Looking to fill your home with more lush greenery without spending a dime at the garden center? You’re in luck! You can easily grow brand-new Swiss Cheese Plants using just a single leaf or a stem cutting. Here is my go-to guide on how to propagate your Monstera like a pro.
Step-by-Step: From Leaf Cutting to New Plant
A mature Monstera won’t mind at all if you “sacrifice” one of its gorgeous leaves to start a new plant baby. If you’re planning to propagate via a tip cutting, aim to do it in the spring. This is the start of the growing season, which means the plant is naturally primed to sprout roots and grow fast. To get the best results, just follow these steps:
- Snip off a leaf including the stem and at least one aerial root.
- Let the cut end air-dry for at least 30 minutes to “callus” over.
- While you wait, prep a large pot with a mix of peat and sand, seed-starting mix, or coconut coir.
- Plant the cutting (aerial roots and all) into the soil and give it a good drink.
- To create a mini-greenhouse, stick two wooden stakes into the soil on either side of the cutting and drape a clear plastic bag over the top.
This setup creates a warm, humid microclimate that encourages those roots to take hold. Just be sure to lift the bag once a day to let in some fresh air and prevent any mold from moving in.
Growing a Whole Family of Monsteras at Once
If you want to grow a whole squad of little Monsteras at the same time, stem cuttings are the way to go. For this, you’ll need a leafless, non-woody section of the stem that has several “sleeping eyes.” These are dormant buds that look like small, round bumps on the stem. Here’s how to turn one stem into many plants:
- Cut off a section of the stem that has several dormant eyes.
- Slice that stem into smaller pieces, making sure each piece has at least one eye.
- Prepare several small pots with a light seed-starting mix and mist the soil with filtered or rain water.
- Lay each piece horizontally on the soil and press it down gently.
- Make sure the “eye” is facing upward!
- Cover each pot with a plastic dome or bag and place them in a warm spot with bright, indirect light.
- Pro tip: Water from the bottom by letting the pots sit in a tray of soft water for a few minutes.
Eventually, roots and leaves will sprout from each of those little bumps. Propagating from stem pieces takes a bit longer than using a full leaf cutting, but it’s incredibly rewarding. Once the roots have filled the starter pot, your new Monstera is ready for its permanent home!
