Monstera plants are impressive tropical houseplants that bring the jungle into your home. However, Monstera plants need plenty of space in their pots to grow at their best. This article will run through everything you need to know about the ideal potting vessel sizes for Monstera plants to thrive.
Monstera Growth Expectations
Monstera plants are evergreen tropical vines found in the rainforests of Central and South America. In these warm, humid environments, many varieties of Monstera plants grow up to 65 feet tall (20 meters). Monstera plants are hemiepiphytes that use aerial roots to climb nearby trees and reach these dizzying heights.
Monstera plants won’t grow quite as large indoors as they would in the wild. Some Monstera species, like Monstera deliciosa, can reach up to 15 feet tall indoors. Others, like Monstera adansonii, can trail as long as 13 feet.
Many Monstera plants produce 1 to 2 feet of new growth per year. That makes them reasonably slow growers compared to other houseplants. As such, you should only need to repot your Monstera every 2 to 3 years.
What Size Pot is Best for Monstera Plants?
As Monstera plants grow pretty slowly, it’s vital to provide the correct pot size. Pots that are too small can stunt or restrict growth, resulting in a root-bound plant. Pots that are too big won’t provide enough support and can increase the risk of waterlogged soil.
Monstera plants need pots that are approximately 2 inches larger than the root ball. This provides plenty of space for the roots to grow for another 2 or 3 years. Whenever you repot your Monstera, only move up one pot size at a time. So if you were growing your Monstera in an 8-inch pot, move up to a 10-inch pot.
What Types of Pot Are Best for Monstera Plants?
Always keep your Monstera in a nursery pot with drainage holes. These pots allow excess water to drain away whenever you water your Monstera. If the soil doesn’t drain properly, you’ll end up with waterlogged soil, which could lead to problems like root rot. Use well-draining soil that still retains some moisture.
You can place your Monstera’s nursery pot into a decorative pot if you wish. This is a great way to hide plain plastic nursery pots. Ceramic decorative pots are the best option, although terracotta pots can also work.
Keep in mind that terracotta pots are porous, which causes water to evaporate through the pot. While some houseplants can be potted directly into terracotta pots, this isn’t recommended for Monsteras. The soil needs to hold a bit of moisture and would dry out too quickly in a terracotta pot.
Wrapping Up
Monstera plants need pots that are approximately 2 inches bigger than the plant’s root ball. This provides lots of space for the roots to grow. As Monsteras are relatively slow growers, you should only need to repot them every 2 to 3 years. When repotting, only go up by one pot size at a time.
For more, see our in-depth guide on where to position Monstera plants for optimal growth and feng shui benefits in the home or office.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
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