How to Repot a Monstera Plant? – A Step-by-step Guide

Monstera plants are known for their stunning heart-shaped and sometimes split leaves, depending on what variety of plant you have. Though they are low-maintenance, it’s necessary to give monsteras the proper care to preserve their elegant foliage and ensure continuous growth.

If you’re unsure how to repot a monstera plant, read below.

Guide for Repotting Monstera

What to prepare

To create a monstera soil mix, combine equal parts of perlite and coconut coir with twice as much potting soil. You may also use charcoal, worm castings, bark, pumice, and coir in a 1:1:3:3:3 ratio.

Staking your plant with pole is optional, but it’s advisable if you’re repotting monstera with aerial roots or one that’s very tall and heavy. If you intend to use a pole, prepare some velcro strips or wires to help stake the plant down.

Steps for transplanting monstera

If your monstera’s getting too big for its pot, follow the steps below to replant it.

Step 1. Remove the monstera from its container.

Water the soil to make removing your plant easier.

Afterward, upend the pot or wiggle it to get the plant out. If you have trouble completing this step, run a knife along the rim of the pot or use a trowel to break up the soil.

Remember to grab the stems gently while removing the monstera.

Step 2. Trim off diseased roots and leaves

1. Loosen the roots of the plant with your fingers. If you see any old soil, shake it off as well.
2. Before we move on to the next step, check the monstera for moldy, rotten roots, and dead leaves, then cut them off to give your plant a fresh start.

Note that though people generally repot monsteras to encourage their growth, you may also limit their expansion by cutting off ⅓ of the roots. In this case, you won’t need to upsize your container, though it’s still wise to give it new soil.

While you’re doing this step, avoid messing with aerial stems if they’re healthy.

Step 3. Replant your large monstera.

Fill a third of the new pot with your soil mix. Put the monstera plant into the pot, followed by the moss pole if you use it.

Note that with moss pole in place, your plant will grow upwards instead of outwards, so consider whether you want a tall or bushy monstera beforehand. 

Afterward, tie the stems to the pole, and pour in more soil so that only two inches of space separate the roots from the container edge.

Tamp down the plant mix with your fingers, then water the medium until moisture drips from the drain holes. Catch the excess water with a saucer before dumping it.

When Should I Repot My Monstera?

The general recommendation is to replant a monstera every two to three years. However, the following indicators will prove more useful, since we know different plants grow at different rates:

1. The roots form circles at the bottom.
2. The soil lacks nutrients or no longer retains moisture.
3. The roots are coming out of pot through the drain holes.
4. Stagnant growth or discolored leaves despite proper care
5. Fertilizing does not improve the plant mix.
6. The foliage spread is three times bigger than the pot, making the plant wobbly.
7. Monstera plant roots growing out of pot and reaching the rim
8. The nursery or seller uses chemical fertilizers or steroids to make the plant more appealing, or there is salt in the soil. In these situations, change containers after buying.

When possible, do this task in spring or late winter before dormancy ends to minimize monstera repotting shock. Note that it’s ideal to repot monstera in summer as well, preferably on a humid day.

If your Swiss-cheese plant unfortunately has root rot, it doesn’t matter when you move it (in winter, fall, or otherwise). As early as possible would be ideal.

Read more: Steps to repot other plants such as an aloe vera plant and succulents.

Care Instructions

You already know how often to repot monstera, but how to care for the plant after replanting? Consider the tips below.

Type of Pot for Monstera

The best kind of pot for monstera is well-drained and breathable, such as those made of ceramic and terracotta. You should choose containers with a built-in saucer as well, or buy the tray separately for convenient irrigation.

When using planters without drain holes, put the monstera in plastic nursery liners to water it. Once the liquid finishes draining, transfer the nursery liner and plant into the watertight planter for display.

Last but not least, know how big of a pot you need. To reiterate what we said above, go up two to three inches in pot diameter, unless you’re pruning the montsera to control its size.

FAQs

Is the split-leaf philodendron monstera deliciosa?

Technically, no. Split-leaf philodendrons and monstera deliciosa both belong to the arum family, but they grow to different heights and have different foliage.

Monsteras, in particular, possess more sizable leaves with a smoother texture and reach 10 feet at the maximum rather than 20 feet like their counterpart.

The confusion stems from the fact that their common names are often used interchangeably. So, remember the scientific designation of split-leaf philodendrons, which is Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum.

How to grow monstera plants from cuttings?

1. Pick a stem with at least four leaves and a node, then cut your selection from the plant stalk.
2. Remove all foliage below the node, save for one leaf at the top.
3. Put the cutting in a transparent glass of water and wait for the roots to form. Change the liquid weekly until roots appear, at which point you can move the clipping from water to soil.

Conclusion

Monsteras are excellent houseplants due to their air-purifying capacity. If you know how to repot a monstera plant, caring for it the rest of the time should not be an issue.

After all, this arum doesn’t require much in terms of watering or sunlight. Provided you keep it away from your pets and curious children, it should not cause you any trouble.