You can grow Thai Constellation in water for short-term propagation, and it works quite well for rooting cuttings. But keeping this plant in water long-term has serious limitations. Water rooting is a great starting point, not a permanent home. Plan to move your cutting to soil once it develops a healthy root system.
I've rooted Thai Constellation cuttings in both water and sphagnum moss, and the results taught me a lot. My water-rooted cutting pushed out visible roots in about 10 days, which felt fast and exciting. The moss-rooted cutting took closer to three weeks but grew thicker, sturdier roots. When I moved both to soil, the water-rooted plant struggled for almost a month while its roots adapted. The moss-rooted cutting barely skipped a beat. If you try water propagation Monstera style, know that the move to soil takes patience.
Water roots and soil roots are built different. Roots that grow in water develop thin, fragile structures designed to absorb nutrients from liquid. Soil roots are thicker and tougher because they need to push through dense material and anchor the plant in place. When you move a water-rooted cutting to soil, those delicate roots often die back while new soil-adapted roots grow in. This adjustment period stresses the plant and can cause leaf yellowing or drooping for several weeks.
Long-term water culture creates other problems too. Still water breeds bacteria that attack roots and cause rot. Your plant also misses out on helpful fungi and bacteria that live in healthy soil. These tiny helpers boost nutrient uptake and fight off disease. Root growth for cuttings takes 2 to 4 weeks in water. Move to soil once roots reach 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long.
If you're curious about Thai Constellation hydroponics, try a LECA setup. LECA clay balls give roots physical support that plain water can't. The wicking action keeps moisture steady without drowning your plant. You'll need to add liquid nutrients to the water and flush the system each month. This works better than plain water long-term. But it still needs more attention than a good soil mix.
If you're going the water rooting route, follow these tips for the best results. Change the water every 3 to 4 days to keep bacteria levels low and oxygen levels high. Use filtered water at room temperature since cold water shocks the cutting and chlorine can damage new root growth. Once you see roots forming, add a tiny drop of liquid fertilizer to the water to support growth. Aim to move your cutting into soil within 4 to 6 weeks of the first roots showing up. The longer you wait past this window, the harder the transition becomes. A clear glass jar lets you watch root progress without disturbing the cutting.
Read the full article: Thai Constellation Monstera Guide
