Rooting Monstera cuttings are yellowing

Question

I occasionally trim my very healthy monstera and root the cuttings. I’ve done this so many times and never had issues. I recently made three cuttings (2-3 leaves per cutting), stuck them in water, and they’ve been yellowing and I presume dying slowing over the past few weeks. Two of the cuttings are growing roots as expected, but I’m afraid the plant won’t survive regardless, if it loses the leaves.

Some leaves look healthier than others, but they’re all showing signs of yellowing. What’s causing this? What did I do wrong?

Answer 1

Rooting cuttings not always yields a 100% success rate. There can be losses due to rot or other conditions that persisted even before the cuttings were taken. In your case I think the problem is related to the fact of winter. Lower light and probably lower humidity conditions are not ideal for propagation. A plant without roots will struggle to keep its leaves, especially if there are multiple of them.

On the other hand loosing all of the leaves is not always a problem with Monstera deliciosa as it can root and put out new leaves even from a bare stem. But given it is winter now, it will take more time compared to a cutting that has leaves.

Such cuttings are often called "wet sticks" and I had luck with them multiple times in the past in case of Monstera deliciosa and other Monsteras as well.

Here is a picture of one: