Sproutly Plant Care Team
Practical indoor-plant guidance for home growers. Pages are reviewed when updated and focus on clear diagnosis, safer care habits, and realistic household conditions.
Plant Glossary
What Are Aerial Roots?
Last Updated: June 2026 - Roots & Storage
Definition
Aerial roots are roots that grow from stems above the soil instead of from the underground root system.
Quick Facts
| Plant term | Aerial Roots |
| Category | Roots & Storage |
| Common example | Monstera deliciosa often produces thick brown aerial roots from mature stems. |
| Care takeaway | Do not cut aerial roots unless they are dead, damaged, or truly in the way. |
Why It Matters
Aerial roots help climbing plants attach to surfaces, absorb moisture from humid air, and anchor themselves. On many houseplants, they are normal and useful rather than a problem to remove.
How to Identify It
- ->Look for roots emerging from the stem above the soil line.
- ->On monstera, aerial roots are often brown, thick, and cord-like.
- ->On pothos and philodendron, they may start as small brown nubs at each node.
Care Notes
- ->Do not cut aerial roots unless they are dead, damaged, or truly in the way.
- ->Guide monstera and pothos aerial roots toward a moss pole, plank, or the potting mix.
- ->Aerial roots can speed up propagation when included with a node.
Examples
Monstera deliciosa often produces thick brown aerial roots from mature stems.
Pothos and philodendron make small root nubs that grip bark, moss poles, or walls.
Many orchids grow silvery aerial roots that absorb water and light.
Aerial Roots vs. Soil Roots
Both are roots, but they develop in different places and often serve different jobs.
| Root Type | Where It Grows | Main Job |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial root | From stems above soil | Anchoring, climbing, moisture uptake, propagation help |
| Soil root | Inside the potting mix | Water and nutrient uptake, plant stability |
| Rotten root | Usually in wet, low-oxygen soil | No useful job; remove if mushy or dead |
Related Glossary Terms
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
You can guide aerial roots into the potting mix or a moss pole, but you do not have to bury every one. They are normal on climbing plants.
You can trim dead or inconvenient aerial roots with clean scissors, but leaving healthy aerial roots gives the plant more support and propagation options.
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