Monstera Deliciosa plants, also known as the Swiss cheese plants, are beautiful and easy to care for.
However, they can grow quickly and take over your space if you don’t regularly prune them back.
Learning how to prune Monstera Deliciosa effectively is essential to manage their size, encourage healthy growth, and maintain their unique aesthetic. Pruning not only helps to keep these plants within bounds but also stimulates new growth, making your Monstera fuller and more vibrant.
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to add support and prune back overgrown Monstera Deliciosa plants so they stay healthy and look their best.
Table of Contents
Understanding Monstera Deliciosa Plants
Characteristics of Monstera Deliciosa Plants
Monstera Deliciosa plants, often referred to as Swiss cheese plants, are recognized for their distinctive foliage which matures to develop ridges and holes. These aerophilous features are not only visually appealing but functionally efficient for the plant’s growth in its natural habitat.
As a hearty species, Monstera Deliciosa plants can become quite large over time. Learning the proper techniques on how to prune Monstera Deliciosa allows gardeners to control their expansion, encourage healthier foliage, and enhance the plant’s overall appearance, ensuring that it remains a stunning focal point in any room.
Importance of Pruning and Support
Pruning overgrown Monstera Deliciosa plants is essential for controlling their size and shape. When pruning, I use sharp pruners to cut stems at an angle, which allows for easier insertion into the soil, and clean them with rubbing alcohol to maintain the plant’s health.
Supporting stems with bamboo sticks is another technique I use to manage plant spread. By raising selected stems, Monstera Deliciosa plants receive guidance for upright growth, which also helps to consolidate their spread.
This process not only facilitates a more compact growth pattern but also contributes to the plant’s overall stability within its environment.
By applying these practices, Monstera Deliciosa plants can be cultivated to remain both vibrant and proportionate, enhancing their presence in any indoor space without overwhelming it. Additionally, pruning provides an opportunity to propagate new plants.
Best time to prune Monstera Deliciosa plants
- Late winter or early spring: pruning in late winter or early spring, just before the start of the growing season, is ideal. This timing allows the plant to heal quickly and put its energy into new growth.
- Active growing season: if necessary, light pruning can be done during the growing season (spring and summer) to remove any dead or yellowing leaves and to shape the plant.
Preparing to prune and support Monstera Deliciosa plants
Materials Needed
- Bamboo sticks: I cut them to any necessary length for supporting the stems.
- Raffia: I use this for attaching the stem to the bamboo stick securely without tightening it too much.
- Sharp pruners: Utilized for cutting Bamboo sticks at an angle for easy insertion in the soil.
- Sharp scissors: Needed to cut the raffia and prune Monstera Deliciosa leaves.
- Rubbing alcohol: For cleaning tools before and after pruning to prevent the spread of disease.
How to support Monstera Deliciosa stems
1. Mark the stems for support
I start by examining my Monstera Deliciosa plant to determine which stems require elevation, a crucial step in understanding how to prune Monstera Deliciosa effectively. I mark the selected stems with raffia for easier identification during the process.
2. Insert Bamboo sticks
When looking to support the growth of my Monstera Deliciosa plants, I use bamboo sticks, as they can be customized to any length needed. To insert the bamboo stick, I first cut each stem at an angle with sharp pruners, which allows for easy insertion into the soil. I make sure to insert the stick deep into the soil to provide a stable base for the stem.
3. Tie securely with raffia
To elevate and secure the stems, I employ the technique of fastening the stems to the sticks using raffia. It is essential to perform this action gently to prevent any damage to the plant.
4. Prune back the stick
After securing the stem, I prune back the extra length of the bamboo stick so it will not protrude excessively.
How to prune overgrown Monstera Deliciosa plant
Assess the stems for pruning
When deciding on stems for pruning, I focus on those that are significantly longer or disrupt the balance and symmetry of the plant.
- Steps for assessment:
- Observe the overall shape and size of the Monstera Deliciosa.
- Identify overgrown or disproportionately large stems.
- Look for dead, damaged, or diseased leaves, or unwanted vines.
Removal of Unwanted Growth
To begin removing unwanted growth, I untangle stems for better access. I then prune the longest stems to make the plant more proportional and to ensure it doesn’t obstruct any areas.
- Pruning Tools:
- Pruners (for stems and bamboo sticks)
- Sharp scissors (for raffia and small adjustments)
- Pruning Steps:
1. Clean tools with rubbing alcohol. All pruning tools must be sharp and cleaned with rubbing alcohol prior to use.
2. When pruning, always cut just above a node. This is where new leaves will grow.
- Tackle one stem at a time, focusing on size reduction and maintaining the plant’s aesthetics.
- If you’re not sure where to cut, be on the side of caution, and cut less. You can always cut more later if needed.
- After pruning, stake up stems if necessary to improve the plant’s appearance.
Pruning doesn’t just help control the size and shape of your Monstera Deliciosa plant; it also encourages the plant to develop more of its characteristic fenestrations (the holes and splits in the leaves) by allowing more light to reach the interior of the plant.
Remember, moderation is key—too much pruning at once can stress the plant. Aim to remove no more than 25-30% of the plant’s total foliage in a single pruning session.
After pruning and elevating stems, I assess the shape of the plant to see if additional adjustments are necessary.
If there are any cuttings from pruning, these can be placed in water until roots develop and then potted in soil.
Cleaning the tools after the process is essential to prepare for the next use.
I believe these steps can significantly improve the management of your Monstera Deliciosa plants, making them a stunning addition to any space.
Keep nurturing your green friends, and they will continue to beautify your surroundings. With a little care and attention, your Monstera Deliciosa plant will thrive for years to come!
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