Use all-purpose potting soil to repot your monstera at any time of the year. Repotting these plants should only be done every two to three years because they prefer to stay in their pots. Instead of repotting your monstera once it is in a container with a diameter of eight inches or greater, top-dress it with new potting soil.
Your monstera will eventually lose its lower leaves as it climbs; even cutting off growth tips won’t stop it from moving upward. While there is no method to promote regeneration on the lower, barren stems, it is simple to propagate a new, fuller-appearing plant from a strong stem with multiple leaves.
It Has Been Two Years
Repotting every two years, preferably at the start of the growing season, is a decent general rule of thumb, though it should be noted that this is merely a recommendation. Younger plants may develop considerably more vigorously and require repotting more frequently, thus this rule does not apply to them.
But for older plants, this is a terrific approach to maintain a routine that enables you to replace their pots, examine their roots, and replenish their soil. This is crucial for huge Monsteras because it may take many people to take them out of their pots and replant them in new ones.
The Roots Are Growing Out of the Drainage Hole
Although two years is the standard, these quickly growing plants can require more frequent repottings. Check the drainage hole on your Monstera to see if it needs to be repotted; if roots are sticking out, your Monstera has outgrown its container!
If so, consider upgrading your pot size before replanting. The Monstera will have plenty of room to breathe thanks to this. Repotting is necessary since an overgrown Monstera will become rootbound, which may lead to issues later.
The other choice is to prune the plant’s roots if you’re worried about expanding the pot size. This will stifle growth, which is something to take into account if available space is a problem.
The Soil Won’t Hold Much Water
When watering your Monstera, you may notice another sign that it needs to be repotted. Pull the Monstera out of the container and look at the roots if you find that the water you add to the plant seems to drain from the drainage hole too rapidly. You’ll probably discover that the plant has become root-bound.
A plant that is rootbound has roots that have expanded to the point that they completely fill the pot, leaving little to no space for soil. Due to an imbalance in the ratio of roots to soil, water cannot be properly absorbed by the remaining soil and will eventually run out of the pot. This is bad for the health of the plant because it prevents the roots from soaking up the water that ought to soak into the soil.
If you examine the roots and see that this has occurred, prepare to use a larger pot. To ensure that all of the roots have access to the new soil after transplanting, you should try to carefully untangle the roots. While tangled roots won’t completely destroy a plant, they will have an impact on the soil’s ability to retain moisture and the plant’s ability to obtain all the nutrients it requires.
There Isn’t Any New Growth
If your Monstera deliciosa is otherwise happy and healthy but isn’t putting out any new growth, it could be time to repot it. There are several reasons a Monstera won’t produce new leaves, including insufficient light or water, low humidity, and a lack of nutrients, so be sure to examine your plant before making a determination.
A Monstera that has stopped growing but hasn’t experienced any stressors, such being transferred, is frequently too big for its pot. If this is the problem, it can be quickly determined by looking at the roots. Repotting is necessary if there are more roots than soil or if the roots are severely entangled and tied together.
In this circumstance, repotting is a fast technique to guarantee that the Monstera resumes producing new growth. Place the Monstera back where it was after repotting it in a bigger pot with new soil. It will resume growing if the time of year is favorable!
When should I no longer repot Monstera?
You will slow down your Monstera plant’s growth and never realize the full potential of these lovely plants if you keep it in the same pot for an extended period of time.
Here are 5 indicators that your Monstera is ready for a larger pot that you may watch out for. It can be difficult to tell if your plant is ripe, but if you read this post, it will become evident.
Roots coming out of the drainage holes
This is an unmistakable indication that your Monstera deliciosa probably requires a new pot. Find a pot that is one size larger if you notice roots poking through the drainage holes.
For instance, only use pots with a maximum diameter of 10 inches if your plant is in an 8 inch pot. The potting mix will dry out in a decent amount of time while allowing for more growth to take place.
I’ll provide you with a complete list of more Monstera blog posts at the end of this article, as well as a link to my in-depth Monstera care and repotting piece that you can use to repot your own plant.
Your plant has slowed down in growth (or even stopped)
Even with abundant light, if your Monstera is excessively root-bound, the development will drastically slow down.
It’s time for a bigger pot if you’ve discovered that your plant isn’t growing any longer despite favorable conditions and is badly root-bound.
Your potting mix is drying out much faster than it used to
You might find it difficult to provide adequate water to your Monstera plant when the pot fills up with roots.
Additionally, if you have been strictly adhering to a watering schedule (such as once per week), you might discover that your plant needs water more frequently than once per week.
For those of you who don’t know me, I firmly think that you shouldn’t water your plants according to a precise schedule because your plant’s water requirements can change based on the season, how tightly its roots are tied, and many other things.
Over time, roots may fill the pot, potting soil may have been rinsed out from repeated waterings, and it gets harder and harder to maintain optimum moisture levels for your plant. In these situations, it’s likely that you also have roots poking through the drainage hole, which means you need to repot the plant.
