How to Repot a Monstera: A Simple Step-By-Step Guide

Co-authored by Lindsey Swett and Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

If your monstera is getting too big for its pot, it's probably time to transplant. Monsteras don't require a lot of maintenance, but they need repotting if the roots are growing out of the pot or the soil dries out quickly. If you're ready, get your gardening supplies and read on—we'll show how easy repotting a monstera is.

Things You Should Know

Repot your monstera when the soil looks dry or compacted, if it's become rootbound, or if the plant is too large for its pot.
To transplant your monstera, fill a new pot with well-draining soil and put the plant in it. Top up the soil and press down before you water.
Plan on repotting your monstera every 2 years, unless it's a young plant. Repot young plants at least once a year as they put on lots of growth.

1

Get a pot that’s 1 size larger.

Choose a pot that's 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) larger than the root ball. Look at the width of the pot that the monstera's in and get a new pot that's 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) wider so your monstera has room to grow. Check that there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot so water won't become trapped and make the roots rot.^{[1]
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- Plastic pots are a great lightweight option that are also inexpensive and easy to find.
- Choose porous pots like clay pots or terracotta pots if you like the aesthetic. Keep in mind that these can be heavy and hard to move.

2

Take your monstera out of its pot.

Water the plant to moisten the soil and lay the pot on its side. Gently grip the cluster of stems with 1 hand and slowly pull away the pot with your other hand. If the pot is plastic, you can squeeze it gently to help loosen the soil and roots from the container.^{[2]
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- If you're repotting your monstera inside, spread out a tarp to contain the mess.
- If you're having a hard time getting the monstera out of the pot, take a small trowel and work it into the soil around the sides of the pot. This can loosen the roots enough to get the plant out.

3

Fill 1/3 of the new pot with well-draining soil.

Mix 3 parts potting soil with 2 parts perlite and put some into the pot. To check if you've added enough well-draining soil, set the monstera in the pot—the top of the root ball should be 2 inches (5.1 cm) from the top of the pot. If it's not, remove the plant and adjust the soil level.^{[3]
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- Perlite keeps the soil light and loose so it doesn't hold onto moisture that can rot the roots.
- If your plant struggles with root rot, use a custom monstera mix that doesn't contain soil. Mix 3 parts bark with 3 parts pumice, 3 parts coir, 1 part charcoal, and 1 part worm castings.

4

Add a moss pole if you want to give the plant vertical support.

Push a moss pole into the soil so it goes to the bottom of the pot. The moss pole mimics the trees that monsteras typically grow onto. If your plant is getting top-heavy or it's got lots of aerial roots, a moss pole gives it something to cling to as it grows—just hold thicker stems against the pole and secure them with soft plant ties.^{[4]
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- As an alternative to a moss pole, use bamboo stakes.

5

Put the monstera in the pot and backfill with soil.

Center the monstera and scoop soil around the root ball. Keep adding your soil mix until you've covered the roots. Then, use your hands to pat the soil down so it's packed in place. If the soil looks low after you do this, top it up with a little more of the mix.^{[5]
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- If your monstera is really big and difficult to handle, ask a friend to help you get it into the pot or hold up the leaves while you fill the pot with soil mix.

6

Water your monstera thoroughly.

Water the plant until water runs out of the drainage holes. The amount of time this takes depends on how large your plant is and how much soil is in the pot. The monstera's roots need moist soil, so it's really important to water the plant since the new soil is dry. After your first watering, wait 1 to 2 weeks before you water the monstera again—water the plant until water runs out of the drainage holes. Try to keep a consistent watering schedule to help your monstera thrive.^{[6]
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- For instance, water your monstera once a week after you've repotted it.
- Don't let the soil dry out completely between waterings. The soil should be slightly moist, but not soaking wet.

7

Wait 1 month before you resume a fertilizing schedule.

Give the roots time to establish before you feed the plant liquid fertilizer. If you fertilize a newly-potted monstera, the fertilizer can burn the roots. To keep your plant happy, wait a month. Then, add liquid fertilizer to water according to the manufacturer's directions and use it every time you water during the spring and summer.^{[7]
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- Use a liquid fertilizer that has a 5-2-3 (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) ratio so your monstera gets the nutrients it needs.

8

Repot your monstera in the spring.

Repotting the plant before the growing season gives the roots time to grow. Your monstera has its busiest growth period in the spring and summer, which makes it a prime time to repot. Plan on repotting your monstera every 2 years because it will continue to outgrow its pot.^{[8]
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- If you don't want to wait until spring, you can repot the monstera during fall or winter, although the plant might struggle to get established.
- If the soil dries out really quickly, especially after you've recently watered, or the surface looks hard and compacted, it's a good idea to repot.
- Make sure that your monstera gets bright, indirect light wherever you place it.

Expert Q&A

Question

Where do Monstera plants like to be?

Lindsey Swett
Plant Specialist
Lindsey Swett is a Plant Specialist and the Owner of Niche Plant Shop in Boston, Massachusetts. She has over a decade of experience working in several plant settings, including golf courses, public parks, and commercial garden centers. Her focus now is on helping plant owners care for their indoor plants. Lindsey holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from The University of Michigan.

Lindsey Swett

Plant Specialist

Expert Answer

Monstera plants like being in places with indirect sunlight. Try putting your plant in a place where it'll get a wide range of light qualities, like a window that gets light from different directions—this gives you a more interesting variation on the leaves. Never keep your Monstera in a low-lit area, because you'll lose out on that variation.