Monsteras are famous for their giant, hole-filled leaves and wild, jungle-like vibes.
They can grow fast, stretch tall, and even get a little unruly if left alone too long.
That’s where trimming comes in.
Whether your Monstera is getting too big, has yellowing leaves, or just looks a little chaotic, trimming can bring back shape, energy, and health.
But the idea of cutting your plant might feel scary at first.
What if you snip the wrong spot?
What if you hurt it?
Here’s the good news—Monsteras actually love a good trim.
When done right, pruning encourages new growth, prevents disease, and helps the plant grow fuller and stronger.
This guide will show you exactly how to trim your Monstera without causing harm.
By the end, you’ll feel confident, calm, and totally in control of your jungle beauty.
Let’s get snipping.
Know Why You’re Trimming Before You Start
Before you reach for the scissors, take a moment to figure out why you’re trimming your Monstera in the first place.
Not all cuts are the same—and understanding your “why” will help you know where and how to prune.
Is your Monstera too big for the space?
You might want to shorten a few vines.
Do you see yellow or damaged leaves?
You’ll be removing dead weight to make room for healthy growth.
Want a bushier plant?
Strategic cuts can encourage branching and fullness.
Or maybe you’re trimming to take cuttings for propagation.
Each goal comes with its own trimming style, so always know your reason.
This helps prevent over-pruning and keeps your plant looking balanced.
Trimming with purpose is way better than randomly hacking away.
Your Monstera will thank you with beautiful, controlled growth.
Grab the Right Tools—Clean and Sharp Is Key
Trimming your Monstera isn’t something to do with kitchen scissors or a rusty old clipper from the shed.
You want clean, sharp tools that will make smooth cuts.
Dull or dirty blades can crush stems, introduce bacteria, or cause infection—and that’s exactly what you’re trying to avoid.
The best tool?
A pair of sterilized pruning shears or sharp scissors.
Before you start, clean the blades with rubbing alcohol or warm soapy water.
You don’t want to accidentally pass bacteria or fungus from one plant to another.
If you’re planning to take several cuttings, keep your cloth or alcohol nearby so you can wipe between snips.
Clean tools make clean cuts, and clean cuts heal faster.
It’s a simple step that makes a huge difference.
Your plant’s health starts with the right tools.
Look for the Nodes—That’s Where the Magic Happens
When trimming a Monstera, you need to know where to cut—and the most important spot to understand is the node.
Nodes are little bumps or lines along the stem where leaves and aerial roots grow.
If you’re trimming to shape the plant or encourage new growth, cut just above a node.
That’s where the plant will push out a new leaf or branch.
If you’re taking a cutting to propagate, make sure the piece includes at least one node—and ideally an aerial root, too.
No node, no new growth.
That’s a golden rule for Monstera cuttings.
The more you study your plant, the easier it becomes to spot the nodes.
They’re usually near the base of the leaf stem, where it connects to the main vine.
Think of them as growth hubs—full of potential just waiting to be activated.
Cut in the right place, and your plant will come back stronger than ever.
Start With the Ugly Leaves—They’ve Got to Go
If your Monstera has yellowing, browning, or damaged leaves, those are the first ones to trim.
These leaves aren’t helping the plant anymore.
In fact, they’re draining energy that could be used to grow new, healthy leaves.
Follow the leaf stem (called a petiole) down to the base, and snip it cleanly near the main stem.
You’ll usually see an instant improvement in the plant’s appearance.
Don’t worry if you’re removing a lot of old leaves.
Monsteras can drop older leaves as they grow, especially the ones at the bottom.
It’s natural.
Cutting them off just speeds up the cleanup.
And once those damaged leaves are gone, your Monstera can focus on creating fresher, brighter ones.
Out with the old, in with the bold.
Shape It Up—How to Trim for Size and Style
Is your Monstera starting to take over the room?
Vines reaching across furniture?
Leaves blocking light?
If so, it’s time to shape things up.
First, take a step back and look at the whole plant.
What direction is it growing?
What areas look too full or too empty?
Now, choose a few stems that are getting too long or out of balance, and trim them just above a node.
This encourages branching and stops the plant from stretching too far.
