How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot? The Ultimate Guide

Wondering….

how many Monstera plants in one pot? Are there health concerns? Should you fertilize more often? There are so many questions surrounding this, and let me tell you, I have often wanted to squish multiple plants into one pot because I didn’t want to grab a new pot! Let’s dive in and discover if placing more than one plant in the same pot is beneficial or even doable!

Key Factors: How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot?

Many people think planting multiple Monsteras in a single pot is a good idea and will save them space and time. Believe me, when I first started growing my indoor jungle, I thought the same thing! Not to mention, my plants would look fuller and more lush! However, certain factors must be kept in mind when planning to do this to make sure your plants will not only thrive but survive. Let’s explore some key elements that will help determine what’s best for our tropical friends!

Root Space

• You have probably learned that your Monsteras have 2 different sets of roots. The aerial roots and the underground roots. These roots both need enough space to continue growing and room to expand. That’s why when you plant more than one Monstera in the same pot, the roots might compete for the nutrients, water, moisture, and space. This can lead to tangled unhealthy growth and you end up with unhealthy plants.
• If your plants start showing signs like yellowing leaves, stunted, or lack of growth this is due to your plant being stressed and the pot might be too tight and compacted. Regularly check on your plant’s roots if you planted more than one in the same pot and repot into multiple pots if signs of stress occur.

How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot? Pot Size and Depth

• When choosing your pot the size and depth matter. Tropical plants like the Monstera grow faster than other plant types and their roots expand more as they grow. This is why a pot that is too small will become too crowded and cause unhealthy roots leading to an unhealthy Monstera. The roots will become restricted and will have no more room to grow resulting in stunted growth for your plant.
• A good rule of thumb for one Monstera is at least 10-12 inches in diameter if you’re planting more than one in the same pot at least 16-20 inches wide and deep.

“This will give adequate space for the further growth of the root system.”

Overcrowding

Overcrowding will not only stop any new growth but it also brings with it other health issues for your plant.

Nutrient Deficiency: Planting multiple plants into one pot can reduce the amount of soil nutrients faster. This will require more frequent fertilizing which can be hard if you have a busier schedule.

Moisture Imbalance: If your plants share soil it can retain too much water and cause uneven dry soil. This leads to root rot or drought stress because of inconsistencies.

Disease Spread: Planting together will increase the chance of your Monstera’s getting bug infestations or diseases. This is because if one plant has caught something it transfers to the others in the pot through the soil resulting in multiple diseased plants.

“Planting in the same pot will spread things a lot quicker than if they are grown separately.”

Of course, it is possible to plant multiple plants in the same pot if you keep on top of soil health and Monstera plant health however, for busier people or beginners to tropical plants I would not recommend planting multiple plants together.

How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot? Benefits

While having multiple plants in the same pot can cause health issues and more upkeep maybe your wonder if there’s any benefits to how many Monstera plants in one pot? If you’re huge into aesthetics and practicality this is the sweet spot for you!

“If planting them together in one pot is done correctly, growing your indoor jungle can create a beautiful display your family will be jealous of!”

Benefits of planting together

Use of Space

If you live in a small house, apartment, or anywhere with limited space, planting your Monsteras together can serve as a solution for tight spaces.

Lush Appearance

Planting more than one plant together can create a beautiful display! Leaves overlapping each other will create a dense tropical look and feel which I am personally obsessed with! This is a great benefit if you’re looking to make your Monstera the focal point of the room! They will definitely be eye candy!

Humidity

Having plants near each other will create a small microclimate as they increase the humidity levels. Planting the plants in the same pot will further increase this microclimate as they will tag team releasing moisture into the air. This can help keep humidity problems away and will help keep the humid environment stable.

Shared Care Routine

If you’re a busy person or don’t like caring for multiple plants, planting them into one pot can minimize this chore. Less pots to take care of means less watering and fertilizing for more pots at the same time but they still all get the same care routine.

Propagation Ease

If you have propagated a Monstera cutting before you will know it can sometimes not turn out well! Planting together in one pot will let any younger plants grow together in a shared environment. This will help growth by mimicking the natural clustering that Monsteras have when in their native habitats.

