Monstera deliciosa Revival and Repotting

If you have a Monstera deliciosa that needs to be revived, this video will show you how. See the Monstera repotted, and learn how to revive one.

#MonsteraDeliciosa #PlantCare #Repotting #Houseplants #IndoorGardening #TropicalPlants #HealthyHouseplants #GardeningTips #UrbanJungle #PlantLovers

Video Transcript

Hello, and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening and the great indoors! If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below.

Today, we are going to repot a Monstera deliciosa that really needs a repotting. Someone I know had this plant, and the pot was chosen a while back. They hadn’t gotten around to repotting it and finally asked me if I could do it. I thought, “Yes, that’ll make a great video too,” because I don’t have one yet where I’m repotting one of these beauties.

This is a juvenile Monstera, and as you can see, it’s still in good shape. One of the reasons it’s still in good shape is that there is room below where the roots were able to get excess water. Monsteras love water since they are from tropical rainforests, where they are used to lots of moisture and humidity. This setup worked for it, although it’s not ideal because the plant is starting to yellow slightly, and it’s not growing much—it’s pretty much staying the same. So, it does need to be repotted into a larger pot.

I’m not sure if this pot is going to be big enough since it’s been a while, but I do have another pot. The person I’m repotting this for is particular about colors, so I’m hoping one of these options will work. The good news is that Monsteras don’t like to be root-bound, meaning they don’t like to be too tight in their pots. This pot may work, given how many roots this guy has grown. I’ll take it out of the pot and then determine which pot to use.

I’ve already prepared the soil by moistening it. You should always pot up with moistened soil. Planting in dry soil makes it hard to keep the plant up, and once you water after repotting in dry soil, the plant can sink and won’t be at the right level in the pot anymore. This could cause problems, so it’s important to have moist but not soggy soil. The soil should be wet enough to form a loose ball that can be easily broken up.

I’m also adding some of my green gourmet houseplant food, which is a really good organic mix. I also have some worm castings and worm compost that I’ll add to give the plant something extra to work with.

Now, it’s time to get the plant out of the pot. The plant was watered prior to repotting, which is important because plants can go into a little bit of shock after repotting and won’t be taking up much water at that point. You definitely don’t want the plant to be droughted before repotting.

I may need to cut the plant out of the pot because the roots are probably too big to come out of the pot holes at this point. It’s good that we’re repotting now, as the plant needs it.

I’ll start by carefully cutting into the pot to release the roots. It’s not always easy with thicker plastic, but I’ll take care not to damage the roots. Some roots may come out, but others are too long and will need to be cut out carefully. After some work, I’ve managed to remove the plant from the pot. As you can see, there’s a lot of root mass.

When potting up, you generally want two-thirds root mass to one-third soil. However, since Monsteras don’t like to be root-bound, I may use a slightly larger pot. This pot might not have as much extra soil as I’d like, but I think it will work.

Now that I’ve determined the right pot, I’ll begin the repotting process. I’ll put some soil at the bottom of the pot, about two to three inches. You want the surface of the soil to be about a quarter-inch below the rim, so the water doesn’t overflow when you water it.

I’ll work the roots into the new soil, making sure there are no air pockets. Air pockets can cause roots to dry out and die, which can lead to root rot. I’ll keep filling in the soil around the sides until the plant is securely in place.

After planting, it’s important to water until the water comes out of the drainage hole. This ensures the soil is fully soaked, and the plant is well-hydrated. The plant may take a week or two to acclimate and start growing again.

Once the plant is settled, I’ll add a moss pole to help the Monstera grow upright, as it naturally would in the wild. I’ll attach the plant to the pole to support its growth.

The repotted Monstera deliciosa is now looking much better in its new pot. Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video. Hit the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.

FAQ's -Monstera deliciosa Revival and Repotting 101

FAQ: Repotting a Monstera Deliciosa

Why does my Monstera Deliciosa need repotting?

Monstera Deliciosa needs repotting when it starts showing signs like yellowing leaves and stunted growth. These indicate that the plant has outgrown its current pot and needs more space for its roots.

How do I choose the right pot for repotting my Monstera?

Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current one. Ensure it has good drainage, as Monsteras do not like to be root-bound but also need to avoid sitting in water.

Should I use moist soil when repotting?

Yes, always use moist but not soggy soil when repotting. Moist soil helps the plant settle better in its new pot and prevents it from sinking after the first watering.

Can I use any type of soil for repotting?

It’s best to use a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil mix. Adding organic matter like worm castings or a good organic houseplant food can also benefit the Monstera.

How do I safely remove the Monstera from its old pot?

If the roots are tightly bound, carefully cut into the pot to release the roots without damaging them. Gently remove the plant, trying to keep as many roots intact as possible.

How deep should I plant the Monstera in the new pot?

Place about two to three inches of soil at the bottom of the new pot. The surface of the soil should be about a quarter-inch below the rim of the pot to prevent overflow when watering.

How do I prevent air pockets when repotting?

Work the soil around the roots carefully to eliminate air pockets. This prevents roots from drying out and reduces the risk of root rot.

When should I water the Monstera after repotting?

Water the plant thoroughly immediately after repotting until water comes out of the drainage holes. This ensures the soil is fully soaked and the plant is well-hydrated.