Don’t cut all the growth off one side—spread out your trimming so the shape stays even.
You can also guide your Monstera by tying it gently to a moss pole or trellis after you trim.
This shows it where you want it to grow.
Think of pruning like giving your Monstera a stylish haircut—it should still look natural, just a little more polished.
Don’t Go Overboard—Less Is More
When you first start trimming, it can be tempting to keep cutting and cutting.
But pause.
Monsteras are strong, but they still need time to recover between trims.
Try not to remove more than 20–30% of the plant at one time.
Taking too much off can shock the plant and slow its growth.
If your Monstera needs a big makeover, break it into stages.
Trim a bit one week, let it recover, then trim more later.
This slow-and-steady approach is safer and gives the plant time to adjust.
Watch how it responds before making your next move.
Your Monstera will reward your patience with healthy, steady growth.
Trimming isn’t a race—it’s a process.
Save Those Cuttings—You Can Grow a New Plant
One of the best parts of trimming a Monstera?
You get to grow more Monsteras!
If you’ve trimmed a healthy stem with at least one node, you can pop it into water or soil and start a new plant.
To root in water, place the cutting in a jar with clean water, and set it in bright, indirect light.
Change the water every few days.
In a few weeks, you’ll see roots forming.
To root in soil, plant the cutting directly in moist potting mix with good drainage.
Keep the soil damp, but not soggy.
Use a clear plastic bag to create a mini greenhouse and trap humidity.
Once the roots are strong and new growth appears, you’ve got yourself a brand-new Monstera.
Trimming turns one plant into two—or three, or four.
It’s like the gift that keeps on giving.
Watch for New Growth—It Means You Did It Right
After trimming, give your Monstera a little time to bounce back.
You might see new leaves unfurl within a few weeks—or even sooner if the plant is already in active growth mode.
That’s a good sign.
It means your cuts were clean, your plant is healthy, and your timing was right.
Watch closely for new shoots growing from the node below your cut.
That’s where the magic happens.
You may even notice your plant looking fuller and more balanced than before.
If nothing happens right away, don’t panic.
Monsteras sometimes take a little longer to respond, especially if it’s winter or if the plant was stressed before trimming.
Just keep caring for it like usual—light, water, and love.
Growth will come.
And when it does, you’ll know your trim was a success.
When’s the Best Time to Trim a Monstera?
Monsteras can technically be trimmed any time of year, but spring and early summer are ideal.
That’s when the plant is in full growth mode and has the energy to bounce back quickly.
If you trim in winter, growth may be slower and the plant may not recover as fast.
So unless it’s absolutely necessary—like removing a diseased leaf—try to hold off until the warmer months.
Timing matters because your plant works with the seasons.
It’s like giving a haircut before a big event instead of during hibernation.
Let your Monstera do what it does best—grow—and support it at the right moment.
Good timing makes trimming more effective and less stressful for the plant.
Keep It Clean—Post-Trim Care Is Important
After you’ve trimmed your Monstera, don’t just walk away and hope for the best.
Post-trim care matters.
Make sure your plant has bright, indirect light.
Avoid direct sun while it’s healing.
Keep watering as usual, but don’t overdo it—wet soil and open cuts can invite rot.
If you’re using a moss pole, now’s a great time to train new stems onto it.
You can also wipe the remaining leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust and keep them breathing easy.
And keep an eye on the spots where you made your cuts.
They should dry and seal within a few days.
If you see any signs of mold or mushiness, double-check your watering and humidity levels.
Clean cuts and clean care go hand-in-hand.
A little attention goes a long way.
Final Thoughts
Trimming a Monstera might seem intimidating at first—but it’s one of the best things you can do for the health and beauty of your plant.
It helps remove old leaves, encourages new growth, controls size, and even gives you the chance to grow more Monsteras.
The key is to trim with purpose, use clean tools, and cut in the right places.
Go slow, keep things balanced, and always watch how your plant responds.
Your Monstera will show you if it’s happy—and when it is, it will reward you with fresh leaves, fuller growth, and that iconic tropical look everyone loves.
So go ahead.
Give your Monstera the trim it deserves.
It’s not just a plant—it’s a living masterpiece.
And now, you’ve got the skills to shape it with care.