Are you looking for information on how to repot monstera plants correctly? Click here to learn in-depth about the best method of repotting monster plants.
Monstera plants, also known as Monstera deliciosa, are beautiful heart-shaped plants featuring holes in their foliage. These plants are well-known for their rapid growth. This means they require frequent repotting.
Examining the signs that your monstera adansonii plant requires repotting and following the appropriate repotting technique can help you manage thriving monstera plants.
Do you believe your Monstera plant needs repotting? If yes, continue reading for a step-by-step guide on repotting monster plants.
Signs Your Monster Deliciosa Requires Repotting
Before we dive into how to re-pot monstera, let’s discuss a few signs that can help confirm your monstera plant requires re-potting:
1. Roots Coming Out of the Drainage Holes
If your monstera plant roots begin to show and stick out of the plant’s pot, that is a sign that it has overgrown its pot.
When this occurs, you must immediately re-pot your monstera in at least one size larger pot.
So, for example, if your monster plant is housed in a 12-inch pot, you want to re-pot it in a 14-inch pot now. Doing so will allow you to encourage new growth and help keep your plant happy.
2. Potting Soil Drying Out Quicker Than Usual
The more roots a plant has, the more water it requires to thrive.
Moreover, as a monstera plant grows and goes through several waterings, its potting soil can get washed out, preventing it from receiving adequate hydration.
This is usually accompanied by roots emerging from the drainage holes.
If you feel your monsteras soil is drying out more than usual and it has been a while since you last re-potted the plant, it’s best to re-pot it in a fresh soil mix.
3. You Last Re-Potted Your Monstera 2-3 Years Ago
Almost every plant requires re-potting every two to three years, and there is no exception with Monsteras.
So if a considerable amount of time has passed since the last re-potting and your monstera is exhibiting at least two of the above signs, it’s advisable to transfer the plant to a larger pot.
4. Stunted Growth
Slowed down or completely halted growth is another key sign a monstera plant requires re-potting.
When a monstera plant becomes root bound, it has no room for new roots, which can significantly impact its growth.
If your monsteras growth has stopped or slowed, re-potting may be a great way to encourage new growth.
5. Yellow and Brown Leaves
If a plant grows out of its container, it may become root bound. Watering a root-bound plant on its usual watering schedule can cause the bottom leaves to become yellow or brown.
Although various reasons can cause leaf yellowing, checking your plant’s roots can help you identify if the problem is caused by the plant being root bound.
how to repot monstera adansonii
Follow the simple step-by-step guide below to re-pot your monstera adansonii plant efficiently:
1. Gather All Materials for Re-Potting
Before you begin the re-potting process, you want to ensure you have everything you will need during the re-potting process. Some of the important tools that you will need to re-pot your monster plant include:
- New pot: The pot must be at least one size larger than your old pot and have adequate drainage holes.
- Fresh well-draining soil mix: Select a high-quality and nutritious potting mix for your monstera plant. You can also make your own potting mix for monstera plants by mixing one part perlite, one part coco coir or peat moss, and four parts pine bark fines.
- Tools: Pruning shears, knives, scissors, gloves, etc.
Once you have acquired all the supplies for re-potting your Monstera plant, you can proceed to the following steps.
2. Prepare The Pot
Before removing the plant that requires re-potting from the old pot, you want to prepare your new pot by cleaning it well. Use warm water and mild detergent to eliminate bacteria or pests in the pot.
This is critical, especially if you are repurposing a pot from another plant. Once the pot is clean, fill it halfway with appropriate amounts of the potting mix.
3. Remove The Monstera Plant from Its Old Pot
Once the new pot is ready, gently remove the monstera plant from its old pot.
Avoid pulling on the plant too hard since that can damage the foliage. Instead, place the plant pot on its side and gently pull it until it comes out.
This can be tricky, especially when dealing with larger monstera plants, and requires patience. Before doing this, lay down a piece of the newspaper since this could be messy.
