Propagating Monstera Without a Node | Can it be done?

Monstera cannot be successfully propagated without a node. When taking cuttings from Monstera it is important to include a node, healthy stem and at least one leaf for the best and fastest results. The node is essential to successfully grow monstera as this will be the growth point where new roots will form.

Monstera can be propagated in water or damp peat moss and transferred to potting soil. Propagating monstera is easy if you have a few easy tips. This article will explore why a monstera node is essential for successful propagation and how to identify one.

Monstera nodes bulge where the leaves join and they may grow an aerial root from the stem.

Can you propagate monstera without a node?

Monstera plants cannot be propagated from a cutting without a node. The node is the key growth point from which the plant will grow new roots. This section of stem can be placed in a jar of water or propagating soil to grow a new monstera plant. Keep soil moist until the monstera grows its own roots.

Monstera nodes often have aerial roots growing from them. This will increase the chance of the cutting successfully growing.

Identifying monstera nodes

Monstera nodes look like a bulging nodule on the stem of the plant. This will be the point where the leaf stem branches off from the main stem and there may even be an aerial root growing from the other side.

I have found that monstera will root quicker if they have an aerial root growing from the stem. The aerial root will often extend quickly when placed in a jar of water allowing the stem to absorb more water quicker.

When placed in soil or a growth medium like peat moss, monstera will root quickly. Place them in a warm, bright position and keep the soil moist. Monstera can be placed near a window but out of direct sunlight. They will also grow well in a hot house where ethe humidity is kept higher preventing the stem from drying out.

Internodes on monstera

Internodes are the areas of stem between the monstera leaf join and the next node. This area of stem connects the nodes lengthening the stem and allowing the plant to climb. Monstera will continue to grow longer stems by extending and their leaf growth and internodes.

Monstera can grow so large that it will grow up a grow pole or outdoors up a trellis.

Best place to take a monstera cutting

The best place on the plant to take a cutting is 1-2 inches below a node. Depending on how large your monstera is there may only be an inch gap between each node. In this case, snip the monstera closer to the bottom node to keep the main plant tidy.

The cutting point will heal over on the main plant. The cutting can be placed in a jar of water that covers the bottom 4 inches of the stem. Make sure the node is covered with water so that it can sprout roots. The roots will absorb water as the stem grows.

After around 4 weeks you can transplant monstera into some soil. The roots that have grown in water will be replaced with roots that are specialized for growing in soil. They will absorb water and nutrients and support the plant to grow into its own independent plant.

Take a monstera cutting below the node.

How to propagate monstera from a node cutting

There are a few tips that can help you to successfully propagate new plants from monstera node cuttings. These will give the cutting the best chance of growing into its own plant.

1. Use sharp clean secateurs and snip below a node

To take a monstera cutting use sharp, clean secateurs to and cut a piece of stem and leaf off. It is best to have at least an inch of stem growth below the node if you can. This node could also include an aerial root and at least 1 leaf.

Leave the aerial root on the cutting as it will help it to absorb water while it is growing. Aerial roots will also help you to identify where the node is. Look out for the bulge, leaf join and an aerial root to be sure.

2. Place the stem in a jar or vase of water

Place the monstera stem including the node and aerial root in a jar of water. Make sure the node is covered in water. It is best to place the stem in at least 4 inches of water as this will make sure the node is covered in water for at least a week.

Monstera stems absorb a lot of water and will usually need to be topped up each week to keep the node submerged. Refresh the water or top it up each week back to this 4 inch level.

3. Place the jar in a position that gets bright light

Place the jar with the monstera node cutting in a bright position. Make sure it gets at least 6 hours of bright light. Monstera cuttings will generally grow faster if you take them in spring as the weather is warmer and the plant will be in growth mode.

Monstera cuttings can however be taken at any time of year, just expect those taken in winter to take a bit longer to grow roots.

4. Replace the water every week

Refresh and replace the water for the monstera cutting each week. Top up the level and replace the contents to make sure the jar does not start to grow algae. If green algae starts to grow in the jar, use a scrubbing brush to remove the algae. Algal growth can stop the light from getting through the jar and an slow the monstera cutting growth.

5. In 4 weeks plant the cutting out into fresh potting soil

Leave the monstera in the jar of water for at least 4 weeks. This will be enough time for the cutting end to heal over and for water roots to grow. These help the cutting to establish and will be replaced with soil roots when the cutting is transplanted.

I have always had more success with cuttings when they have been established in water first. You can plant them straight into potting soil. It is important to keep the cutting moist in the soil. This is easier if they are grown in a greenhouse where the humidity is higher.

Will monstera cuttings without a node ever grow roots?

It may grow small water roots but these will not support the growth of a full plant. Once it transplants into soil the roots will die off and the plant will not survive.

Propagating Monstera Without a Node | Summary

Monstera cuttings without nodes will not grow into their own independent plants. For successful cuttings, snip a piece of monstera that includes a node, aerial root and a healthy leaf. This will grow into a new plant within 4-6 weeks that can be planted out into soil.

Happy growing.