🌱 Tips
🌿 Understanding
🌿 In brief
These roots escaping from the stem and reaching out into empty space often arouse curiosity. Rest assured: aerial roots are perfectly normal and a sign of good health. In the vast majority of cases, it is better to keep them—and, if you wish, guide them attractively rather than cut them off.
You may discover them one morning, a little surprised: curious roots emerging from the stem, stretching out into the air and seeming to search for something. Should you be concerned? Cut them off? Tuck them into the pot? These aerial roots, very common in climbing plants, are completely normal—in fact, quite the opposite. Here is what they are, what they do, and how to calmly decide whether to keep them or not.
What is an aerial root?
As their name suggests, these are roots that grow outside the soil, in the open air, directly from the plant's stem. Far from being a defect, they play a very specific role inherited from these plants' way of life in nature.
In their natural habitat, most plants that produce them are climbers: they grow at the foot of trees and climb along trunks in search of light. Aerial roots are their climbing tools. They cling to the bark, anchor the stem against the support, and allow the plant to climb ever higher.
They also have a second role: absorbing moisture and a little nourishment from the surrounding air and whatever they encounter. In the humid atmosphere of a tropical forest, these roots help nourish the plant alongside its soil roots. They are therefore useful organs, not superfluous growths.
🌿 Key takeaway
An aerial root is not a sign of a problem. It is a natural organ for clinging and absorbing, typical of climbing plants, and most often a sign of a vigorous plant seeking to grow.
Why is my plant producing them?
If your plant is developing aerial roots, that is generally good news: it feels well enough to want to climb and spread. Several factors encourage their appearance, all of them rather reassuring.
A thriving plant
Aerial roots appear mainly on vigorous, actively growing plants. Their presence most often indicates a healthy plant that is naturally seeking to develop.
The instinct to climb
For climbing plants, producing these roots is instinctive: they seek support to cling to. A plant growing up along a stake naturally develops more of them.
Good humidity
A humid atmosphere encourages the plant to produce aerial roots, ready to capture moisture from the air. This is common in interiors where tropical plants thrive.
In short, there is nothing alarming about seeing these roots appear: it is the normal behavior of a plant growing in good conditions. Rather than seeing them as a problem to solve, it is better to view them as a sign of a thriving plant expressing its climbing nature.
Should you cut them?
This is the big question, and in most cases the answer is simple: no, you do not need to cut them. An aerial root does not harm the plant, and removing it provides no health benefit. It is primarily a matter of aesthetics and personal preference.
That said, if a root is truly bothering you—too long, poorly positioned, or invasive—you can occasionally cut one without risk, provided you use a clean tool and do not remove many at once. The plant will tolerate it without a problem, but keep in mind that it will probably grow more: that is its nature.
⚠️ Not to be confused
An aerial root is firm, green or brownish, and points outward. If a “root” is soft, translucent, or foul-smelling, it is something else—often a problem with the substrate that should be examined separately.
The best approach is therefore to leave them alone when they are not causing any problems, intervening sparingly only if aesthetics require it. Systematically cutting off all the aerial roots would be a never-ending task and would deprive the plant of one of its natural assets.
What to do with these roots
Rather than cutting them, you can showcase or channel them. Depending on the look you want, several options are available, all respectful of the plant.
Guide them onto a support
The most elegant solution is to install a support, often covered with fiber or moss, and guide the aerial roots onto it. They cling to it, support the climbing plant, and create a beautifully vertical shape. This is the most natural way to support a climbing plant.
Guide them into the pot
Aerial roots close to the substrate can be gently guided toward the pot, where they will eventually take root. Repotting is the ideal time to do this; our repotting guide explains when and how to do it properly.
Let them grow
You do not have to intervene: many people appreciate the wild, graphic look of aerial roots that grow freely. Left as they are in a slightly humid atmosphere, they add to the plant's jungle-like charm.
💡 The little extra
Occasional misting of the aerial roots does them a world of good and keeps them flexible and green, especially indoors with dry air.
Plants concerned
Aerial roots are especially characteristic of tropical climbing plants, which naturally grow up tree trunks. If you own one of them, their appearance is entirely expected.
| Plant | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Monstera | A prolific producer of thick aerial roots, it loves climbing up a support. |
| Climbing Philodendron | It develops numerous roots along its stems and thrives on a support. |
| Pothos | It produces small ones at the nodes, which help it cling to various surfaces. |
| Orchids | Their fleshy green aerial roots are normal and play a role in their life. |
All these plants share the same climbing lifestyle, and their aerial roots are a direct expression of it. Far from being a problem, they are part of their charm and natural function. Understanding them means better supporting your plants — and no longer worrying when you see these curious roots that, in reality, simply want to do their job.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it's not necessary: they don't harm the plant, and you can simply leave them or guide them.
They help the plant cling to a support as it climbs and absorb some moisture and nutrients from the air.
It's normal and a good sign: when healthy, it naturally seeks a support to climb, just as it would in nature.
It isn't essential; regular misting is enough to keep them flexible and green in dry air.
Yes, those near the substrate can be guided toward the pot, where they eventually take root.
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