The Ultimate Guide to Repotting Monstera Plants

Knowing…

about repotting Monstera plants is crucial for their optimal growth. It will improve there root system, leaf development and overall health. Mixing your soil with natural ingredients to enhance soil structure will strengthen the root system and allow it to expand for further healthier growth. Here is a step-by-step guide to learning when and how to repot a Monstera!

Step-by-Step Guide to Repotting Monstera

A good rule of thumb is to repot your plant with fresh soil every two years preferably in the spring or summer months when it’s warmer outside. Spring and summer are your Monsteras active growing season. This means it will be able to absorb the necessary nutrients needed after being repotted. This will help avoid repotting shock and stress. Try to avoid repotting during fall and winter. These months are your plants dormant season. It stores energy to get through the cooler months so repotting during these dormant seasons can easily lead to repotting stress.

“If you are in direct sunlight when repotting just keep in mind how much time this will take as we don’t want our plant to get sunburned.“

Grab everything you need within arms reach before you get hands-on and repot your precious jungle plant! Repotting outside on your deck or backyard is a great option as repotting can get messy with the soil.

Tools for Repotting Monstera

• Gardening gloves if you prefer
• Pruning shears
• Watering can
• Potting mix
• Bigger plant pot
• Peat moss
• Orchid bark
• Perlite
• Coconut coir

Tips for Repotting Monstera

• Use fresh potting mix with good drainage.
  • Using fresh soil whenever repotting will make sure your not bringing back any bugs or diseases that might have been in the old soil. Fresh soil will allow new drainage for your roots and will help avoid root rot and other aeration issues.
• Avoid terra cotta pots, which dry out the soil too quickly.
  • If you struggle with overwatering or underwatering choosing the right pot will either help evaporate water faster or slower in between your watering schedule to help avoid waterlogged roots.
• Choose a pot 2-3 inches wider for optimal growth.
  • This will give your plant enough room to continue expanding and growing its root system without being squished or root-bound.
• Water your monstera plant a few days before you plan to repot it, this will make it easier to remove from its pot.
  • Watering in advance can help loosen up the soil and roots for when you need to pull it out of the pot and can help your plant adjust better in it’s new pot.

When you repot make sure you always take fresh potting mix. This will bring back essential nutrients your plant will need to regroup after being replanted. You can use any standard houseplant mix as the base to your soil blend. Mix in equal amounts of orchid bark, peat moss, perlite and coconut coir with your potting mix. These natural ingredients will enhance your soil structure by providing aeration, moisture retention, good drainage and air pockets. These will help improve the health of the roots and will provide adequate nutrients for the root system to expand.

“This will help structure the soil and create air pockets for your roots to breathe better. Peat moss is a great ingredient in retaining moisture for your roots.”

Repotting Monstera: From Pot to Root Care

Step One- Prepare the New Pot for Your Monstera

You can start by filling your new pot with fresh potting soil mix and some wood chips or orchid bark. Some people add rocks or shards of ceramic pieces to the bottom of their pot for better drainage but if you do this it can actually make drainage worse. That’s why you always want to make sure you get a pot that has drainage holes. If you have a pot without drainage holes you can easily add some with a drill.

Step Two- How to Safely Take Your Monstera Out of Its Old Pot

Now you can remove your monstera plant from its pot. To make this easier you can tip your plant carefully on its side and push on the container a little to help loosen the plant from its current pot. Once it’s a little loose lift the container away from the root ball. Make sure that when you do this you support your moss pole if you have one. If your plant has one, you want to try to keep it attached to the aerial roots.

Step Three- Massaging the Root Ball for Healthy Roots

Once your monstera is out of its old container you want to massage the root ball to loosen it up. Gently use your fingers to massage the root ball to help loosen up the roots for new soil and to get the old soil off. You want to avoid breaking or damaging any roots when doing this. Another good idea is to inspect the root ball for any signs of rot or damage. Healthy roots should be firm and white. If you need to remove any you can use clean, sharp pruning shears to remove any soft, black, or rotted roots.

Step Four- Transplanting Steps

Now comes the fun part! Take your stunning monstera and plant it in the new pot. To do this pick up your Monstera plant with one hand on the root ball and the other at the base of your plant, then place it into the new pot. Fill the area around the root ball with the fresh potting mix soil. You will want to leave about 1 inch of space between the top of your new soil mix and the rim of your new pot.

“Always adjust the new soil level so it is the same in the new pot.”

