Clueless, I called up someone with a thumb greener than mine: Erin Marino, the editorial lead at NYC-based shop The Sill and expert on all things plant care, assured me that the root was nothing to worry about. In fact, while aerial roots are most prominent on Monsteras, they actually grow naturally on lots of other plants including pothos, philodendrons, and orchids. Here’s what to know about this funky little growth structure. That would explain why my Monstera—a plant that climbs tropical trees in its native habitat—was starting to grow them. Marino added that in addition to helping plants climb toward life-giving sunlight, these aerial roots also provide the plant with an extra energy source. “These roots are helping the plant absorb more nutrients in its natural habitat,” she explained, by sucking up nutrients and moisture that’s blown around in the wind. Distinguishing between these roots and underground roots that are peeking above the surface (and are a sign your houseplant needs a larger pot) is pretty straightforward: Aerial roots tend to sit farther up on a plant stem, and they look thicker, more mature, and potentially darker than your typical roots. They may also pop up at the end of trailing vines, unlike overgrown ground roots that will just sit on the surface of the soil. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
