If you’ve dreamed of growing your little monstera into a big, beautiful plant, one thing is for sure: you’ll need to repot it. Depending on how fast your monstera grows, you can plan on repotting it every two to three years. While switching pots may seem a bit scary, moving your plants to a bigger container will benefit them in the long run. This guide will cover everything you need to know about how to repot monstera plants so you can tackle this task with confidence.
- Repotting Monstera Plants – The Essentials
- Reasons Why You May Need to Repot Monstera Plants
- How Often Do Monstera Plants Need Repotting?
- Best Times of Year to Consider Repotting Monstera
- The Best Soil Mix When Repotting Monstera Plants
- Necessary Tools for Repotting Monstera Plants
- Potting Vessel Considerations
- How to Repot Your Monstera Plant
- How to Repot Trellised Monstera
- Post Repotting Care
- Repotting Monstera Plants FAQs:
- Wrapping Up
Repotting Monstera Plants – The Essentials
Monstera plants should be repotted when they outgrow their current container, about once every 2 to 3 years. Ideally, you should repot in spring. Choose a container that is a few inches larger than the original and make sure to use a well-draining soil mix.
Reasons Why You May Need to Repot Monstera Plants
The number one reason you’ll need to repot your monstera is that it has outgrown its current pot. While most types of monstera can tolerate being a little snug in their containers, extra small containers can cause stress.
As plant roots fill up the container, they can have a more challenging time taking in the water and nutrients they need. Therefore, you may notice that your plant’s leaves are turning yellow or brown spots on your monstera plant.
Another reason monsteras might need to be repotted is a disease, specifically root rot. If your plant’s roots are soft and mushy, you’ll need to remove the root ball from the pot and trim off the affected parts. When you’re done, you’ll want to repot your monstera in fresh potting soil.
Finally, you may need to repot your plant if it is in the wrong type of potting soil. Repotting will allow you to swap subpar soil for a well-draining mix.
How Often Do Monstera Plants Need Repotting?
Your monstera’s environment and growth rate will impact how often you need to repot. With that said, you can expect to repot your monstera every two to three years.
If you notice your plant’s roots are growing out of the bottom of the container, it’s probably time to repot.
Best Times of Year to Consider Repotting Monstera
If your monstera is dealing with disease issues, you can repot it at any time of the year. It’s best to take care of issues like root rot ASAP.
However, if you’re not in a rush to repot, you can wait until an ideal time. Late winter or spring is the best time to repot (this is also the best time to propagate Monstera plants), due to the increasing daylight.
The Best Soil Mix When Repotting Monstera Plants
Choosing a proper soil mix is key to successfully repotting your monstera. If you choose the wrong type of soil, you may do more harm than good!
Monstera plants prefer well-drained potting soil that also holds a bit of moisture. They also like a well-aerated soil mix.
If you’d like to make your own potting mix, thoroughly combine the following ingredients:
- 1 part peat moss
- 1 part perlite
- 4 parts pine bark fines
The perlite and pine bark fines will provide excellent aeration and drainage while the peat moss will help hold water and nutrients.
Another option is to buy pre-blended potting soil. If you choose to go this route, look for a mix with lots of larger components like perlite, pumice, or pine bark fines. These larger materials promote both drainage and aeration.
Some commercially available mixes to consider include:
- Dirtco Houseplant and Tropical Plant Potting Soil
- Bloomscape Potting Soil
- Fox Farm Happy Frog Potting Soil
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Necessary Tools for Repotting Monstera Plants
Repotting monstera plants doesn’t require any specialized tools. All you’ll need is some fresh potting soil and a container that is a few inches larger than the original.
However, you may want to use a towel or sheet to help contain any mess. Lay this material down before you begin so you can easily clean up when you’re done.
Potting Vessel Considerations
When it comes time to choose a new container, size is the primary consideration. While you want to give your monstera some extra room to grow, you don’t want to increase the pot size dramatically.
Look for a container that is a few inches larger in diameter than the current container and a few inches deeper.
