How to Create the Ideal Monstera Soil Mix

Finding…

or creating the perfect monstera soil mix can make or break your indoor jungle. If your monstera is having all kinds of issues like yellowing leaves, brown spots, slow growth, or dead foliage it might be your soil. In this guide, we will go through the perfect soil mix for your monstera, how to DIY the perfect blend, and some tips and tricks to keep your indoor oasis in perfect condition!

What Makes the Best Monstera Soil Mix

Monsteras are rainforest plants which means they grow up other plants with their aerial roots. They are resilient plants meaning realistically they can grow in anything. I mean anything, one time I saw someone growing a monstera in random soil mixed in with literal garbage pieces and the plant was flourishing….so a very resilient plant!

“You can make a soil mix of your own the only thing a Monstera plant needs to thrive is well draining soil that provides aeration and good water retention.”

However, getting the right soil mixture will help your plant thrive that much more. Coco coir, orchid bark, or perlite are great options to create a soil mixture. You can mix some indoor potting mix with one part coco coir, one part orchid bark, and one part perlite. This combination will give your monstera the right amount of drainage, moisture retention, and available nutrients.

How to Create the Best Monstera Soil Mix at Home

To create the best soil blend for your Monstera it needs some basic components. Good drainage is key to avoid root diseases, coconut coir is optimal for water retention for your roots to have access to moisture, and perlite as it adds structure to your soil and creates air pockets for water to run through and the roots to have oxygen. Here’s how you can create the ideal soil blend at home.

DIY Monstera Soil Mix Recipe: Step-by-Step

To make the best soil mix for your monstera you can mix any indoor potting mix with

• 5 parts orchid bark
• 4 parts coco coir
• 5 parts perlite
• 2 parts activated charcoal
• 2 parts worm castings

1. Mix all the above ingredients into a big pot or container, with enough room to mix it all
2. Fill your new Monstera container with this homemade soil mix. Make sure you leave enough room at the top for watering
3. Place your monstera into the new pot, if you need help repotting your monstera click here
4. Water your freshly repotted monstera enough that some water runs out the bottom of your drainage holes

“Alternatively you could also do equal parts of all these ingredients instead of measuring them into parts. The end goal is a soil that is chunkier rather than dense and smooth.“

I love this Monstera soil mix. It gives the roots enough structure and aeration. It prevents root rot as the bark helps create air pockets in the soil so your roots are not just constantly sitting in water.

How to Adjust Soil pH for Monstera Soil Mix

Every plant has the specific soil pH that it prefers. Monsteras prefer their soil pH to be between 5.5 and 7. They are resilient plants but they do not do well for long periods of time in very acidic or alkaline soil mixtures. If you ever need to adjust your soil pH you can add things like lime which raises the pH or sulfur to lower it. You can also get a pH testing kit to help with your pH level.

Soil pH is important in growing a tropical plant. It provides the nutrients and balance of bacteria in the soil. This helps develop new growth and stronger stems and roots.

“Monsteras natural soil pH range is between 5.5-7 as is found in the rainforests. Mimicking this soil pH will give your tropical plant the nutrients it needs through this pH range.“

Pre-Made vs. DIY Monstera Soil Mix: Which is Better?

Either a pre-bought or homemade soil mixture can work for your monstera plant. The important thing to remember with either mix is you want it to have good drainage. This will prevent root rot. With either mixture make sure there is either some perlite or orchid bark mixed into it. This will give the soil good structure and aeration for your roots.

Having a watering schedule that leaves your soil consistently moist instead of soaking wet is beneficial. Monsteras thrive in dense, nutrient-rich soil so remember to fertilize and keep the soil nutrient-dense.

Common Mistakes When Mixing Soil for Monstera Plants

There are always things that can go wrong when growing a monstera. A common monstera soil mix mistake is only using an indoor potting mix without mixing other nutrients. Adding extras like orchid bark or perlite will help give the soil structure and nutrients.

“Remember to use a big enough pot that will give room for your roots to continue expanding especially with the new soil blend.“

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Using only indoor potting mix will become too dense for your monstera and will get too compacted for your roots to thrive. This will lead to too much moisture retention and root rot or diseases.
• Repotting too early is also another thing to watch out for. Repotting your monstera too soon can throw off the soil-to-roots ratio. Too much soil around a small root ball can lead to too much water retention which will cause root diseases.
• Skipping ingredients like perlite or orchid bark that help with aeration. Skipping these “chunky” ingredients will make your soil to compacted and dense were it can’t drain water efficiently. This will lead to root diseases like root rot.
• Reusing old soil. Whenever you create a soil blend or repot your plant you always want to make sure you are using fresh soil. This will replenish any nutrients that have been already absorbed and will prevent any diseases or infestations from growing further.

