Hello! I am so glad I found this board. I have this monstera deliciosa that I've had for several years. I live in Omaha, NE and it's starting to get chilly so I'm trying to get my plants in their best shape so they're all ready for the winter. I have this monstera I've been growing for several years and it's gotten big for my little apartment. Unfortunately it's mostly growing out and not up. I bought moss poles and greening pins months and tried to get her to grow upwards. Unfortunately, my plant began to send these air roots out like crazy - none into the moss poles. I would really like to encourage upwards growth. I would also like any tips you guys have about trimming back the leaves - I always have such a hard time trimming my plants. (I'm too emotionally attached to each and every leaf, haha.)

Welcome. I had relatives in Omaha and spent a summer visiting my Dad at SAC headquarters. Are you more attached to the plant or each leaf? Think plant. Do what is best for the plant. Plants grow towards the light. Want it to grow "up?" This plant needs more light. LED plant lights are very efficient these days. I have lots of them. This is a sturdy plant that will withstand a lot of trimming. Make it look better. The air roots are not necessary for it's success, trim them if needed. Gene

This is a naturally vining plant that resists growing upright. You can get it to attach to moss poles but only if the moss is kept constantly damp and the stem nodes are held in place against the damp moss at all times. Frankly, that is very difficult to do indoors. In addition, eventually, the vines will outgrow your moss poles and start to bend downward again.

I think the best solution is to prune. Think of pruning as being like getting a haircut, not as amputation or worse! Like haircuts, pruning has no effect on overall health. It simply changes its appearance.

Any leaf that is dying or in the way can be cut off with no harm. Likewise, when stems get too long, just cut them back. New growth will then emerge starting at the point where you make the pruning cut and continue growing from there.

Pruning allows you to keep the plant at the size and shape that you prefer, so go for it!

I have a Monstera that I just pruned and removed moss poles because they just weren't working. I've had this one for 8 years from a 6" pot. I pruned her - yes, this was scary - wove her through an obelisk. The first pic is when I finished pruning- she didn't seem to be too thrilled, but the. Again she was taking over the exercise room, so she wasn't used to being upright so to speak. A couple weeks after though and she's sprouting new leaves left and right. She continues to push new growth, so I'm convinced - best haircut ever!😁 Good luck!!

Cut it, and root the cuttings in water, then repot. See previous response here:

The thread "Leggy Monstera" in Houseplants forum

to reiterate, you must have at least one leaf STILL connected to a section of vine. YOu don't need an air root- and if you have one that's too big or long to fit nicely in a container, go ahead and cut that back too- I tend not to remove all of the air root from a piece I intend to root- but I usually only leave 4-6"

This is the most durable houseplant ever when it comes to cuttings and I've had pieces that lived in a 2qt mason jar on my diningroon table 10 ft from any window with nothing but water for 6 months-

I hate to say it but it is still one sorry looking plant. But it will survive.

@gasrocks she doesn't look like that anymore 😂 she was a sorry sight for sure, but definitely improving now!

I made you a thread.
You reminded me to cut back my own 3rd generation potted monstera that came from clippings from my original plants daughters- so I photographed the process hoping to give you a little confidence.
Plenty of bad advice online. I really struggled to take this advice the first time I heard it. I didn't cut the great grandma until I absolutely had to. Now that I've done it 12-15 times and everyone I know has at least one monstera from my cuttings - I'll show you how its done.

The thread "Pics- how I cut/root my monstera when it gets leggy" in Houseplants forum

Pruning is scary until you have done it and see that it works!

Moss poles rarely work because the moss has to be kept damp at all times and the stem nodes have to be in contact with the damp moss at all times. That is very hard to accomplish indoors.