Monstera , aboriginal to tropical jungles , naturally acquire around tree using its aerial ascendent . It ’s quite possible that your Monstera might exceed its tidy appearance , becoming leggy , and its stalk might not be as thick as you ’d like .
In this situation , you need to step in and help the plant keep its shape and encourage the base to inspissate , so it does n’t seem too marvelous or lanky .
I ’m excited to introduce you to my imperial Monstera , the pennant jewel of my indoor jungle . However , this beauty has become rather leggy over the past three and a one-half age .
This is the point where you should trim your Monstera stem
The pot is now sputter to hold the weight of my overgrown Monstera . Some of the get behind vines have withered and dry out up over time , and some of the lower leaves are turn yellow and falling off .
So , I ’m break down to share how I ’ve manage to restore my leggy Monstera to its true beauty and discuss the causes and prevention of leggy growth .
Contents
Why Monsteras Become Leggy
Several factor can induce a Monstera to become leggy , but one of the most rough-cut is insufficient light .
When Monsteras do n’t get enough illumination , they run to rise towards the lightheaded source , extend their fore and internode more than normal . Over time , this growth make the plant look too magniloquent or leggy .
Another cause is neglecting to crop the flora regularly . As Monstera grows , it likes toclimb like a vine . If you do n’t encourage a thick stem turn and a bushy plant shape , it can become overgrown and at last tall-growing .
How To Fix Leggy Monstera
My Monstera was begin to find like Jack ’s magical beanstalk ! It had grown so large that it was on the brink of topple over its pot , and finding a suitable place to house it had turned into quite a challenge .
But , reverence not ! I do to tackle the job psyche - on , and I ’m here to guide you through the process .
To begin , I slay the plant supports ( or stakes ) and trim back away any dry parts and wilting or yellow leaf .
This is the point where you should trim your Monstera stem
This not only helped me see the industrial plant ’s overall shape , but it also made it much easier to adjudicate the next steps . Having a clear view of the plant really helps when deciding which parts to trim first .
One exit I noticed was monstera stems grow outwards detracting from the overall appeal of the Monstera . For a profuse , attractive plant like this , a sprawling stem but wo n’t do , so I made the rugged decision to cut it back .
Next , I gently removed the flora from its plenty to visit the root system . The Monstera had been in the same pot for quite a farseeing time , and it seemed to have outgrow its home . My mistrust was confirmed – the root were tooth root - bound , a State Department that ’s not at all beneficial for the plant ’s growth and overall health .
In the thick of this gardening adventure , I realized I had blank out to tire out baseball glove . Just a friendly tip – it ’s always recommended to wear glove when crop or transplantation , as the sap from the Monstera can irritate your tegument .
Not to mention , gloves can protect your manicure ! in person , though , I often forget to wear down them – there ’s something soothe about the feel of soil and works root against my pelt .
After a skillful look at the Monstera ’s roots , it was clear they were extensively entwine , a experimental condition also known as being root - restrict . My solution ? Trim them back .
Since I was already planning to prune the plant to keep it in shape , it made sense to also reduce the excessive root word arrangement . With the root word prune and the yellowing and dying leave removed from the lower part of the industrial plant , my Monstera was much light and easy to manage .
1- The Ideal Time is During the Growing Season, from April to September
The best time for this sort of intervention ? The growing season , which typically run from April to September . Tackling an overgrown Monstera requires some bravery , as you ’ll need to tailor away parts of the plant that are taking over .
However , it ’s not a task you should undertake at any clip of the year . The optimum metre is during the Monstera ’s active grow period , mainly in the summer and quick months . Pruning in wintertime , when the plant is sleeping , might not take into account it to convalesce as look .
On the other hand , dress during the raise season minimizes the plant ’s “ wounds ” and accelerate up recovery . Plus , it paves the mode for novel leaves to emerge .
2- What to Do with Aerial Roots of a Leggy Monstera
A common business organisation among plant life owners orb around theaerial roots of the plant . What should you do with them ? Should they be snipped off , or left alone ?
This can be perplexing as many people often misconstrue their grandness and hastily dispose of them . Yet , I strongly believe that this might not be the dear approach .
airy etymon in a Monstera plant have crucial roles ; they act as a ‘ deck ’ to rend in and absorb wet from the beleaguer environment . These functions significantly contribute to the growth and overall health of your Monstera .
In addition to this , these root provide the livelihood your industrial plant needs to stand upright or climb , just like they would against a large tree diagram in the wild .