By avoiding these mistakes you can create a healthy nutrient dense soil blend that your Monstera will thrive in! Remember to add some coconut coir. This helps retain a good amount of moisture for the roots without causing root rot and other diseases.

Tips for Maintaining the Perfect Soil Conditions for Your Monstera

There are some easy things to keep in your care routine to help perfect your soil conditions for your Monstera. By keeping up with these your soil health will prevent your plant from having to deal with diseases and bugs down the line. Here are some tips to help your monstera not only thrive but grow new foliage and develop a stronger root system.

Quick Tips

• Having a well-draining monstera soil mix
• Keeping a humid environment
• Nutrient-dense soil with fertilizer
• Adding orchid bark to the soil
• Creating a consistent watering schedule for your Monstera soil mix
• Frequent misting
• Indirect bright light
• Regular pruning to encourage new growth

“Creating a healthy soil blend is not hard it just takes knowledge! Which you now have! Remember that the end goal is always a chunkier soil rather than a smooth one. Chunkier soil blends are healthier for the roots as it provides good drainage and aeration.”

How to revive a monstera with root rot caused by poor soil mix?

Root rot sucks let’s be honest. Seeing your tropical plant struggling is never a fun feeling. You can fix root rot if it’s caught early on. Cutting away any mushy, black or rotting roots will help it from spreading to your plants whole root system. If it’s caught early on you can save your plant but left untreated your plant will eventually not have enough strength to fight it off. Here is how to treat root rot.

How to Treat Root Rot

• Remove the plant from the soil
• Trim away any damaged or rotting roots and leaves with sterile shears
• Repot the plant in fresh soil mix, do not reuse the old soil
• Use containers that have drainage holes to help prevent further root rot
• Make sure you put your monstera plant where it will receive indirect bright light

“Reusing the old soil can bring back any diseases you just tried to get rid of. Make sure you always use fresh soil when repotting especially if treating an infestation or diseases.”

Once you have fixed your roots you want to throw out the soil it was in. Do not repot it in the same soil this will bring back anything your plant was struggling with. Wash your pot to kill any fungus or bacteria and repot with a fresh soil mixture.

What to do if your soil dries out too fast?

If your Monstera’s soil is drying out too fast in between waterings this means you are underwatering. Water your monstera enough so water drains out the bottom of your drainage holes. You can water your plant, let it soak in, and then water it again. Repeat this cycle until your soil is moist from top to bottom but not that it is drowning.

“Adding coconut coir into your soil mix will help retain a good amount of moisture without causing root rot.“

Let it sit for a day and recheck the soil, if it’s on the drier side again repeat the cycle till it’s evenly moist. If your soil has become very dry from underwatering you might need to repeat this cycle a few times. Adding a layer of mulch on top of your soil will also help retain soil moisture for longer periods of time however if using mulch make sure you don’t start overwatering. You can always check your soil moisture by sticking your finger 1-2 inches into the soil to see if its dry or damp.

FAQ: How to Create the Ideal Monstera Soil Mix

Should I Put My Monstera In Soil Or Leca?

If you’re up for a new adventure you can try leca balls instead of soil for your monstera. Leca balls are a hydroponic growing method. Using leca balls is a great option for those plant lovers who struggle with overwatering. They are a lot less messy than soil. These clay pebbles can provide great moisture without the worry of overwatering, and provide great air for the root system.

Can I use regular potting soil for my Monstera?

A quality potting mix with peat moss or orchid bark will help drainage. Monsteras love nutrient-dense soil and remember to have drainage holes for any excess water.

Why is orchid bark important in a Monstera soil mix?

Orchid soil or bark is a great base for your monstera plant. It provides great drainage for your root system. To make it even better you will want to add some coco coir, peat moss, or regular indoor potting mix to help retain some moisture. This mixture will provide your monstera with the right balance of consistent moisture and nutrient-dense growing conditions.

Is Charcoal Good For My Monstera?

Believe it or not charcoal is good for your monstera. At its base level charcoal is carbon that’s been burned. It’s made from wood, and all-natural as it provides great nutrients to the soil. Charcoal helps your soil structure by adding great aeration and drainage. It also helps prevent root rot as it absorbs any excess moisture in the soil.

As it is an all-natural soil addition when it breaks down over time it will add great nutrition to the soil giving your monstera plant the needed nutrition for new growth and good foliage development.

Is Vermiculite Good For Monstera Soil?

Yes! Vermiculite is great for adding aeration to your soil for your roots. It retains moisture and provides necessary nutrients. Make sure you use it in moderation as too much vermiculite in the soil will cause waterlogging which will lead to root issues.

Now your are ready to mix the perfect soil for your Monstera! Try it out and share your experience in the comments! Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask us, and don’t forget to check out our other plant care guides!