--- title: "6 years ago I bought a 1 gallon monstera that was labeled as…" description: "6 years ago I bought a 1 gallon monstera that was labeled as \"foliage\" at home depot. For the first year it was a house plant, but then while we were doing…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/UeI834LBSHCioL8MwLcQxA/WbMUXdKeVH10nAt1QZv2Io" community: "Monstera Maniacs" author: "Petals n pothos" published: "2025-02-25T21:59:28.395327Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/i6aXzoxoBnTuyC6Sydns1gUT3KfJi0psaQeQnu_qUYk/JLs90_G4TUqk985orLaAZQ.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Monstera Maniacs](https://getplanta.com/community/UeI834LBSHCioL8MwLcQxA.md) # 6 years ago I bought a 1 gallon monstera that was labeled as… _Posted by Petals n pothos on 2025-02-25_ 6 years ago I bought a 1 gallon monstera that was labeled as "foliage" at home depot. For the first year it was a house plant, but then while we were doing some construction she got moved to the front yard. By the time the construction was finished about 8 months later she had already started rooting into the ground and seemed happy, so I let her just exist outdoors. Things have now gotten a bit out of control as she's steadily taking over my entire yard. I want to cut her back but am worried about killing her from shock because the stalks have grown so big it is more like taking limbs off a tree than pruning. Any suggestions on how to keep her happy while getting her back at least somewhat under control? ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/i6aXzoxoBnTuyC6Sydns1gUT3KfJi0psaQeQnu_qUYk/JLs90_G4TUqk985orLaAZQ.webp?size=large) ## 11 comments ### Petals n pothos commented on 2025-02-25 For reference, those fronds closest to the camera are bigger than my body. Lol ### Claudette commented on 2025-02-25 Oh, but she’s so exquisite! I love her. Where do live? #### Petals n pothos replied on 2025-02-25 I'm in Fort Lauderdale. Life in the sub-tropics means everything gets HUGE. ### Claudette commented on 2025-02-25 I think you can cut her back pretty hard and she should be fine. Just give the cuttings to your friends and neighbors and she can continue to her effort to rule the world. 😉 #### Petals n pothos replied on 2025-02-25 Hahaha. Maybe that was her plan all along. ### Holly123 commented on 2025-02-25 Just a comment to say she's beautiful 😍! #### Petals n pothos replied on 2025-02-26 Thank you! ### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2025-02-26 It shouldn't shock her to cut her back. Pruning doesn't usually cause shock, unless you cut everything off. Having tree limbs sized 'vines' is very normal for a crawling monestera or philodendron #### Wolfen 🐺 replied on 2025-02-26 I agree definitely give the cuttings away, even a nursery would love them, as those huge chunks prop really well. ### Abi commented on 2025-02-26 This is amazing! 🤩 ### Katie commented on 2025-03-01 🥰 --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_