From the plant's perspective, aerial roots are not a design flaw or a random occurrence; they are a vital and highly specialized organ crucial for survival in its natural habitat. In the wild, Monstera deliciosa is a climbing hemiepiphyte. It begins life on the forest floor and, driven by the need to reach brighter sunlight, uses its aerial roots to anchor itself to tall trees, climbing upwards towards the canopy. These roots are multifunctional. Primarily, they act as grappling hooks, securing the vine to its support structure (a tree trunk or moss pole) to provide stability against wind and its own increasing weight. Secondly, they serve as supplemental absorptive organs. In the humid jungle air, these roots can absorb moisture and dissolved nutrients, providing the plant with additional resources beyond what its terrestrial roots in the soil can gather.
Cutting an aerial root is, from the Monstera's point of view, a wounding event. The plant will initiate a healing process to seal off the cut end, much like it would for a pruned stem. This process requires energy and resources that would otherwise be directed towards growth or leaf production. While a mature, healthy Monstera can typically withstand the removal of an aerial root without fatal consequences, it is still a loss of a functional organ. The plant loses a potential anchor point and a potential source of hydration and nutrition. If multiple aerial roots are removed at once, it can place significant stress on the plant, potentially stunting its growth or making it less stable.
Instead of cutting, the plant would greatly benefit from having its aerial roots managed in a way that supports its natural instincts. The most beneficial alternative is to train the aerial roots back towards the soil. Gently guide the root and insert its tip into the pot's soil. Over time, the root will adapt and begin to function as a terrestrial root, enhancing the plant's root system and its ability to uptake water and nutrients. This mimics what often happens in nature when a long aerial root finally reaches the fertile forest floor. If the root is too stiff or long to bend into the pot, another excellent option is to provide a support structure like a moss pole. You can gently attach the aerial roots to the pole. Keeping the moss pole consistently moist will encourage the roots to latch on and penetrate it, allowing them to absorb moisture exactly as nature intended, promoting larger, healthier leaf growth.
There are rare circumstances where cutting an aerial root may be the least detrimental option for the plant's overall health. If an aerial root has been damaged—perhaps it was accidentally broken, is rotting, or has become dry, brittle, and entirely non-functional—it is acceptable to remove it. A damaged root can be an entry point for pathogens like bacteria or fungi. Removing it cleanly with a sterilized blade just above the damage can prevent the spread of decay to the main stem, protecting the plant from a more serious infection. However, this should be done judiciously and only on the clearly affected root, not on healthy, viable ones.
