Issa – Page 8 – Indoor Plant Hub

Do you have a monstera deliciosa? Do you want to know how to take care of aerial roots and when to repot a monstera plant? If yes, you are in the right place. Monstera (also known as the Swiss Cheese plant), grows in tropical forests. Still, it is a tropical plant that you can grow inside your home. Now, there will be some repotting requirements. And, it’s important to know when and how to repot, to ensure the proper growth of your plant. It is recommended that you repot your monstera plant every couple of years. To make the process easy and less time-consuming, understanding the humidity requirements and sunlight exposure, would be beneficial. It is also worth mentioning that extra care is taken when repotting big plants. So be sure to have a larger pot to ensure new growth and prevent any adverse conditions. The best thing about the monstera deliciosa is that it can grow well in the same pot for about two years. After two years, you will have to use a new pot and fresh soil to repot the plant. As these plants do not have solid trunks, you might need a moss pole to offer support to your plant. Also, the monstera can grow well in indirect sunlight. Therefore, you will have to avoid direct sunlight in summer. The sunlight might cause burn marks on the leaves of your plant. Similarly, you will have to avoid darker conditions. Otherwise, the plant might not get the required support and sunlight. And as a result, will not grow properly. How Do You Know When to Repot? As mentioned earlier, your monstera will not require frequent repotting. As a rule, consider repotting every two years. However, you can check the signs that your plant will give you to know when repotting is due. You can observe the pot size, the size of the plant, and roots to know whether repotting is required or not. For example, if you notice more water retention and new leaves not sprouting, you can consider repotting. Your plant will need fresh soil and a proper pot size to grow well. Let's make it clear with more details. After Two Years The best time to repot a monstera plant is every two years. After spending two years in the same soil and pot, your plant will need new soil to have a proper growing environment. You can repot in the growing season – early spring. It is worth mentioning that you should not follow the two-year rule for young plants. The young ones will need frequent repotting since they grow fast and need a larger pot and fresh soil to support the growing needs. However, you can follow the two-year rule for old plants. Check the roots and refresh the soil through repotting. As well, take extra caution for large plants since they need more care during repotting. Here are other indicators signaling that it’s time to repot. Overgrown Roots Overgrown roots are an indication that repotting is required. If you find that the roots are coming out of the drainage holes, you can repot the plant. Some plants grow fast, so check the drainage holes to know whether it’s time to repot. When the roots look for ways to come out, it means that the pot is too small and that the current pot is not creating a suitable environment for growth. If this happens, you need to look for a larger pot to allow the roots to breathe. Also, if you avoid repotting for a long time, the plant might become rootbound. If it happens, you will face problems while repotting it in a later phase. Water Retention Water retention in the pot is another sign that the plant needs repotting. When the water does not drain well, it’s an indication that the drainage hole has roots, and the pot does not have much soil. When there is not much soil, the water will not absorb. If you do not repot the plant in that condition, the roots might become damaged due to excess water exposure. Therefore, repot the plant in a bigger pot immediately and use fresh soil. No New Growth If you have not seen any new growth in about 2 to 3 months, consider repotting your plant. A healthy monstera plant produces new leaves regularly. When there is no new growth, it is an indication that the plant needs a better environment for growth. For instance, low humidity, inadequate light, and old soil might impact the growth of the plant. When any of the above conditions are not present, go ahead and repot. In brief, it’s fair to say that if the light, water, and growing environment are favorable, you can change the pot and soil. Now that when to repot has been covered, we’ll take a look at how to repot your monstera. How do you transplant a monstera? Repot at the Right Time Growth spurts often occur in spring. Remember if you observe overgrown roots and water retention, repot the plant without a second thought. Get a New Pot You will need a bigger pot that is a bit larger in diameter. It also needs to be many inches deeper as it needs to be deep enough to hold a moss stick and support new roots. Now, the pot can’t be too big as it will hold more water, which can lead to root rot due to over-watering. Also, make sure the pot has many drainage holes to ensure proper drainage. Use Fresh Soil It’s okay to use regular potting mix. Fill ¼ of the pot with the potting mix. And add a new moss stick at this time. The potting soil will hold the moss stick properly. Remove Your Plant from Its Old Pot Gently remove your plant from its pot. This might take a bit of time. Now, if the plant does not move, shake it a little. It’s important to avoid pulling your plant too hard. If you do so, you can break the leaves, stems, and roots. If your plant is large, consider asking for assistance. One person can hold the pot, another can support the roots, and yet another person can hold the top. When the plant has a well-maintained moss pole, hold onto that pole while removing the plant. Relocate the Plant to the New Pot If you have a new stake, you can put the plant around it. If the plant has big roots, you might need to dig a deep and narrow hole carefully, and then you can insert the pole. If required, you can consider using twist ties to tie the plant to the stake. If you’re replanting and using the old moss stick, put both the roots and stick into the pot carefully. The moss stick will help to hold the new plant in the pot. Now you can add a layer of potting soil. And leave one or two inches of clearance at the top of the pot. Water and Indirect Light After relocating the plant to the new pot, water it with filtered water until it drains out into the drainage holes. If you notice that the soil is sinking a little, you can add more potting soil. It is worth mentioning that your plant will adjust fast to the new pot. After repotting, it’s important to keep your plant in a spot where it can get enough indirect light. Also, water your plant a fair bit to ensure proper growth. But you will have to avoid fertilizer for about four weeks. Your plant will require high humidity and plenty of indirect sunlight to grow. What to Avoid When Re-potting Repotting at the wrong time Repotting can help your plant to grow properly. But that does not mean that you will have to repot your plant frequently. A new plant might require regular repotting. However, the larger plants will need repotting every two years. But, when the pot is small and the roots are large, consider repotting whenever needed. Frequent Watering While you need to ensure that your plant has enough water, avoid frequent watering. Excess water can damage the root and hamper growth. Also, it’s important that the pot has many drainage holes. Without holes, the water accumulation in the pot will keep the root moist. The excess moisture is not beneficial for your plant's health. Harsh Repotting While repotting, you will have to do it gently. You should not use any pressure to remove the plant. If you do so, the roots and stems might break. Therefore, you will have to remove it gently. Enlist the help of others if the plant is large or difficult to remove. Direct Sun Exposure There is no doubt that the monstera plant needs enough indirect sun exposure for growth. However, you will have to avoid direct sun exposure. Direct sun exposure can cause burns on the leaves and stems. With regular exposure, your plant will not grow. Therefore, avoid a spot that gets plenty of direct sun exposure. Fertilizing Immediately after Repotting When repotting your plant, avoid fertilizing. The new soil will have fertilizer and can help your plant to grow. Wait for three to four weeks before you consider fertilizing. Wrapping It Up Your monstera plant will need repotting about every two years. Repotting will neither require a lot of time nor a lot of effort. All you need is a bigger pot and fresh soil. Apart from that, you will have to choose the best time. For instance, if you have small plants, you cannot wait for years. Whenever you feel that the plant is bigger than the pot, consider using a larger pot. Also, when the roots are coming out of the pot, go ahead and repot. Just remember to take your time and follow these guidelines provided.