You’re starting to get a lot of yellow leaves and brown crispy leaves
Continuing from the last point, if your plant is root-bound and you’re still following a tight watering schedule, this may be the reason why the bottom leaves on your plant are turning yellow.
Your watering regimen might have worked for a while, but as soon as your plant develops root rot, it will stop working.
Feel your potting mix as soon as you notice any yellow leaves (which can have a variety of causes). Your Monstera will likely grow yellow leaves if your plant is very root-bound and you aren’t watering it frequently enough.
Another potential symptom of a severely root-bound Monstera is the development of crispy, brown leaf tips.
For a few years, my plant in the picture above has been growing in the same 14-inch-diameter pot.
Even though I’ve noticed that it’s drying out much more fast than it used to, I’m not sure whether I want to repot a plant that is taller than me.
I will thus need to water my plant much more carefully in the meantime as I wait to find the motivation to repot such a large plant in order to maintain it healthy.
Also, keep in mind that pruning your Monstera’s brown leaf tips is quite OK!
It’s been more than 2-3 years since you last repotted
Even though the passage of time alone isn’t always a reliable indicator of whether your plant needs to be repotted, if 2-3 years have passed and you haven’t done so, especially if it’s in a smaller pot or is a young plant, it’s probably time!
It’s probably time for a bigger pot if you’ve observed a combination of at least two of the aforementioned characteristics, if not more.
Here are a few more blog pieces I published about caring for Monstera plants that you might like. I hope you enjoyed this one on when to repot Monstera.
Are Monstera deliciosa plants root-bound plants?
Monstera plants don’t prefer to be root-bound, thus no. The plant won’t be able to develop and support itself if there isn’t room for the roots to expand and reach additional nutrients and water in the soil.
Since new plants develop relatively quickly for the first four years or so, they should be repotted once a year. Every two to three years, older plants can be checked or given a new pot.
Even in otherwise ideal growing conditions, root-bound plants are stressed plants and will not fare as well as they otherwise could. They must use their meager energy reserves to concentrate on staying alive rather than producing new growth.
In fact, this may be the reason if you’ve noticed that your Monstera hasn’t sprouted any new leaves or, if this is still happening, that the existing leaves aren’t splitting. Because of this, Monstera plants should periodically be examined and replanted as necessary.
What does it mean for a plant to be root bound?
When someone refers to a plant as being “root bound” or “pot bound,” they are essentially saying that it has outgrown its container and has no room for its roots. A plant’s roots will begin to grow in circles along the pot’s outer border if it is kept in a container that is too small for it.
The name refers to how the pot’s available space limits how much room the plant’s roots can spread out. In certain situations, the plant’s roots will eventually encircle themselves, obstructing the soil’s ability to absorb nutrients, water, or air.
The concept is pretty similar to foot binding if you’ve ever heard of it, with the feet being deformed as they are kept in a small area. When plant roots become pot-bound or root-bound, the same thing takes place.
When grown outside and to some extent indoors, certain Monstera species can reach heights of up to twelve feet, therefore its root system is much more crucial than that of other small houseplants.
Sadly, many Monstera plants cultivated inside or outside in pots never achieve their full beauty and size simply because their root systems are confined in containers that are much too tiny for them.
How big should I pot up my Monstera?
It would also be preferable if you avoided planting your Monstera in a pot that is too tiny. Following are some indicators that your Monstera is ready for a new pot:
- The plant topples over or is unstable.
- The leaves are thirsty and drooping.
- The soil no longer retains water or dries up too rapidly.
- You can see roots sticking out of the pot’s bottom.
Living in a pot that is too small can cause root crowding, stunted growth, and underwatering, especially when Monstera is young. Find a bigger pot now!
A seasoned Monstera accepts a little pot-boundness. Keeping your Monstera in the same-sized pot will stop it from growing as quickly once it reaches a large size and you don’t want it to become any bigger.
It will still require attention to prevent becoming very pot-bound. Every year in the early spring, you can trim the roots and top-dress your Monstera with new soil.
How to choose the perfect pot size
When repotting, select a pot with a diameter that is 2 inches (5 cm) greater than the existing size. This is just enough to allow the roots to spread and flourish, but not too much that a too-large pot will cause the soil to get soggy.
Does the height of the pot matter?
The ratio of height to depth is generally not dramatically different between pots. When it comes to the pot’s depth, monsteras are not very choosy.
Make sure the pot for your Monstera has enough depth to prevent a stake or moss pole from tipping over.
Do monstera plants prefer little pots?
Unquestionably, one of the most well-known indoor plants in history is the monstera deliciosa. The characteristic leaves are frequently seen in movies, video games, and printed on at least three pillows at your neighborhood home goods store. In addition to being a true fashion classic, it is also a very resilient and adaptable plant. We delve into the requirements for caring for this plant in this article.
Other names for Monstera deliciosa include “fruit salad plant,” “elephant ear plant,” and “swiss cheese plant.”
