Hi Rebecca, Monstera is an Aroid and you might have had some responses had you posted this on the Aroids forum. I get it though regarding new growers that don't know very much about their plants, everyone has to start somewhere and ask those initial questions.

Given your monstera's multiple growths, I think it's probably from tissue culture which is a method for mass-producing quality plants cheaply. Your plant looks like it has three leads growing from a central point and I would not try to separate them since they're still fairly small. When they grow out a bit more you can take cuttings close to the center if the plants have plenty of aerial roots.. I also wouldn't propagate your plant right now with winter still with us, better to wait for late spring unless you're in a location where winters are very warm.

It's too early to tell which deliciosa you have, there are two forms being sold these days. One is the giant species which grows extremely slowly but eventually develops leaves to 3 feet across, the other is a variety of it called deliciosa 'Borsigiana'. This is much smaller and faster growing than the big species with leaves to a foot or perhaps 18 inches across. It's more of a running vine with inches between petioles (leaf stem) on the main stem, whereas the species packs petioles very close together on the stem.

Post again if you have more questions,

Russ

Thank you so much for your comment and knowledge! I had forgotten I posted this..!

I think mine perhaps is the slower-growing monstera because it’s taken a long time to get to where it is now and the petioles are packed very tightly along the stem and is only now showing signs of wanting to vine.

I also see enormously huge monsteras growing outside here in people’s gardens (it’s a hot and humid island) with really mature leaves with so many holes in them. They would be that size, perhaps 3 feet across.. they’re stunning!

I will listen to your words and leave any propagating for later. I cut a few straggly leaves off the other day that we’re bent and hanging very low and I feel it helped the look of the plant. :)

thanks again!

Rebecca

Rebecca, your island sounds like a great place to grow your monstera,, they like 'hot and humid' like other tropicals.

All the best.

Russ

Why is your being punished by being kept indoors? :P

If you move it outdoors, and keep it well watered, yours would grow like a weed, too.

I initially used a wooden stake to hold mine up, but my Monstera snapped it like a twig. So now I went with a solid metal bar that's only 1/4th of an inch thick, but strong and rigid enough to contain my plant. Mine tried to spread out just like yours is doing. It's just in their nature to do so because they can't support themselves. Rather than using a stake for each growth, I simply inserted my stake down the center of my plant and tied the individual vines to it, so that they grow upwards rather than outwards.

Good advise, Photo. Based on all those small roots showing at the top of the potting mix, your monstera needs repotting as soon as possible. You'll probably see a burst of growth shortly afterwards. I would plant it a little lower in the new pot so you can cover those roots with an inch or so of mix. You're going to have a real monster on your hands this summer.

Russ

It does that, regardless. When I repotted it, it completely filled in the whole entire pot with roots. Literally, every square inch of space was packed with them. I hacked off 75% of them and it simply grew them all back. However, I've also noticed that once it's filled in the whole pot, those potted roots stop growing. They don't just keep on growing and crowding themselves out. Only the aerial roots grow out in search of more space. As you can see happening in my photo. Just as long as I give my monster that which it needs, it does just fine like this and keeps on growing like a weed. In other words, this plant soaks up water like a sponge, haha. I do plan on eventually repotting it once it gets too big, but for now, I'm leaving it alone.

Thanks guys for your answers!

Photo Synthesis, I do plan on either putting this one outside when it’s too big and propagating a smaller cutting but for now I like it in my living room too much.. and I only have a small patio and I’m afraid it would fill in no time. But that’s a good idea about the stake in the centre to force it up straight.. I’ve seen mine growing straighter upwards recently too anyway because it’s been getting a lot more light now the winter rains are over but I know the vines will eventually flop out and spread so I can start with that centre stake first..

Good find... I've never seen those rubber ties, unfortunately I don't think they're widely available. Maybe they could be found by brand name and mail ordered. I've used the green horticultural tie-tape when I could find it, also used black electrical tape and strips cut from old t-shirts in past decades. Strips from old nylon stockings used to be the thing, telling my age here.

Yes, your monstera is being held back big time by underpotting, I'm sure it would be twice it's size if it had been potted up regularly. It's waiting to bust out of there and take over your house and yard!

Russ

It’s a lovely plant! Bushier and fuller than mine.. I feel mine will vine more because the stalks of the leaves are so long.. i think I will put it outside a bit more, see what happens.. but not in summer. Summer here scorches everything..

I also think I’ve seen these ties or like them in the garden department of the hardware store. Good that they’re flexible and adjustable for unruly Monsteras..

Many thanks again!

Rebecca, no full sun for your monstera but it would grow beautifully under a shade tree or on a covered porch in the summer. It is native to Mexico and countries south, so your sun and heat would be a welcome environment.

Russ

The Easy Flex Locking Tie is readily available. Shipped fee to your doorstep. The only problem is you have to buy 100 foot of the stuff.