from the node, the part of the stem where a leaf, petiole and axillary bud are connected. A cutting without a node may remain a perfectly attractive leaf for a while, but it cannot produce a new growing point.

At TOMs FLOWer CLUB, I prefer propagation methods that allow the plant to develop naturally rather than forcing fast growth. The aim is not simply to produce roots, but to establish a healthy new Monstera with a functioning root system and an active growth point.

What is a Monstera node?

Before taking your cutting, learn to identify the node.

A node is the slightly thickened section of the stem where the leaf and petiole emerge. It is also associated with an axillary bud, which is the dormant growth point capable of producing a new shoot.

The section between two nodes is called an internode.

This distinction is essential:

Leaf + petiole = not enough.

Stem + node + viable axillary bud = a propagatable Monstera cutting.

An established aerial root is not absolutely necessary, but a node with an existing aerial root is particularly useful because it already has a structure capable of developing into a functioning root system. University of Connecticut recommends stem cuttings with established aerial roots where possible, while University of Wisconsin also describes rooting cuttings taken just below an aerial root.

What you need

You do not need complicated equipment.

For a Monstera stem cutting:

• a healthy Monstera deliciosa
• a clean, sharp knife or pruning scissors
• a small container with good drainage
• a well-aerated rooting medium
• clean water
• optionally, an aerial-rooted node
• optionally, rooting hormone

For Monstera, suitable rooting media include perlite, well-draining potting substrate, sphagnum-based media or LECA. Water propagation is also possible. The important principle is that the node receives moisture without being kept permanently saturated. Poor drainage and excessive moisture increase the risk of rot.

Step 1 – Choose a healthy stem

Start with a healthy, actively growing Monstera deliciosa.

Look for a section of stem with:

• at least one healthy node
• a visible axillary bud
• preferably an aerial root
• healthy, undamaged tissue
• one or more healthy leaves if you are taking a leafy cutting

A larger cutting with several nodes and leaves can establish more readily because the existing foliage continues to photosynthesise while the cutting develops roots.

Do not take a cutting simply because it contains a beautiful leaf. Always locate the node first.

Step 2 – Make the cut

Use a clean, sharp cutting tool.

Make the cut through the stem below the node, leaving enough stem tissue around it.

If the cutting has an aerial root, keep that aerial root attached.

For a tip cutting, University of Wisconsin recommends cutting the stem just below an aerial root and potting the cutting. Lower stem sections can also be divided into individual sections containing nodes.

With longer Monstera stems, it is possible to create several propagating sections, provided that each section contains a viable node.

This is where many propagation attempts go wrong: cutting the stem into pieces is easy; cutting it into pieces that actually contain viable growth points is the important part.

Step 3 – Decide how you want to root it

There are three practical approaches.

1. Rooting in water

This is probably the easiest method for beginners because you can see what is happening.

Place the node in clean water while keeping the leaf and most of the stem above the water.

Do not submerge the entire cutting.

Change the water if it becomes cloudy.

Water propagation works with Monstera deliciosa, although roots produced in water can be structurally different from roots developed directly in a solid rooting medium. A water-rooted cutting therefore needs a little care when eventually transferred into substrate.

My advice

Water propagation is excellent if you want to observe the rooting process.

For long-term establishment, however, I prefer a well-aerated rooting substrate.

2. Rooting in perlite or another airy medium

Place the node into lightly moistened perlite or another suitable rooting medium.

The node should have contact with the moist medium, but it should not sit in stagnant water.

This provides the combination that a developing root system needs:

moisture + oxygen + warmth + time.

Perlite is particularly useful because it provides support while retaining enough moisture and air around the developing roots.

3. Rooting in a well-drained organic substrate

A Monstera stem cutting can also be rooted directly in a suitable potting substrate.

Use a small container rather than an unnecessarily large pot. A large volume of wet substrate around a small cutting is more difficult to manage and can remain wet for too long.

Insert the node into the substrate and keep the cutting stable.

Do not bury leaves or the growing tip.

The University of Connecticut specifically recommends well-draining substrate and cautions against burying growing tips because excessive moisture around them can encourage rot.

Step 4 – Give the cutting the right environment

This is where patience becomes more important than technique.

Place your Monstera cutting somewhere:

bright, warm and protected from strong direct sunlight.

The cutting needs enough light to maintain its existing foliage and support new growth, but intense direct sun can cause unnecessary stress, particularly while the root system is still developing.

Warm conditions generally encourage faster rooting.

If the air is very dry, increased humidity can help. However, high humidity does not compensate for a waterlogged rooting medium.

Humidity is useful. Stagnant moisture is not.

Step 5 – Be patient

One of the biggest mistakes in Monstera propagation is expecting a new leaf immediately after roots appear.

The cutting first has to establish a root system.

Depending on the cutting, conditions and propagation method, rooting can take several weeks. University of Minnesota notes that nodes can take 2–3 months before producing new leaves, while its propagation guidance reports roots forming in approximately 2–4 weeks under suitable conditions. These are different stages of the process: rooting may occur well before visible new foliage appears.