“This way of propagating will support new growth and healthy development.”

Staying on top of a care routine when planting Monsteras in the same pot can result in a stunning and eye-catching area in your home as they overlap each other and create a dense jungle-like feel and vibe!

How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot? Drawbacks

Just like there are benefits to planting Monsteras together there are also some potential drawbacks. Overcrowding and competing for soil nutrients can impact your plant’s health and the ability to care for them.

Drawbacks of planting together

Competition

Monsteras tend to grow fast and strong with their ever-developing root systems. If they grow in the same pot it can cause the roots to compete with each other for nutrients, water, and moisture. This will result in stunted or slowed growth, tangled roots making it hard for future repotting, lack of nutrients to the foliage, and spreading of health issues.

Lack of nutrients

As you can imagine roots competing with each other will result in a lack of nutrients and food available for your plants. This leads to a yellowing plant, wilting stems and leaves, and brown spots on the foliage. Planting together means creating and sticking to a strict fertilizing schedule to make sure all the roots can absorb the right amount of nutrients needed.

Soil moisture

Soil moisture can be tricky when planting tropical plants together. Each of your monsteras will have different moisture and watering needs based on their age and growth cycle. This will lead to some plants in the same pot getting not enough or too much water.

“This easily leads to root rot, mushy or overly dry roots, inconsistent root health, and overwatering or drought.”

Air circulation

In order to thrive Monsteras need high humidity and adequate airflow. Planting together can cause leaf mold or a wilting plant as it can be tougher to get proper air circulation through the overlapping leaves.

Increase of diseases

As your plants grow together their roots will start to intertwine. This can be very challenging later on when you need to repot them as they will all be tangled up together. Doable but a lot harder than you initially think!

“While planting these tropical plants together can be a beautiful sight they can become easily unhealthy if you don’t have the time or the right care routine to give them their growing needs.”

How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot? Size Guide

If you are planting multiple Monstera’s in one pot you don’t want to skimp on the pot size you choose. This will make or break your Monstera’s life. Your pot needs to have enough room to host multiple root systems in one container. This will allow room for healthy growth and provide good drainage so you don’t have to deal with root rot down the road.

In general, the container you choose should at least provide 2–3 inches of extra space around the combined root balls of multiple Monsteras in one pot.  This will give all the root systems enough room to grow and expand without becoming overcrowded too quickly.

How to choose the right pot size

Material

Believe it or not container material makes a difference. Terracotta pots are great if you struggle with overwatering your plants. They help prevent waterlogging and allow the soil to dry out faster than other pots. Plastic pots are generally lighter in weight than other pots and will retain moisture for longer periods. This can help if you live in dry climates. Ceramic pots are known for style and sturdiness! However, these containers will require proper drainage holes so your plant does not get waterlogged.

Drainage

When it comes to any plant, especially tropical ones drainage is crucial for development and health. Monsteras need well-draining soil in order to not only thrive but survive, especially if you’re growing more than one in the same container. Make sure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom for excess water to run out of. Either buy a container with pre-made drainage holes or drill some in yourself.

Depth

Monsteras grow 2 sets of roots. Aerial roots to climb and normal root systems of the plant. Both these roots need the proper depth in the pot for further growth. If you have a younger plant you can use a pot that is 12-14 inches deep and if you have older plants and planting together in one pot you should go for a container that is 16-20 inches in depth. This will make sure your roots have enough room to expand and continue absorbing enough nutrients.

Shape

Some plant lovers care about container looks, and others cannot be bothered! Both are welcome in the plant world! If you do care about appearance keep in mind that a wide, shallow pot will work best for creating a bushy appearance especially if you’re growing multiple plants in one container. If you have taller older Monsteras, a deeper pot will provide stability and will prevent your plant from tipping over especially as it continues to grow.

“Choosing the right pot will be more beneficial to your Monstera than you realize. The right pot will not only look good but will provide your tropical friend with the right health benefits for a longer healthier life!”

How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot? Care Tips

Growing multiple Monstera plants in one pot means following a strict care routine so that each pot thrives together. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining healthy Monsteras in the same container.

