Looking to introduce some greenery to your home or office? Monstera deliciosa is surely worth a spot. This giant tropical plant not only adds a tropical touch to your interior, but it’s also easy to care for.
One thing that concerns many plant owners is repotting. It can be a daunting process, especially for novice plant owners. Fortunately, the Monstera requires repotting only once every 1-2 years, which makes it an excellent option if you don’t have the time to repot frequently.
Be that as it may, you should know when and why you need to repot your plant. So, in this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about repotting a Monstera, from when to repot it to choosing the right pot size.
Let’s dive straight into it.
Why Do Monsteras Need Repotting?
Plants aren’t designed to grow in pots. Even though some plants do well in restricted space, it’s not ideal for their growth and health. Why?
Because the roots keep growing and expanding to carry the stem and foliage. In the wild, plants’ roots have enough space to grow in almost any direction.
Conversely, indoor plants have restricted space, which limits their expansion.
To explain further, let’s say you have been growing your Monstera in the same pot for years. As seasons change, your plant will grow and thrive.
Accordingly, roots will expand, looking for more moisture and nutrients to absorb. If the pot isn’t big enough, the roots will start circling the pot’s bottom. Circling prohibits the roots from sucking moisture and nutrients, which affects the plant’s growth and vital processes.
That’s when repotting comes in handy!
Repotting is moving a plant from its current soil and container to a new one. It not only provides more space for your plant to grow, but it also allows the introduction of fresh soil instead of the old one.
Old soil loses its compactness and disintegrates over time, which deprives the plant of essential micronutrients.
When to Repot Monsteras
Monsteras do a great job of showing signs of distress. So, with regular monitoring, you can notice some signs that mean your plant needs repotting, including:
1 – Roots Expanding Through Drainage Holes
One of the telltale signs of repotting is when you see roots coming through drainage holes. That means roots have taken up the whole space inside the pot and looking to expand further.
In that case, you should act immediately by placing your plant in a larger container to avoid stunted growth.
Plus, if the roots keep taking up all the space inside the pot, there’s a risk that your plant develops root rot because of waterlogging.
2 – Slower Growth
Monsteras keep growing and thriving when placed in ideal conditions. If you notice your plant is growing slower than expected, or even stopped growing, consider repotting.
3 – Soil Dries Out Quickly
As your Monstera grows, it requires more water and nutrients from the soil. If the pot isn’t spacious for roots to grow and expand, the soil will dry faster than usual.
In normal conditions, soil retains water for 1 to 2 weeks. If the soil is drying out frequently, you might need to repot your Monstera.
It’s also worth noting that you should avoid following a strict watering schedule. It would be best to check your plant every 3 to 4 days to determine whether the soil is dry or moist.
By watering your Monstera too frequently, the potting mix will be washed out eventually, making it almost impossible for roots to stay hydrated.
4 – Yellowing Leaves
The foliage color is an excellent indicator of the plant’s overall health. When the pot is too small for your plant, the roots are unable to absorb moisture and nutrients.
Accordingly, all plant parts don’t get their required nutrients. This leads to discoloration of the leaves as they become yellow or brown.
5 – Soil Disintegration
It’s normal for soil to disintegrate after a few years of use. When soil disintegrates, it can’t retain moisture or nutrients anymore.
Instead, it flushes out nutrients from the bottom of the pot. In that case, repotting is essential to save your plant from dying.
How to Repot a Monstera
Repotting a Monstera might seem a little daunting at first. However, it’s a simple process that takes only a few minutes. Let’s go over how to do it.
1 – Choose the Suitable Time
The best time to repot your Monstera is in early spring. Because this is when the growth rate is the highest, which gives your plant a better recovery.
However, if your plant is already showing signs of unhealthy growth, start repotting immediately.
2 – Choose the Right Pot Size
The main reason behind repotting is that the old pot has become too small for your plant. That’s why choosing the new pot size is essential for successful repotting.
Pick a pot slightly larger and deeper than your old one. You should avoid going for too large pots. Why?
Too large pots allow room for excess water. This can lead to overwatering and root rot issues.