So:

No new leaf does not automatically mean no progress.

A cutting can be busy developing roots underneath the surface long before you see anything happening above the substrate.

What happens after rooting?

Once the cutting has developed a healthy root system and begins active growth, it can be transferred into its longer-term container if it was initially rooted in water or a propagation medium.

Use a well-draining, airy substrate.

Do not immediately move a tiny cutting into an enormous pot. A container only slightly larger than the established root system is easier to manage and reduces the risk of excessive moisture around the roots.

Once established, Monstera deliciosa appreciates bright light, regular watering with drying between waterings, warmth and room for its characteristic climbing growth.

And remember:

Monstera deliciosa is a climber.

If you want large, mature leaves with characteristic fenestrations, give the plant something to climb. In nature, Monstera uses aerial roots to attach itself to trees and climb upwards.

Why isn't my Monstera cutting growing?

This is one of the most common questions.

“I have a leaf, but no new plant.”

Check whether the cutting actually contains a node and axillary bud.

A leaf and petiole without a node cannot create a new growing point. It may remain green for some time, but it cannot develop into a complete Monstera plant.

“The cutting has roots but no new leaf.”

Be patient.

Root development normally precedes visible new shoot growth. The node may remain dormant while the plant establishes its root system.

“The cutting is turning brown or soft.”

Check the moisture level and drainage.

A constantly wet, poorly aerated medium can encourage rot. Healthy roots should be firm rather than soft and brown.

“My cutting has an aerial root but still isn't growing.”

An aerial root is helpful, but it is not itself the shoot. The cutting still needs a viable node and axillary bud capable of producing new growth.

Can you propagate Monstera deliciosa from a single leaf?

No – not in the normal sense of producing a new plant.

This is one of the most important things to understand about Monstera propagation.

A leaf with its petiole can sometimes remain alive after being removed from the mother plant, but without a node and viable growth point it cannot produce the new stem required to develop into a complete Monstera plant.

So when buying or exchanging Monstera cuttings, do not ask only:

“Does it have a leaf?”

Ask:

“Does it have a node?”

That is the much more important question.

Can one Monstera stem produce several plants?

Yes.

A sufficiently long Monstera stem can be divided into several sections, with each section containing a viable node. This is one of the reasons established Monstera plants can be propagated efficiently from stem material.

However, I would not recommend cutting a healthy mother plant into numerous tiny pieces simply to maximise the number of cuttings.

A stronger cutting with a healthy node, adequate stored resources and, where available, an aerial root generally gives you a more substantial starting point.

At TOMs FLOWer CLUB, this is exactly where quality before quantity matters.

Stem cutting vs. air layering

Monstera deliciosa can also be propagated by air layering.

The principle is similar: encourage roots to form at a node while the stem is still connected to the mother plant. Once roots have developed, the rooted section can be separated.

For a valuable, large or particularly beautiful Monstera, air layering can be an excellent way to reduce the risk associated with taking an unrooted cutting.

For straightforward propagation, however, a properly prepared stem cutting is usually sufficient.

The TOMs FLOWer CLUB approach

There is no need to make Monstera propagation complicated.

Find the node.

Keep it clean.

Give it warmth, light, oxygen and appropriate moisture.

Then give it time.

The most important lesson is not a special propagation powder or a complicated propagation chamber. It is understanding the plant itself.

A Monstera deliciosa does not grow a new plant from a leaf. It grows a new plant from a viable stem section containing a node and its growth point.

That small piece of botanical knowledge makes successful propagation much easier.

And perhaps that is the nicest thing about propagating Monstera: you are not simply making another houseplant. You are taking one small section of an established climbing plant and giving its natural growth potential a new beginning.

Quality before quantity.
Plants with soul.
TOMs FLOWer CLUB.

Frequently asked questions about Monstera deliciosa propagation

How long does Monstera deliciosa take to root?

Under suitable conditions, roots can begin forming within several weeks, but the timing varies considerably. Visible new leaves may take considerably longer; University of Minnesota notes that a propagated node can take up to 2–3 months before producing new leaves.

Does a Monstera cutting need an aerial root?

No. The essential requirement is a viable node with an axillary bud. An existing aerial root is advantageous and can make establishment easier, but it is not the defining requirement for propagation.

Can Monstera deliciosa grow from a leaf cutting?

A leaf and petiole without a node cannot develop into a new complete Monstera plant. The node and its growth point are required.

Is water propagation good for Monstera?

Yes. Monstera deliciosa can be rooted in water, and the visible root development makes this an accessible method for beginners. Once rooted, the cutting can be transferred to a suitable, well-drained substrate.

Should I use rooting hormone?

It is not essential for Monstera deliciosa. The plant can root without additional rooting hormone, although auxin-based rooting products can influence rooting in some circumstances.

What is the best medium for Monstera cuttings?

A medium that retains appropriate moisture while providing good aeration and drainage is the important factor. Perlite, suitable potting substrate and LECA are among the options described for Monstera propagation.