How to prune a Monstera

How to prune a Monstera

1. 01

   Choose what to remove

   Before pruning, wear gloves, avoid sap on skin and eyes, wash your hands, and keep cut material away from pets. Prune the long stem or leaf-bearing growth that is outgrowing its support. Make shaping cuts at a node or near a leaf bud, to bring an oversized vine back under control.

   Pruning controls size and shape. It will not force new branching, and it will not make the plant a naturally smaller one.

2. 02

   Prune at the right time

   A simple trim can be made at any time, but shaping is best done in spring or summer while the plant is growing. There is no single best month indoors.

3. 03

   Make one clean cut

   For a length or shape cut, cut at a node or near a leaf bud. Follow with stable support and warm indoor conditions with bright, indirect light. A cut end may be used as a stem cutting.

4. 04

   When pruning will not help

   Monstera deliciosa can become very large, so a cut may be a size decision rather than symptom treatment. Keep the advice on this species and do not transfer it to Monstera adansonii or an unidentified variegated plant.

5. 05

   Care for the plant after pruning

   After pruning, keep the remaining plant supported in a stable, warm position with bright, indirect light and continue container care with a mix that stays evenly damp but well drained. Reassess growth before making repeated cuts.