Monsteras grow fast, especially young ones, and you might be wondering how often you actually need to repot them. After all, some plants like to root bound, right? Because Monsteras are more forgiving than the average house plant and can grow in just about any sized pot, determining whether or not your Monstera needs to be transplanted can be tricky.
Do Monsteras like to be root bound? Not really. While Monsteras can be content while snug in their pots, they still need room to grow and soil to hold their water and nutrients. As a result, Monsteras are typically repotted every two years to prevent potential damages caused by being pot bound.
While Monsteras grow to be huge regardless of their pot size, it is important to be aware of when your plant is pot bound. Monitoring your plant and being deliberate about the choices concerning whether or not your growing Monstera should be transplanted is an important part of keeping a healthy and happy plant.
What Does Root Bound Mean?
While this subject can be a bit tricky to navigate, I believe we need to define the term “root bound” or “pot bound” first before deciding whether it is good or bad. When a plant is root bound, the root system is being constricted by the container it is in. That means that even though the plant is attempting to continue expanding and growing, it is restricted and cannot do so.
This is characterized by roots that wrap around themselves or circle the bottom of the pot, creating a dense mass of tangled roots, which leaves no room for soil, water, or oxygen. These same roots often grow out of the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot as they try to extend their reach.
On the flip side, a plant is not root bound just because it has roots touching the sides or bottom of the container – that is completely normal. The issue arises when the ratio of roots to soil becomes heavily weighted to either side. Too many roots and not enough soil can stunt growth, but too much soil for a small root system retains too much water and may cause other issues.
Being root bound comes with potentially harmful consequences, the biggest of which is dehydration. Soil is designed to hold water and nutrients for the plant, but when the roots get too big, there is no room for the soil. As a result, instead of retaining water, the lack of soil causes the water to go right through the plant. This can lead to stunted growth or damaged roots.
Like any plant, Monsteras need oxygen, soil, and water to thrive. If the container your Monstera is planted in begins to restrict its ability to access those things, you’ve got a problem on your hands. You will either need to prune back the root system or transplant the Monstera to a larger pot.
How To Check to See If Your Monstera is Rootbound?
There are several signs that your plant is heavily root bound. Without removing the plant from its container, the clearest indicator is that your plant is showing symptoms of being underwatered. As previously mentioned, if the roots get too big, they begin to displace the soil and cannot hold onto water no matter how much you give it. If the water runs out as soon as you put it onto the Monstera, your plant may be root bound.
If you begin to notice your plant drooping despite watering it, grab your plant and inspect the roots. If your Monstera is still in its nursery pot, simply take it out and inspect the bottom. If your plant is pot bound, the roots will most likely be poking out of the bottom drainage holes.
If your plant is not in a nursery pot or you are not sure if your Monstera is root bound enough to actually repot it, turn the pot to its side and try to ease it out. Do not tug on the plant but rather attempt to slide it from the container. If the roots are in a tangled mass that takes the shape of the pot they are in, and you don’t see much soil left, your Monstera is definitely pot bound.
What To Do If Your Monstera is Rootbound?
Monsteras are forgiving plants that don’t mind being a little cramped. However, because they grow rather vigorously and have an extensive root system that appreciates space to grow, it is essential to be mindful of when to upgrade into a larger pot.
My own Monstera was relatively root bound, but it seemed to be fine– it was still producing new leaves, and it was upright and happy. But if the roots are getting bigger, that means that the plant is getting bigger, too. I had two choices: I could either keep it confined or allow it to do what it wanted to do: grow.
I decided it was time to transplant it, so I moved it to a larger container. It almost instantly rewarded me with a ton of new growth. So while it wasn’t suffering in its restricted pot, it certainly wasn’t growing as much as it wanted to.
In the end, it’s up to you to decide how long you would like to keep your Monstera in the same container. I decided to listen to my plant and move it into a larger pot, but I could have just kept it where it was since it was still happy.
But waiting until your Monstera shows signs of being pot bound is usually not the best way to go, as it causes your plant unnecessary stress. Monitor your Monstera, be aware of the status of its root system, and upgrade it to a new pot every two years for the best results.
If it is time to repot your Monstera Deliciosa, click here to read our step-by-step guide on repotting!
Best Containers for Monstera Deliciosa
So you’ve decided it is time to repot your beloved Monstera. Now you’ve got to pick out the best pot to move it to. Drainage and pot size are the two most important factors to consider when repotting your Monstera.
As a general rule of thumb, choose a pot size one to two inches bigger and several inches deeper than the one your Monstera was previously residing in. As your Monstera gets bigger, it will probably need a moss pole for support, so it is important to keep depth in mind when choosing your pot. (Also, repotting is the perfect time to add in a stake, trellis, or pole for your Monstera to climb. For more information on that, click here.)
While Monsteras grow fast, choosing a pot that is too big can potentially kill your plant faster than being rootbound. Large pots retain water for longer and aren’t able to dry out as well between waterings. For that reason, large pots can lead to unhealthy Monsteras, and eventually root rot.
If you decide that you don’t want to upgrade in size but rather keep your Monstera in the same pot, you’ll need to cut back the roots a bit. Carefully pruning back up to one-third of the root system can allow your Monstera the room it needs to continue thriving in its current pot.
Since Monsteras are subject to root rot, choosing a pot with plenty of drainage holes is essential. Drainage holes allow excess water to flow out of the soil and keep your plant from retaining too much water.
Once Monsteras start to mature, your plant should be content for several years as long as the soil stays fertilized and rich.
Best Soil for Monstera Deliciosa
Since Monsteras are tropical plants, they thrive in soil that is rich in nutrients, holds moisture, but does not remain soggy. While regular potting soil works, people often add in peat moss, compost, or coconut fiber. If you don’t feel like creating your own soil mix, cacti/succulent mix or orchid mix works just as well to encourage proper drainage.
Keep in mind that the best time to switch up the soil and repot your Monstera is in early spring, or just before your plant enters into its growing season. For more information on the best soil for you Monstera, read this article.
To Replant or Not To Replant
As I have mentioned throughout this article, it is ultimately up to you whether or not you want to repot your root-bound Monstera. Monsteras do not mind being confined to their pots, but they won’t reach their full potential unless they have room to grow.
While they are resilient and don’t mind their roots being snug in their pots, there still needs to be enough soil available to hold water and give the nutrients your Monstera needs. If your Monstera reaches the point where the ratio of soil to roots is off, it is time to repot. Otherwise, continue to monitor your plant using the tips above.