Pot Size and Soil: Choosing the Right Setup for Multiple Monsteras

Remember how we mentioned choosing the right pot is essential. Your container will hold the key to many health struggles so make sure you take your time and choose the right one with proper drainage. Soil is the next best thing when growing Monsteras together. A chunky soil blend with equal parts of high-quality potting soil, coco coir, orchid bark, peat moss, and perlite will improve nutrient absorption, drainage and retain the right amount of moisture for your roots.

Watering Schedule for how mANY Monstera PLANTS in One Pot?

Keep in mind that when growing multiple plants in the same container you will need to alter your watering cycle. Keeping an eye on your soil and watering only when the top 1-2 inches are dry to the touch will help with proper water retention, avoid waterlogged roots, and ensure the soil is evenly moist.

Fertilizing Multiple Monsteras in a Shared Pot

Remember that fertilizing will be a huge part of the success of your indoor jungle. When growing multiple plants in the same pot they will need more frequent feeding so that all the roots and each plant will have adequate access to the nutrients needed for new growth. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks in the spring and summer and very little in the fall and winter. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer of 8-6-6.

Lighting Needs for Monsteras Grown Together

Adequate lighting is important for any plant. The Monstera will do best in bright indirect light. Placing them in front of a sunny window with a sheer curtain in between will work wonders as it will provide bright dappled light that will mimic its natural light conditions very closely.

“Furthermore, you should always rotate your plants weekly to make sure each side is getting enough light.”

Pruning Tips for How Many Monstera plants in One Pot?

Pruning away diseased, dead, or yellowing parts of the plant will help in recovery and new growth. Otherwise, these signs of illness can spread to the other plants in the same pot and then you will have a headache to deal with!

How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot? Support

Monsteras are natural climbers as they use their aerial roots to climb to new heights. Attaching your aerial roots to a moss pole helps mimic the natural growing environment as it stretches its aerial roots out to gain extra nutrients. Remember to moisten your moss pole for easier attachment.

“To learn how to stake your Monstera to a moss pole click here!“

Mixing Monsteras: Can You Combine Them with Other Plants?

If you want to expand your indoor jungle while planting your Monstera with other plant varieties you want to plant them with others that have the same care requirements. Here are some types that have similar care requirements to Monsteras.

• Philodendrons love the same humidity levels as Monsteras.
• Pothos have the same growing environment as a lot of tropical plants.
• Calatheas share similar growing conditions as tropical plants.
• Bird of Paradise share similar watering and lighting needs.
• Boston ferns or maidenhair ferns love high humidity as do Monsteras.

Here are some varieties to avoid planting in the same pot as your Monstera due to different growing conditions.

• Cacti and Most Succulents as they like to dry out unlike Monsteras
• Plants with Shallow Root Systems like herbs and pansies will be overwatered
• Lavender or cotton as they need direct full sunlight
• Snake plants or ZZ plants as they do not do well with high humidity
• Spider plants or English ivy as they overtake whatever pot they grow in leaving no room or nutrients for your Monsteras

“By avoiding planting these plants with your Monsteras you can steer clear of a long list of health issues down the road!”

FAQs: How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot?

How Many Monstera Plants In One Pot? Is planting them together ok?

This will depend on your end goal. If you’re looking for a fuller denser jungle look then plant away! It can be a great way to make your tropical plants the focal point of the room. However, this can be tricky to keep healthy without the proper size pot as they can become rootbound much quicker.

Do monsteras like small or big pots?

When choosing the right pot you want to grab one that is larger than your current one. This will give your plant more room for the roots to expand. For smaller Monsteras you can use a pot that is between 12-14 inches deep. If you have older plants and planting them together, 16-20 inches in depth is good.

Can I plant other plants with my Monstera?

You can plant other plants with your Monstera if they have the same growing requirements. However, it’s not recommended to grow different species with the Monstera unless you are growing them with other tropical plants.

Will Monstera grow back after cutting all leaves?

After pruning your Monstera it might look a little naked to the eye! But don’t worry! New leaves will grow and often come in larger than before with bigger splits!