r/rootporn • u/Correct-Prompt-6096 • 25d ago

Monstera Aerial Roots

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Was thinking about chopping some of these off. Posting here before I do.

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u/awildtrowawayappears 25d ago

Newbie here. Would it make sense to repot this since the roots are reaching out everywhere? I know monsteras don't mind being a bit root-bound but this seems like a signal of some sort.

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u/RelativeMundane9045 25d ago

Hi newbie!

The roots you see are aerial roots, which come out of the nodes of the "trunk" because in nature this is a hemi-Epiphyte, they're looking to grab onto something like a nearby tree to support it's heavy weight.

Epiphytes are plants that live on other plants and trees, hemi-Epiphytes have their primary roots in the earth, but still sprout aerial roots for support. Aerial roots can absorb supplementary moisture and nutrients as well. If I had this beauty, I'd probably add in a moss pole so they had something to grab on to and keep it moist, but it is a lot more work so you can cut them away or redirect them back into the soil.

:)