Here ’s an interesting point to keep in creative thinker : if the aery roots of your Monstera reach the soil and penetrate it , they will start to develop into beginning cognate to those of the principal plant .
You might think that these aeriform roots are n’t essential for survival of the fittest , but a Monstera without them might have slower growth . Over time , a weaker plant could become more susceptible to pests and disease .
Personally , I choose to keep the aerial source on my Monstera . However , I do trim off any excess to maintain the overall shape and aesthetics of the plant . Remember , these ascendent are n’t just functionally of import – they ’re a part of the plant ’s alone appeal too .
3- Cut The Overgrown Stems
Now , we reach the most important step of transforming your overgrown monstera into a more manageable plant . First , you need to arm yourself with a light , sharp couplet of pruning shears .
This will assist you efficiently trim down the excessively long shank of your ceriman . Aim to cut each stem close to the flora ’s radix , but verify you leave a few leave for aesthetical proportionality .
Just a news of care : monstera staunch can be astonishingly problematical , so be thrifty not to injure yourself during the process . Also , do n’t toss the cut segment just yet ! There ’s no need to waste them – these part can be used for propagation . That ’s right , those discarded pieces can give life to young , baby plants .
In this mode , you may get double the benefit : firstly , you ’re sculpting your unruly ceriman into a gorgeous , well - shaped plant , and second , you ’re creating new plants from the cuttings .
4- Place Your Monstera in a Well-Ventilated Area and Water It Sparingly
Having undergone a weighed down pruning , your Monstera has lost a considerable number of its folio along with a important portion of its stem . As a result , its watering indigence have lessened compare to before .
Overwatering could lead to problems , as the plant life ’s damage root organization might fight to take in the water fully . Moreover , with few leaves and stanch , the plant ca n’t employ supererogatory water efficaciously .
Perhaps you ’re used to water your plant on a strict schedule , guided by a routine rather than the works ’s needs . Here ’s a helpful confidential information : Check the topsoil by touching it .
If there ’s still moisture within 1 - 2 inches ( 2.5 - 5 centimeter ) of the soil , hold in off on watering for another Clarence Day or two . On the other hired hand , if the soil feels ironical , that ’s your signal to water your Monstera .
Under normal circumstances , watering your plant until the water supply seep through the drainage holes is the received practice . However , in the aftermath of pruning , endeavor to water your Monstera a bit less and see how it react .
During this period , be particularly conservative about watering , as an too slopped or waterlogged soil can increase the endangerment of root rot if the soil remains dampish for more than a week .
In the next few workweek , you ’ll necessitate to pay snug tending until new shoots start to appear and the plant life begin to settle . Once it record preindication of stability , you’re able to gradually return to your regular fear and management practice .
Pruning a Leggy Monstera: Progress Observation
Finally , let me deal with you the post - pruning progress of the Monstera I ’ve been cultivating .
Trimming the Leggy Monstera: May 2023
This time , I decided to give my Monstera a much - require trim to reach a conformation that ’s more pleasing to the heart .
It ’s the right grow time of year for the Monstera , and I did n’t desire to miss the staring opportunity , so I opt to prune it now .
I leave behind about three to four leaves intact and cut back the parts that were overly grown . Be cautious not to touch the plant sap , as it can have peel irritation .
For such pruning action , it ’s always best to wear out boxing glove . The stems of the Monstera are quite robust and unfluctuating . I suggest using a pair of sharp pruning shears for this job !
All done ! For a while , I ’ll keep the works in a well - ventilated area and ensure not to overwater it . If everything move as be after , it should begin producing new leaves within about a month .
New Buds Emerge from the Cut Parts: June 2023
New buds have lead off sprouting around the area where I made the cut . I ’ll keep supervise the plant ’s progression while insure it’snot exposed to direct sun , alternatively maintaining it in a partially shaded spot .
Once the filth dried out , I watered the plant meagerly and have been regularly obscure the leaves .
New Leaves Keep Unfolding: 10 March 2025
After pruning , the first foliage that appeared did n’t have any splits , which is a characteristic feature article of the Monstera , but it was expectant enough to be attractive .
Now , more and more new leave are emerge , and they have the desire splits , which hold me really happy . The industrial plant is growing healthily and swimmingly .
By rationalise your leggy Monstera at the proper time , following the right process , and leave the plant ’s needs post - pruning , you could minimize damage and well remold your overgrown Monstera . give thanks you so much for joining me on this journey of reshaping my Monstera !
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