4. Loosen The Roots
During re-potting, experts recommend loosening the roots to allow the plant’s roots to spread out in the new pot instead of growing inwards.
This process, also known as tickling or teasing, helps the roots stay healthy after re-potting.
Allowing the roots to spread out can help the plant better absorb the nutrients from the potting mix. Utilize your fingers to loosen the roots and gently shake the plant to eliminate excess old soil.
This is also a great time to monitor the plant’s roots for signs of diseases like root rot. If you notice any diseased roots, clip them off with sterilized pruning shears or a clean sharp knife.
5. Tidy Up the Roots (Optional)
This step is optional since the look of your monstera plant can help determine if you need to follow this step.
Since monstera plants are fast growers, they can sometimes get excessively large and require pruning.
One way to contain the plant’s growth is to trim the roots. Doing so may also help the plant fit well in its new pot.
However, make sure never to trim aggressively since that can cause your monstera plant to go into shock.
6. Place The Plant in its New Pot
Once you have tidied up the roots, it’s time to place the plant in its new pot. Pick up the plant gently while supporting its roots from underneath.
Lower the monstera plant into its new container, ensuring all its roots are inside the pot.
Once you have placed the plant inside its new pot, you want to fill any gaps with its soil mix.
Leave some space at the top of the pot since filling the top too high can cause the soil to fall out of the pot during watering.
Gently apply pressure on the soil to anchor the roots. However, avoid pressing too aggressively since you don’t want the potting mix to become compact.
7. Water Thoroughly
Once the re-potting is complete, all left to do is offer the plant ample water. Doing so will also help you eliminate air pockets and allow the roots to settle in place.
Now place your monstera in its usual spot and offer medium to bright indirect sunlight to help it thrive and adapt to the new pot.
Aftercare Tips
Although re-potting is necessary for plants and provides many advantages over the long run, it may be extremely stressful for them in the first few days, causing them to undergo transplant shock.
This is why plants demand special attention after re-potting. The following tips can enable you to help your monstera plants recover after re-potting:
- Avoid fertilizing the plan in the initial days since the new soil mix is packed with nutrients. This can increase the chance of overfeeding, severely harming your monstera plant.
- Follow a proper watering schedule to avoid under and overwatering. Add alarms to your phone to help remind you to water your plant and reduce the chances of you watering more than necessary.
- Only water your monstera when the first layer of its soil is dry. Place one or two inches of your finger into the soil to see if it is dry.
- Place the monstera plant in a bright spot. However, shelter it from direct sunlight.
- Offer your Monstera with appropriate humidity levels. Ideally, monsteras prefer 50% humidity. However, a monstera will thrive in normal indoor humidity levels. If the air lacks humidity, consider getting a humidifier to create the ideal environment for your plant.
repotting monstera soil FAQs
Q: When Is The Best Time To Re-Pot Monstera Plants?
Spring is the ideal time for re-potting monsters since this is the active growing season for the plants.
Replenishing the plant’s nutrients during the active growing season can help encourage new growth.
Q: Can I Place Pebbles In My Monstera Plants Pot?
You can place pebbles in monstera pots since it helps with better drainage. However, make sure the pebbles are not covering the drainage holes.
Q: What Is The Best Soil Mix For Monstera Plants?
Monstera plants prefer a well-draining soil mix rich in compost and peat. The plants do well in nutrient-rich, dense soils.
Our Final Thoughts
Hence, if your monstera plant displays the indicators mentioned above of needing re-potting, follow these seven simple steps to re-pot the plant.
Re-potting offers ample advantages to monsteras and will allow you to keep your monstera plant healthy and thriving. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to grab your supplies and get started!
My name is Olivia, and I live in the United States and love having plants in my garden. Lots of plants are there on my balcony, indoor and outdoor garden also. Here I am trying to share useful gardening tips, how to grow and care for various plants, etc.