Monstera deliciosa, also known as Swiss cheese plant, is a species of flowering plant native to the rainforests of southern Mexico and southern Panama. It is an evergreen vine with thick and strong aerial roots.
The plant grows well in warmer regions. yes it is published outfilters morning sunlight and afternoon shade.
If so, it can also be grown indoors in cooler regions. pretty bright. If there is not enough light indoors, the plant tends not to flower.
The plant needs a rich, fresh dressing floor annual, but it will be contained for several years in a row, even if it is root-bound. It is at the beginning of spring, before the appearance of the new leaves, that repot the Monstera for the best result.
But does a monstera have invasive roots? We will explore this in the rest of this article.
Does a Monstera have invasive roots?
Monstera deliciosa does not have large, invasive roots. Indeed, the aerial roots form a support system for the vine during its growth. They grow along the ground to reach nutrients and water. It also gives stability to the plant.
In areas with high rainfall and temperate or subtropical climates, the plant can be expected to grow very quickly. With light, organic-rich soil, it can reach a maximum height of 20 feet.
Monstera grows like a climber if it has vertical support. This would mean clinging to tropical trees and walls as it grows. Non-tropical trees cannot support the weight of the plant and are damaged accordingly.
Depending on how big you want your monstera to grow, it can be grown outdoors if you have a large outdoor space and live in a warm subtropical area. Or it can be grown in a pot.
If you want your monstera to grow to its full size, it’s best not to grow it in a pot. Growing a monstera in a flower pot keeps it under control and makes it easier to manage the roots of the plant.
Also, if the roots grow too long and start sticking out of the drainage holes in the pot, they can be cut off without harming the plant.
You may want to consider pruning the main stem of Monstera once it gets too tall to support. And you can root the cut stem to create a new plant.
You may also be interested in: How to Care for a Monstera
Will a Monstera damage the walls?
As noted above, the monstera grows as a climber on vertical supports. A kind of vertical support on which a monstera can grow are the walls. But will they damage the walls or not – this is the main factor here.
To answer the big question, a monstera damages walls. The reason for this is that as it grows, it rubs against the surrounding walls and leaves marks.
But this only happens when the biggest branches touch the walls. They can damage paintwork and even get into crevices under shelves or other furniture if they roam freely.
On the other hand, the larger leaves are light and do not mark the walls like the stems. Even if they come into contact with the walls, don’t worry.
The problem arises when the plant thinks the wall is a tree and decides to climb it by clinging to it with aerial roots.
You can cut or separate the roots from the wall if you want to avoid damage. Any petiole can be size from where it joins the main stem without damaging the plant.
You can also continue to prune the vines so they don’t come into contact with the surrounding walls.
How to prevent a Monstera from becoming invasive?
Your monstera can be prevented from becoming invasive depending on whether it is grown in a container or in the ground. The growth of the plant is not affected by where it is grown.
Growing your monstera in a pot is helpful in preventing the roots from becoming overgrown. They can make a perfect houseplant if given the right conditions to grow.
These conditions include their placement in a position that receives bright filtered sunlight. Pay attention how much water a monstera is also important. Overwatering will cause the leaves to turn brown or black.
The stem of a monstera growing in a pot can simply be cut to prevent the plant from getting too big. Cutting the stem does not harm the plant or hinder their growth.
Preferably a piece of stem with a leaf underneath node it must be cut. Also try to find a lump with an aerial root. It helps cut root faster.
Cut stem pieces can be placed outside in a pot of water or potting soil. Keep the soil moist for the first few weeks until the cutting takes root.
A post bracket can also be added to the planters. The climber will grow up to the pole support. This is another very useful way to prevent monstera from becoming invasive. This keeps the root system in the pot as small as the width of the leaf (or smaller).
Vertical supports help the plant grow upwards instead of stretching too far horizontally. Horizontal spreading of the plant takes up a lot of space and is more difficult to manage. This results in the roots becoming more invasive.
The pot size can be gradually increased every few years. Or you can prune the plant to keep it happy in the same size pot.
It is essential to change the soil every 2 years, even if you do not increase the size of the pot. Excess can be shaken off and fresh soil added to replace nutrients and prevent soil compaction.
You can also use Monstera’s natural inclination to grow towards the light to make it grow upwards.
If you notice the new leaves stretching upwards light source of light, you can turn the plant so that the new leaves are on the side of the light source.
As the leaves change direction, they grow towards the center of the pot and help balance it.
final thoughts
A monstera is a fairly simple plant. It grows in subtropical climatic zones with high rainfall. It can grow indoors and outdoors, but it depends on where you live.
The aerial roots and stem of the plant can be both invasive and damaging to walls. The large leaves of the plant are non-invasive and in no way damage the walls.
Both of these problems can be avoided with a few simple steps. These include growing your monstera in a pot, pruning the plant often, and training it to grow on a support structure like a moss pole, coconut pole, or trellis.