Note: Don’t forget to keep the plant and the cutting well watered. It will start to root in 7-14 days and form an individual plant in the same pot after a few weeks!
4. Cut and Replant in the Same Pot
If you’re looking for the easiest trick, even for new gardeners, this is it! The new top section of a plant is the part that has most of the energy stored in it, which is why they are great for new propagations. And in situations where you cannot bend the stem for air-layering, use this trick!
The Trick: Instead of throwing the cuttings into different containers, root them and plant them right back in the same container with the mother plant. This instantly creates the look of several stems rising from a single base.
It will make the plant appear bigger and more mature without waiting months for fresh growth to fill in. Over time, the roots of the new cuttings will merge with the existing soil system, creating a healthier, bushier plant.
5. Horizontal Training (The Creeper Hack)
Monstera naturally climb upwards, but if you allow one of the vines to grow horizontally across the pot, something interesting happens. The nodes sitting against the soil begin to sprout upward shoots.
It happens because the plant interprets the change in position as a chance to expand, and it takes advantage by activating more dormant nodes.
The Trick: Don’t always train your Monstera vertically. Gently guide one or two stems sideways across the top of the soil, securing them with small U-pins or soft ties.
As the stem lies horizontally, dormant nodes that are facing upward will begin sprouting. Fill the pot with fresh growth points. Later, you can train these verticals again for height.
6. Partial Root Pruning for a Growth Burst
Trimming the roots of a Monstera can actually encourage the plant to grow even more vigorously. When roots are slightly pruned, the plant responds by sending out fresh feeder roots. These roots are more efficient at taking up water and nutrients, which fuels faster leaf production.
The Trick: The best time to do this is when you’re repotting in spring or summer. Simply take the plant out of its pot, shake off the soil, and cut back only the longest or circling roots. No more than 10–15% of the total root mass.
Once placed back into fresh soil, the plant will quickly start producing new roots. And within weeks, you’ll notice stronger foliage and fresh growth shoots. Here’s a detailed guide on it!