When should I water my Monstera deliciosa?
During the warmer months of the year, wait until the soil has dried to at least 50% of its depth. Allow the soil to totally dry up before watering in the winter.
How much light does a Monstera need?
Although they can withstand medium to low light, monstera prefer bright light. A decent test is a room with enough light to read a book by. They will develop more quickly and larger the more light they receive.
When should I fertilize my Monstera?
Mid-Spring to mid-Autumn, apply a liquid fertilizer every other time you water. You can fertilize your plants every time you water them if they are growing quickly in the summer. Fertilize not during the winter.
Should I re-pot my Monstera?
The majority of indoor plants are content to grow in small containers and will even profit from being somewhat root-bound. There is never a rush to increase the size of your pot until all the soil has had roots grow through it, just an inch or two.
Light
It is preferable to place your Monstera in the brightest area possible when it is cultivated indoors. A excellent place to start is with enough natural light to comfortably read a book. Make sure your plant doesn’t receive too much afternoon sun in the summer to avoid burning it. Even while a location may be ideal throughout the year, on a day with a temperature of +40°C, the heat and light may be too much for the plant to take.
Monstera may thrive in low-light conditions, however the smaller the leaves are, the less fenestration there will be to grow.
Fenestration refers to the distinctive holes that make a monstera leaf so simple to recognize. Faster growth, bigger leaves, and more fenestration will occur as a result of increased light levels.
Watering
The majority of indoor plants are vulnerable to overwatering. During warm weather, we advise you to water this plant just after the top half of the soil has dried out. Try to let the soil dry up almost completely over the winter.
Depending on the time of year, the location of the plant, and the flow of air, this will take two to four weeks. Please be aware that this is the shortest length of time you can wait; especially in the winter, you can wait much longer!
In severe circumstances, overwatering this plant can cause root rot, darkened leaf tips, and even plant death. However, if you skip watering for a week or two, the plant may not even notice or may simply wilt, giving you a very clear indication that it’s time to water.
Fertiliser
As a plant with a potential for rapid growth, monstera will undoubtedly profit from routine applications of liquid fertilizer. Every second cycle of watering throughout the warmer months of the year—spring and summer—can include some fertilizer. If your plant continues to develop during the winter, you could consider reducing the intensity of your fertilizer and using it less frequently.
Although products made from seaweed, like Seasol, are low in the essential elements for development (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium), they are excellent soil conditioners and helpful for avoiding hydrophobia and pot shock.
Repotting
Monstera enjoy being crammed within their containers. Regardless of the size of the pot, they will grow enormous. Your monstera won’t grow any bigger or faster if you put it in a big pot; most likely, all the extra damp soil will cause root rot, or your monstera will focus more energy on growing roots than leaves. It is preferable to concentrate more on a pot that complements your aesthetic while repotting and to use that pot for a few years.
It’s better to repot during the warmer months of the year if you do decide to do so. Be cautious to plant it in a container with sufficient drainage (at least one big drainage hole). The soil may dry up a little bit quicker if you choose to use a porous terracotta pot, which can be quite beneficial in preventing over-watering. A premium potting mix is an excellent place to start, but a cacti/succulent mix or even chunky orchid mix works great to help with drainage. Monstera flourish in a well-draining potting mix.
Propagation
After a year or two, Monstera deliciosa’s size as a vine can become painfully obvious. This plant will spread across the ground and climb trees in the wild. You might need to stake the plant as it gets bigger in order to sustain this sprawling epiphyte and keep it standing erect. You can take a clip from the lead portion of the stem if you think the plant is getting too long. This will stop the stem’s growth and promote new shoots to emerge from the lowest parts of the plant.
The cutting can either be submerged in water or planted in wet ground. A node should be present on the stem of your stem cutting for about one inch. If the cutting already has an aerial root, it will grow considerably more quickly. Don’t worry if your cutting loses its leaves; they are not at all necessary because the stems can photosynthesise.
Common Problems
Overwatering is the most frequent problem that you may encounter. This will result in wilting, root rot, blackened leaf tips, and frequently white mold on the soil. Check to see if your pot is emptying and if you are watering excessively. Once it is dried, stop watering it again! In extreme circumstances, you might replace the moist soil with dry soil or move the plant outside into a covered area to hasten the drying process. Simply wait. Although this plant is unbreakable, it will take some time. A lot of good airflow will be quite beneficial.
If your plant isn’t getting enough light, it will grow long, lanky, and floppy to help it reach a potential light source. The internodes will be longer and the leaves will be more sparse. Stake the plant and/or relocate it to a more sunny area. It must be a permanent shift; periodically moving the plant into a light area would not work.
The most frequent pests are mealybugs, scale, and gnat flies, but I have never found M. deliciosa to be particularly vulnerable to insect invasion. The best course of action is to manually remove them to halt the spread right away, and then obtain a solution like neem oil, which will eradicate a variety of unpleasant creatures while being extremely safe and non-toxic.