The container material is not very important. Glazed ceramic, plastic, and terra cotta pots are all suitable options.
However, you should ensure that the new container has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How to Repot Your Monstera Plant
Now that you know why and when to repot your monstera let’s dive into the details! While repotting can be intimidating, following these steps will lead to a happier and healthier plant:
- Prepare the area. Laying out a sheet, towel, or other protective covering to catch any dirt. Alternatively, you can repot your plant outside.
- Gather plant and new pot. Ensure the new container is just a few inches larger than the original pot.
- Remove the plant from the pot. Grab your monstera at its base and gently pull. You may need to wiggle it back and forth a bit if it’s rootbound.
- Inspect the roots. Gently brush off any loose soil and take a good look at the plant’s roots. If you notice any areas are soft or discolored, trim them off using a sharp and sanitized pair of shears.
- Add soil to the new pot. Fill the bottom of your new container with a few inches of potting soil.
- Add the root ball to the new pot. Once it’s in the pot, fill in the remaining areas with potting soil.
- Water. Once your monstera is in its new pot, water well.
That’s it! Once your monstera is repotted, place it in a warm area in bright yet indirect sunlight.
How to Repot Trellised Monstera
If you have a monstera that is trellised on a bamboo stake or coir pole, the repotting process is very similar to that of untrellised monstera plants.
However, you should take extra care when removing the plant from its current pot, especially if the plant is wrapped around the trellis. It often helps to have an extra set of hands. One person can gently hold the plant to the trellis while the other person removes the rootball from the pot.
You should also take extra care when adding your monstera plant and trellis to its new pot. Do your best to stabilize the trellis in the soil so it can adequately support your plant.
Post Repotting Care
After you repot your monstera, don’t be alarmed if it looks a bit sad and wilted. Repotting is a stressful process, no matter how careful you are.
It’s important to practice patience and not continually fuss with your plant. Moving your plant to new locations or constantly touching the leaves will only stress it out even more.
Instead, set your plant in the proper environment and do your best to leave it alone. Remember, monstera plants like bright yet indirect light and warm temperatures. If your plant was happy before repotting, it should continue to thrive in the same location.
As far as watering goes, only water your monstera plant when the top few inches of soil are dry. While you should water shortly after repotting, you don’t need to water again until the top of the soil is dry.
Repotting Monstera Plants FAQs:
Should I soak my Monstera Plant before repotting?
No, you do not need to soak your Monstera before repottng. Instead, repot your monstera then water it well once it is in its new pot.
Should you water a Monstera Plant immediately after repotting?
While it’s fine to water your monstera right after you finish repotting, this isn’t necessary. Just make sure to water it sometime within the next day.
Do Monstera Plants like big pots?
Like many plants, monsteras like containers that are just big enough to hold the plant’s roots. Choosing a pot that is too large can lead to issues with drainage and may cause root rot.
Why is my Monstera Plant limp after repotting?
No matter how careful you are during repotting, it’s still a stressful process! If your monstera looks limp or drooping after repotting, don’t panic. Place it in a warm area with indirect light, and it will likely bounce back in a few days.
Should I mist my Monstera Plant after repotting?
No, you do not need to mist your monstera when you finish repotting. While these plants do like moderate humidity, misting can potentially cause leaf diseases.
Should I fertilize my Monstera Plant after repotting?
No, you should not fertilize your monstera plant immediately after repotting. Instead, give it a few weeks to recover. And remember to only fertilize your monstera in the spring and summer.
Wrapping Up
That’s it! Repotting a monstera plant doesn’t sound so hard now, does it?
When you repot your monstera plant, make sure to choose a container that is just a few inches larger than the original. And don’t forget to use well-draining potting soil.
If you’re looking for your next monstera plant to add to your collection, see our in-depth guide to the best plant shops delivering monstera plants nationwide.
Briana holds a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Penn State University. She manages a small market garden where she grows vegetables and herbs. She also enjoys growing flowers and houseplants at home.
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