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How to Propagate Monstera Deliciosa -Propagating Swiss Cheese Plant

How to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant

Monstera deliciosa, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, due to its huge leaves full of holes, is a popular houseplant during the 1970s that is back with the booming Indoor Jungle trend. The Monstera Plants are a creeper that is commonly grown in tropical gardens and are a popular houseplant. While the long aerial roots usually take root in the soil with ease, propagation of Monstera deliciosa can also be accomplished by diverse means. Learn How to Propagate Monstera deliciosa and Monstera Plants (Monstera deliciosa, adansonii, obliqua, etc.) easily by cuttings in water, but also from seeds, or aerial layers. This is your guide to learning How to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant.

propagate monstera deliciosa plants How to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant.
How to Propagate Swiss Cheese PlantPropagate Monstera deliciosa and Monstera Plants (Monstera deliciosa, adansonii, obliqua, etc.)

How to Propagate Monstera Plant In Water

How to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant In Water Commonly, Monstera is spread by stem cuttings. Swiss cheese plant cuttings are easy to root. For cuttings, you can root them first in water, The other option is simply nailing them directly into the ground. The cuttings should be taken just after the leaf knot, removing the lowest leaves.

Here are different methods to propagate Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera deliciosa) and its varieties.

Then, you can root the cuttings of the Monstera plant in the water for a few weeks. Transfer them to a container, and partially bury the cuttings directly into the soil. Because they take root so easily, there is no need for rooting hormones.

Unlike most living things, plants can duplicate themselves through any of their cells, regardless of their origin.

First, extract a cut from the mother plant, and cut a 3″ (8 cm) twig at a 45-degree angle with a clean, sharp knife.

propagate monstera in water How to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant.
Swiss Cheese Plant can be easily propagated by cuttings in water, but also from seeds, or aerial layers.

Then, include the tip of the stem and a few leaves at the top and place it in a clean glass filled with room temperature water (replaced weekly to avoid the appearance of bacteria).

 leaf propagated in waterHow to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant.
How to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant. Monstera leaf – Propagation in Water

Put it in a sealed clear plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse. Professional tip: inflate the bag so that the cut does not touch the sides. Let the sunlight shine on it indirectly. Water it when necessary and watch those faint white tendrils grow.

Any species of Monstera Plants could be propagated in water.

Soil for Monstera

Soil for Monstera. The better soil is a mixture of 50% peat and 50% sand.

Aerial Method for the Propagation of Monstera

Aerial Method for the Propagation of Monstera. A Swiss Cheese Plant can also be propagated by dividing the offshoots into 12″ (30 cm) long sections. These can be pressed gently into the soil. Once they sprout, you can transplant them anywhere you want.

Swiss Cheese Plant Propagation. Aerial stratification is another method of propagating Monstera deliciosa. The process is very simple. Wrap some wet sphagnum moss around the stem with the aerial root. Hold the wet moss with a small piece of string around it to secure it in place.

wet sphagnum moss  Swiss Cheese Plant Propagation
Sphagnum Moss Swiss Cheese Plant Propagation. Aerial stratification is another method of propagating Monstera deliciosa. The process is very simple. Wrap some wet sphagnum moss around the stem with the aerial root. Hold the wet moss with a small piece of string around it to secure it in place.

Make small holes in a clear plastic bag as “air vents”. Then enclose this with the bag and tie it at the top. You should begin to see new roots appear in a few months. At this point, you can cut it off and replant it in another location.

Another option is to use a rooting device for propagation over the aerial roots. Results appear within 6-8 weeks after installation.

propagating rooting device
Rooting Device for Propagation and Propagation with Wet Sphagnum Moss

Propagation of Monstera deliciosa from Seeds

Propagation of Monstera deliciosa from Seeds. Monstera deliciosa can be propagated by seeds, germinating in a few weeks.

How to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant from seeds.

However, seedlings are extremely slow to develop. Also, seeds can be difficult to get, as it can take a year or more before the flowers produce ripe fruit.

The small pale green seeds also have a short shelf life, unable to dry well or be handled in cold temperatures.

Therefore, remember to use these green seeds as soon as possible.

monstera fruit seeds propagation
How to Propagate Swiss Cheese Plant from seeds. Monstera Fruit appears after 5-6 years. Mostly only for outdoor plants.

The seeds can be started like any other plant, by covering them gently with a thin layer of soil. They should be kept moist, but do not worry too much about light.

They have a strange way of growing away from the light, instead of reaching into the dark areas in search of something to climb on.

Monstera Deliciosa: Indoors or Outdoors?

Best Location for the Swiss Cheese Plant. Monstera Deliciosa: Indoors or Outdoors? Outdoor use is recommended, under trees or in pots with some shade.

monstera-propagation-outdoors propagate monstera deliciosa What is the best location for Swiss Cheese Plant?
Monstera Deliciosa: Indoors or Outdoors? What is the best location for Swiss Cheese Plant?
monstera-decoration-indoors propagate monstera deliciosa
What is the best location for Swiss Cheese Plant?

Easy to maintain in the water when leaves are placed quickly, facilitate enjoying Monstera indoors.

monstera indoors

Types of Monstera

Types of Monstera. The genus Monstera contains at least 45 species. Monstera deliciosa is the most representative. The other 2 common varieties to find are Monstera variegata and Monstera adansonii.

monstera deliciosa is the Swiss Cheese Plant
Monstera deliciosa is the most representative. Monstera deliciosa is the Swiss Cheese Plant
monstera variegata propagate monstera deliciosa

Propagate Monstera adansonii

Propagates Monstera adansonii is not different than Monstera deliciosa. Easy by cuttings in water, or by the other methods mentioned in this post. Learn more about this particular propagation here.

Aerial stratification is another method of propagating Monstera adansonii.

monstera adansonii propagate monstera deliciosa
Monstera adansonii

Monstera is Toxic to Cats and Humans

Is Monstera Toxic for Cats and Humans? Monstera leaves are toxic to pets, such as cats, and also to humans. The Swiss Cheese Plant is toxic, so Do not eat it!

propagating plants for comerce propagate monstera deliciosa
Nursery propagating Monstera obliqua

About Julia Morgan

Julia Morgan is an agronomist and a master gardener. In her previous roles, Julia was an advisor promoting large-scale food growing in urbanized areas, introducing the concept of chemical-free produce. She is an expert in putting her hands in the soil, developing organic foods, and improving production processes for decades. Julia is a natural teacher and encourages every person in her way to grow their own food. She split her days between writing and reviewing for The Garden Style Website and offering assessments to cure edible land. Julia enjoys connecting with The Garden Style Community.

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