Question
Hello,
About 6 weeks ago I grabbed a cutting of Monstera deliciosa (?), Split Leaf Philodendron. My friend had cut it off her overgrown plant and I brought it home and dropped it in a 5 gallon bucket of water to root, as there were several root nubs coming off of a very sturdy and good sized stem. I just re-potted it this morning into a 10 inch pot that is about 6 inches deep. There are already severy long nice roots and since winter is approaching I thought it best to go ahead and pot it. It has 3 big leaves and has sprouted two new ones since it's been in water. I think it's doing okay.
My question is this. I've read somewhere before that while a split leaf is first starting to sprout roots, you should keep it in a fairly dark area. The article said that keeping it in the shade while it roots will help to encourage very thick, lush growth. Is this true? If it's not, could you give me tips on encouraging this plant to become become full and leafy? Thank you in advance for your time!

Audrey

Answer
Hi Audrey,

There may be a bit of truth to what you read about light for your Monstera, but it is mostly incorrect. The light when it is rooting should be no different than when it is a mature plant. That light should be very, bright indirect indoor light. That would be close to and in front of a north facing window or back a bit from an east window. Monsteras also grow very well under fluorescent lights that are less than 2 feet overhead. In direct sunlight, the leaves tend to bleach out to a paler green color, so indirect light is preferred. If the light is too dim, then the leaves will be smaller and the stems will be thinner and elongated.

To promote full, compact growth it is best to pot your cutting in the smallest pot that the roots will fit into along with just enough soil to cover them. Potbound plants grow much faster. Move to a pot one size larger only when it is necessary to water thoroughly again after a couple of days.

Monstera stems do not readily branch, so it is important to put multiple cuttings in the same pot to create fullness. Because new growth is always at the tip ends, Monsteras tend to grow quite tall and leggy unless they are pruned back regularly. The tip cuttings from the prunings can be inserted in the base of the plant to help it fill out.

BTW, moving well-rooted cuttings to soil can be done at any time of the year.

I have written an article on plant propagation that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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