Monstera plants are popular indoor plants known for their striking foliage and easy maintenance. They grow faster than other plants, meaning if you place them in a small pot, they will likely outgrow the pot fast.
When the plant is growing, even the roots are developing. So, if you don’t notice the growth, the roots will mostly get affected. When a monstera plant is left in the same pot for too long, it can become root bound, meaning that the roots have outgrown the pot and are densely packed, making it difficult for the plant to absorb nutrients and water.
So, can you fix a root bound monstera plant? Fortunately, fixing a root bound monstera is a relatively simple process that can be done in a few easy steps. The key is to repot the plant into a larger pot with fresh soil, allowing the roots to spread out and take in the necessary nutrients and water. With a little bit of care and attention, your monstera can thrive once again and continue to add beauty to your indoor space.
What does a root bound monstera plant mean?
A root bound monstera plant refers to a situation where the roots of the monstera have grown to the point that they are densely packed and circling around the inside of the pot. When a plant is root bound, it means that it has outgrown its current container, and the roots cannot spread out and absorb the necessary nutrients and water from the soil.
A root bound monstera can display various symptoms, including stunted growth, yellowing or browning leaves, wilting, and a general lack of vigor. If left untreated, a severely root bound monstera can eventually lead to the death of the plant.
You can fix a root bound monstera by repotting the plant into a larger container with fresh soil. This will give the roots the space they need to spread out and grow properly, allowing the plant to absorb the necessary nutrients and water to thrive. Also, ensure that you provide your monstera with the right amount of light, water, and nutrients to keep it healthy and happy.
Can a monstera grow when root bound?
While a root bound monstera can still technically grow, the growth will likely be stunted or slowed down. When a monstera becomes root bound, the roots are densely packed in the pot and may not have enough space to spread out and absorb nutrients and water from the soil.
Without nutrients from the roots, the plant leaves will turn yellow and wilt. If left untreated, a severely root bound monstera can eventually lead to the death of the plant.
How can you tell when a monstera is root bound?
When a plant has problems, it’s hard not to notice them unless you are away from the plant, and don’t monitor it daily. There are a few signs that can indicate when a monstera is root bound and needs to be repotted. Let’s look at these signs.
- Roots visible on the surface:
As the roots of a monstera grow and become crowded, they may start to appear on the surface of the soil or even protrude from the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
- Difficulty watering:
If the soil in the pot seems to dry out quickly after watering or water starts to pool on the surface without being absorbed, it may be a sign that the roots are too tightly packed to allow for proper drainage and absorption.
- Stunted growth:
If your monstera is not growing or producing new leaves as quickly as it should, it may be a sign that the roots are constricted and unable to take in enough water and nutrients.
- Yellowing or browning leaves:
When a monstera is root bound, the roots may not be able to absorb the necessary nutrients from the soil, leading to yellowing or browning of the leaves.
- The plant is pushing against the pot:
In some cases, a root bound monstera may start to push against the sides of the pot as the roots try to expand, causing the pot to bulge or crack.
- Drainage holes are filled with roots:
When roots are growing, and they don’t have enough space in the soil to grow, they will start growing out through the drainage holes.
How to examine the Monstera root system
To examine the root system of your monstera, you will need to carefully remove the plant from its pot. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Water your monstera a day or two before you plan to repot it. This will help the soil hold together better and make removing the plant from the pot easier.
- Choose a work area that is easy to clean and has plenty of space to work. You should cover the area with a tarp or newspaper to make cleanup easier.
- Gently tip the pot on its side and slide the monstera out. You may need to use a small shovel or trowel to help loosen the soil from the sides of the pot.
- Carefully remove any loose soil from the roots to expose the root system. You may need to use your hands or a soft-bristled brush to remove the soil without damaging the roots.
- Examine the roots of the monstera. If the roots are densely packed and circling around the pot, the plant is likely root bound and needs to be repotted into a larger container.
When examining, check if the roots are tangled together or have taken the container’s shape. Another sign is when the roots are large and have little to no soil. Fortunately, you can fix this problem easily.
How do you fix monstera root bound?
Once you examine your plant, you can tell whether it’s root bound or has another problem. If it’s root bound, then you need to move it to a bigger pot. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Choose a pot that is one or two sizes larger than the current pot. Make sure the pot has drainage holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain away.
- Prepare a high-quality potting mix that is rich in organic matter and well-draining. You can make your own mix using a combination of peat moss, perlite, and/or vermiculite, or you can purchase a potting mix.
- Water your monstera a day or two before you plan to repot it. It ensures the soil is held together when removing it from the pot.
- Gently remove the monstera from its current pot and carefully loosen any tangled or circling roots. If there are dead or damaged roots, trim them with sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears.
- Place a layer of fresh potting mix in the bottom of the new pot, making sure it is level and even.
- Place the monstera in the center of the pot and fill in around the sides with more potting mix, making sure to leave a little space at the top for watering.
- Gently tamp down the soil around the roots to remove any air pockets.
- Water the monstera thoroughly until water drains out the bottom of the pot.
- Place your monstera in a location with bright, indirect light and monitor the soil moisture levels. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
After moving the plant into a new pot, give it time to recover. Ensure you care for it during this period, and it has no problem. If it is affected by a problem, it can go into transplant shock, which can kill it.
How do you split a root bound monstera?
If your monstera is severely root bound and you do not have a pot that is large enough to accommodate the plant, you can split it into two or more smaller plants. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Choose a healthy and mature monstera plant that is at least 2–3 years old and has a well-developed root system.
- Gently remove the monstera from its current pot and carefully loosen any tangled or circling roots. If there are dead or damaged roots, trim them with sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears.
- Use a clean and sharp pair of pruning shears or a serrated knife to cut the plant into sections. Ensure each section has at least two to three healthy leaves and a well-developed root system.
- Place each section into its own pot with fresh potting mix, gently spread out the roots and add soil around the sides to hold the plant in place.
- Water each section thoroughly until water drains out the bottom of the pot.
You can practice this process only once for a single plant. The next time the plant is root bound, you must repot it in a bigger pot. But the key is giving the roots enough space to grow.
Also, when pruning roots, ensure that you don’t remove more than one-third of the roots for the main plant. Removing extra roots will cause the plant stress because it won’t have enough roots to supply nutrients and water.
How to keep monstera from getting root bound?
Sometimes it’s easier to prevent than to fix a problem. The same applies to root bound monstera, you can avoid it by repotting the plant once a year. It will ensure that your plant is healthy and thriving.
If you have older plants, you can repot them every 2 to 3 years because they don’t need too much soil to grow.
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