3 – Select a Suitable Soil Mix
You can prepare a well-draining soil mix for your Monstera or go for store-bought potting mixes.
It’s essential to choose a potting mix that contains perlite, pebbles, sand, and organic matter. After that, you can apply fertilizer to get nutrient-rich soil for your Monstera.
4 – Remove Your Monstera From the Old Pot
This part is critical for successful repotting. Turn the pot over and gently try to pull your plant out. If it’s not moving, you can try jiggling the pot a little to get the plant moving.
Never use force, as you can damage the roots and stems. If your Monstera is huge, you might need someone’s help.
A friend can hold the pot for you while you support the roots as they come out of the pot. If your Monstera is supported with a moss pole, hold the pole as you take the plant out of the container.
5 – Remove Extra Roots
After you pull your Monstera out of the pot, you’ll likely see a mass of roots circling the pot. You need to cut down these parts as they can grow outwards when placed in a new container.
6 – Transplant Your Monstera in the New Pot
Place your Monstera into the new pot after you gather the teased roots. With one hand, hold the base so that the soil line is about an inch below the pot’s rim.
Once your plant is secure, add extra houseplant soil mix to the sides to fill in the gaps. It’s worth noting that you shouldn’t overfill the container.
That’s because doing so could lead to soil spilling out the sides during watering. Finally, gently press down to secure the plant.
7 – Water
Now all that’s left after these procedures is to water your Monstera. Watering is important as it eliminates air pockets and helps the new roots settle and grow.
After watering, reposition your plant to its original spot and observe it over the following months to see how it’s growing.
What Size Pot to Use for Monsteras
Choosing the suitable pot size is essential for all houseplants, not only Monsteras. Because pot size affects your plant’s overall health and repotting frequency.
The perfect pot size for a Monstera should be at least 2 inches larger than the plant’s root diameter.
There’s no one-size-fits-all regarding plant pots. Each plant needs a specific pot suitable for its dimensions.
What Kind of Pot Is Best for Monsteras?
When choosing a pot for your Monstera, there are some factors you need to consider. That’s because each plant needs a specific pot to match its needs.
1 – Space
The pot should provide at least 2 inches of space between the roots and the container. This space allows roots to expand and grow while still not being too large that the pot retains excess water.
2 – Depth
Your Monstera container should be deep enough to add support to your plant, such as moss poles. If the pot is too shallow, it will be unstable when you add the pole.
In addition, as your plant grows, it becomes heavier, so it needs a relatively heavy pot to carry it.
As a general rule of thumb, when inserting a moss pole, it should be at least 7 inches deep to provide enough stability for your Monstera.
3 – Drainage
Even though Monsteras love moisture, extra water shouldn’t sit inside the pot for too long. Because it might lead to root rot and other serious problems.
On that account, drainage holes are a must-have in Monstera pots.
FAQs
What is repotting shock?
Repotting shock is a temporary condition that affects some plants after repotting. The condition involves curling and yellowing of leaves.
It happens because the roots become stressed when introduced into the new soil. Luckily, the shock is only temporary, and your plant will eventually recover.
Can you repot Monsteras in the summer?
The best time to repot your Monsteras is summer, spring, and early fall. That’s when Monsteras grow the best.
Repotting in summer, in particular, benefits your Monstera, as it recovers faster in summer than in winter.
What size pot to use for Monstera cuttings?
Monstera cuttings are relatively heavy. That’s why you need to choose a heavy pot for them to avoid tipping over.
A good rule of thumb is to use a pot that’s 4 inches in diameter and 5 inches deep. As the cuttings grow, you can repot them into larger containers.
How many Monstera cuttings can you put in one pot?
When propagating, the number of Monstera cuttings depends on the original plant’s size.
For example, in small Monsteras, you can take a maximum of one or two cuttings to avoid plant shock.
For larger plants, it would be best to take multiple cuttings to produce one giant plant or numerous Monsteras.
What to do if you can’t get a Monstera out of a pot?
If you’re having trouble pulling your Monstera out of the pot, you can water the soil first so that you loosen it. If it’s still resistant, you can use a sharp tool to cut the soil from the edges so it pulls out smoothly.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.