Monstera deliciosa plant, also known as Swiss cheese plant, is a beautiful vine that is common in many houses and gardens. Originally a tropical plant, it could today be found in homes all around the world.

Monstera deliciosa is known for its aerial roots, which are long and resemble tentacles. These can easily be planted in the soil, which makes it easy to propagate Monstera deliciosa. However, this is not the only way in which you can propagate this beautiful vine. In fact, there are several common methods of propagation that you can use.

The Best Methods to Propagate Monstera Deliciosa

Unlike many other tropical plants, you can propagate Monstera deliciosa with a relative ease. There are several good methods to use for propagation, and your chosen way will depend on different factors. Keep in mind that certain approaches give better results than the others.

If you wish to propagate Monstera deliciosa, the best methods are:

• Through seeds
• Using air layering
• With cuttings

Propagating your Swiss cheese plant with seeds can be very rewarding, but this is not the easiest method to use. To propagate Monstera deliciosa with seeds, you will need to collect and germinate the seeds, which can take a few weeks. Keep in mind that Monstera seed is not always easy to get.

Furthermore, this can be a very slow method of propagations. The seedlings are generally slow to develop, and the resulting plants take a long time to mature. It takes at least a year for a mature fruit to be produced by the flowers. This time is often longer.

Another problem with this method of propagation is that the seeds are small and have a very short shelf life, so once collected, they need to be germinated quickly. They are also not easy to dry well and they cannot withstand cool temperatures. Because of this, it is important to plant the seeds as soon as possible, to increase your chances of successful propagation.

If you choose to propagate through seeds, keep in mind that the seeds need to be kept moist, but the light is not the main requirement. You will notice that the seedlings grow in a strange way, away from the light. Monstera deliciosa plants seek dark areas to climb on, so you should place your seedlings in an appropriate place for this.

In case this method sounds too complicated, you can try to propagate Monstera deliciosa through air layering. This is a relatively easy process: all you need to do wrap a bit of damp sphagnum moss around a stem. Make sure to do this at the exact spot where an aerial root and a leaf axil are.

Once the sphagnum moss is in place, tie a piece of string around it to secure it in place. Make sure to enclose the stem in a clear plastic bag with air vents cut through. Tie it off at the top. After this, monitor your plant. After a few months, you should see new roots appearing in a few months. Once the roots have appeared, simply cut the stem off and plant it in a new place.

Both propagation from seeds and through air layering can be successful, but by far the easiest way to propagate Monstera deliciosa plants is with cuttings. This is why cuttings are the most popular method to propagate Swiss cheese plants.

Why Propagate Monstera Deliciosa with Cuttings?

Propagating with cuttings provides numerous advantages to other methods. It is relatively easy, so even beginner gardeners can try it. Also, it is the quickest way to propagate your Monstera deliciosa. While it still takes time, it will be generally quicker than propagation from seeds or using air layering. Keep in mind that Monstera deliciosa cuttings are very easy to root, which makes your job easy and relatively quick. Finally, propagation using cuttings has a great chance of success. Because of this, cuttings are by far the most popular method of propagating Monstera plants.

If you wish to propagate Monstera deliciosa plant using stem cuttings, you can root them first in water, or plant them straight into the soil. Both methods give very good results. The first step is to take an appropriate cutting. Make sure to cut just after a leaf node, and remove all leaves from the bottom.

After this, you may choose to root newly collected cuttings in water. This should take a few weeks, after which they can be transplanted into a container. Another way to go is to place newly collected cuttings directly into the soil. If you choose to do this, make sure to only partially bury the cuttings not the soil.

The good news is that Monstera deliciosa cuttings root easily on their own, so there is no need to use any rooting hormone. This makes less job for you, and provides equally quick results.

Finally, keep in mind that you can propagate Monstera deliciosa by simply dividing suckers. Cut them into a footy long sections and press them gently into the soil. Wait until they sprout and transplant them into a new container.

Photo credit: Tobias Ziegler