Step Five- Aerial Root Care

Ariel roots are a preference for some people. At this point, some people prefer to direct any long aerial roots outside the pot back into the soil. This can help support your monstera plant and take up additional nutrients. Others like to help them climb up a moss pole or wooden stakes to help mimic the natural growing environment from the rainforest. This will help your monstera grow up instead of out.

Step Six- Watering

Now you’re at the end of this exhausting adventure! Make sure you water your monstera in its new pot. Give it enough water so it drains out the bottom of the pot. Let your soil drain fully before putting your monstera plant back into a drip tray to keep your plant from sitting in water. Excess water sitting in the pot can cause root rot and your plant to develop diseases which is something we don’t wish for our tropical beauty!

Step Seven- Helping Your Monstera After Transplanting

Giving your monstera plant the opportunity to adjust is very important. You can put your Monstera plant back in its usual spot after you watered it. This will help your tropical plant adjust well and keep it from going into shock from being repotted. Try to avoid fertilizing for at least six weeks after you repotted it. This will help keep from damaging any new roots.

“If you’ve repotted during the fall or winter, you should wait until the following springtime to start fertilizing it again. However we encourage you to repot during the active growing season to enhance your Monsteras health.“

Best Time For Repotting Monstera

Your monstera will let you know when it needs to be repotted. Repotting boosts the immunity of the plant as it increases it’s strength to fight off infections and diseases. By adding in fresh potting soil you are bringing back nutrients that are needed for new growth.

It’s best to repot during the late spring and in the summer. This is because it’s the Monsteras active growing season. Also it is very practical to repot outside where you can leave the soil that’s spilled and water it effectively. Fall and winter are your Monsteras dormant months where it is not growing as much. This is why when you repot during these months it can do more harm then good as it does not have enough energy stored up to regroup after being replanted.

“This can lead to plant shock and stress causing an unhealthy tropical plant.“

Signs your monstera needs repotting

• Its roots grow onto the soil’s surface or out of the pot’s drainage hole.
• If your monstera plant is large and falling over, that’s a good sign that it needs to be staked or supported better.
• You might also notice that your plant seems to dry out a day or two after you water it, or the water doesn’t soak into the soil but rather just sits at the top.
• Overgrown foliage on your Monstera plant

Keeping your Monstera in a pot that is to small can have side effects. The roots will get squished, become root bound, won’t be able to absorb water effectively causing leaf discoloration and lack of nutrients. Repotting brings back nutrients to the soil, helps fight off infections, and gives enough room for the roots to continue to grow and expand.

“Repotting every 1-2 years will give your Monstera enough room to continue healthy growth resulting in bigger leaves and stronger stems.”

FAQ’s: Repotting Monstera

What is the best potting method monstera?

Plant your monstera in a container that has drainage holes. Make sure to use good quality potting soil with peat moss or wood chips that drain easily. Monstera plants thrive in dense, nutrient-rich soil, but they don’t do well in potting soils that have compost. If your container doesn’t have drainage holes, make a few in the bottom.

Can I repot my monstera in the winter?

The best time to repot your monstera plant is during the active growing season, from early spring through late summer. It’s important to avoid repotting in the winter, but if the climate is mild, repotting in the fall is possible. When choosing a pot, choose one with plenty of drainage holes to prevent any root rot from developing.

Should Monstera be in soil or Leca?

LECA balls dry out faster than soil, so this is a great option if you tend to love your monstera to death by overwatering it! LECA balls are also sterile, so the fungus and bacteria that can cause infections like root rot aren’t present. Excellent root aeration.

Should I use a moss pole for Monstera?

If you are wondering whether you should get a moss pole for your monstera plant, the short answer is yes! Monsteras are epiphytic climbing plants and as they grow, they need a moss pole for support, just like in their natural growing environment they like to climb up.

Can you put a moss pole on without repotting Monstera?

While the moss is soaking, it’s a good idea to examine your monstera plant to determine whether it might need to be repotted before you add the totem. If your monstera plant is already in a pot that’s big enough and the roots aren’t too dense, you can install the moss totem without repotting the plant.

How do you get your monstera to climb?

To train your monstera to climb, provide a support structure such as a trellis or moss pole that helps it grow in a vertical direction. Monsteras climb in their natural habitat, so you might get larger, healthier leaves if you train them!

Do Monsteras go into shock after repotting?

Yes, your monstera can go into shock after repotting. This will depend on various factors, but you can expect your plant to recover soon with the right care, as early as in a few days to a week.

Do you have any tips on when and how to repot your Monstera? Share your thoughts or questions in the comments below! We love hearing about odd tips and tricks when it comes to growing an indoor jungle!

Want to see more? Check out our Monstera plant health page!