Aerial roots
Roots growing from stems above the soil are normal on climbers such as monstera and pothos.
What you'll see
- Brown or green cord-like roots grow from the stems, usually at a leaf joint.
- They reach into the air, toward a wall or pole, or down to the soil, and grow long on big plants.
- The plant itself looks healthy, with firm leaves and new growth.
Why it happens
Many tropical climbers grow roots from their stems to grip tree trunks as they climb. Indoors they appear on monstera, pothos and their relatives, and they are part of normal growth.
What to do
- Nothing to treat: aerial roots are a normal part of climbing plants.
- Give climbers a moss or coir pole and guide the roots onto it so the plant can climb.
- Roots that reach the soil can root in, so you can let them grow down into the pot.
Keep it from coming back
- Give climbers bright, indirect light and a support to climb.
Sources
- RHS: How to grow epipremnum
- RHS: Monstera deliciosa
- UF/IFAS EDIS: Monstera growing in the Florida home landscape (HS311)
General guidance, not a diagnosis. For valuable, edible or outdoor crops, check with a local extension service or plant expert. Use any product exactly as its label says, and keep children and pets away while it dries.