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My Monstera deliciosa still remains one of my favorite houseplants in my collection. When I first bought it a couple of years ago, it was just two feet tall and has now doubled in size. I made the mistake of not repotting my monstera until earlier this year and found that it had become slightly root-bound and stuck in its pot.
While its a usually an indoor plant mistake to let your houseplants become root-bound, I noticed that my monstera wasnt necessarily suffering from living in the tight quarters of a small pot. Although, some monstera leaves were starting to turn yellow, indicating that it wasnt going to cope with a lack of growing room for much longer.
So, how much do monsteras like being root-bound? While these plants are quite hardy and can get on with a smaller pot for some time, you shouldnt allow them to become severely root-bound. Heres everything you need to know.
Monstera plants are incredibly popular houseplants known for their iconic split leaves and rapid growth rate. However this quick growth can lead to a common issue – becoming root bound. So do Monstera like being root bound?
The short answer is no Monstera plants do not enjoy being root bound as it causes stress and restricts further healthy growth But what does it mean for a Monstera to be root bound exactly? Let’s take a closer look,
What Does Root Bound Mean?
When a plant becomes “root bound” it means the roots have completely filled up the pot and have nowhere else to grow. With no more room, the roots will start growing in circles along the outer edges and bottom of the pot.
Imagine wearing shoes that are way too small for your feet – pretty uncomfortable right? Now picture plant roots crammed in a pot, wrapped around each other due to lack of space. It’s an equally unpleasant situation!
The circular, tangled root growth in a too-small pot is very restrictive for the plant. Roots need room to branch out to uptake water and nutrients. Without this ability, the plant becomes stressed.
Signs Your Monstera is Root Bound
How can you tell if your Monstera has become root bound? Here are some key signs to look out for:
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Slowed growth rate – lack of new leaves and smaller leaf size.
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Leaves yellowing or browning.
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Soil drying out very quickly after watering.
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Roots growing out of drainage holes at bottom of pot.
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Pot feels very lightweight when lifted – little soil left.
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Visible thick root mass circling edges of pot.
If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s time to take action to give your Monstera more room!
Why Being Root Bound is Bad for Monstera
Now that we know what root bound means, why exactly is it bad for Monsteras? There are a few key reasons:
1. Restricts water and nutrient uptake
With roots crammed and unable to spread out, the plant cannot properly absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil. This leads to deficiencies.
2. Causes stress
The restriction physically stresses the plant. Roots pressing against the walls of the pot also causes stress.
3. Stunts growth
Lack of space, water and nutrients means the plant focuses energy on survival rather than new growth.
4. More susceptibility to pests/disease
The stress of being root bound makes the plant more vulnerable to problems like mites, fungus gnats and bacterial infections.
5. Pot may crack
The expanding root mass can actually cause plastic pots to crack or split open.
At What Age Do Monstera Become Root Bound?
Monstera growth rate depends on factors like light levels and time of year. But generally:
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Young Monsteras may become root bound in their first year.
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Older plants can become root bound in 2-3 years.
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Fast growing varieties root bound quicker than slow growers.
Pay attention to your plant’s growth speed. Faster growers will likely need more frequent repotting to stop root binding issues arising.
Do Monstera Like Being Root Bound?
Given all the problems it causes, the answer is no. Monstera do not like being root bound at all.
They will tolerate it better than some delicate houseplants. But root restriction goes against their natural growth habit and need to spread roots out to support themselves.
While they can survive short term, long term root binding will impact the health, vigor and growth rate of your Monstera. Take action before major stress symptoms arise.
How To Fix A Root Bound Monstera
If you discover your Monstera is root bound, don’t panic! The solution is relatively straightforward. You have two options:
1. Repot Into Larger Container
Carefully remove from current pot and gently loosen any circling roots. Select a pot 2 inches larger in diameter and repot with fresh potting mix.
2. Divide Plant & Pot Separately
Divide congested root ball into two or more plants, ensuring each division has enough roots and leaves to survive. Repot divisions individually.
Either approach gives your Monstera the root room it needs to grow happily again. Follow these steps:
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Water plant thoroughly one day before repotting to moisten soil.
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Remove from current pot and gently loosen any tangled roots by hand.
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Prune off any dead or rotting roots.
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Prepare new pots filled 2/3 with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
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Place plant in pot so root ball sits just below rim. Fill gaps with more mix.
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Water well until it drains from the bottom.
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Keep out of direct sun while it recovers from repotting stress.
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Resume normal care once new growth appears.
Be sure to monitor moisture levels carefully after repotting. The disturbed roots will need extra time to re-establish in their new soil environment.
Preventing Monstera From Becoming Root Bound
While dealing with a root bound plant is important, prevention is even better! Here are some tips:
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When repotting, choose a pot allowing for future growth. Go 2 inches bigger in diameter than previous pot.
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Repot young Monsteras yearly. Mature plants every 2-3 years.
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Inspect roots occasionally for circular growth indicating lack of space.
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If growth significantly slows, check for root binding.
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Splitting overgrown plants regularly keeps root balls under control.
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Use well draining, moisture retaining soil to encourage root spreading.
Keeping up with your Monstera’s root development will ensure you spot any potential problems early and can take action.
While Monstera plants are quite forgiving, allowing them to remain root bound for too long will negatively impact their health. Slowed growth, yellowing leaves and root issues indicate it’s time to repot or divide the plant.
Providing adequate space for root expansion is crucial. Repot before severe stress symptoms arise for optimal plant health. With the right preventative care and occasional root pruning, you can help your Monstera avoid the pitfalls of being root bound!
Do monsteras like being root-bound?
Monsteras are tropical indoor plants that, like orchids, have aerial roots as well as roots that grow in soil. You might notice these aerial roots grow from the stems of your monstera where they are exposed to air. However, the roots that sit beneath the surface of soil require nutrients from a rich potting mix. Thats why its important to repot your monstera as it becomes larger, so the roots can continue growing. But how long will a monstera stay happy as a root-bound plant?
What happens when a monstera becomes root-bound? (Image credit: Cavan Images via Getty Images)
Root-bound refers to when a potted plants roots have formed a dense, tangled mass that prevents further growth. It happens when a plant is growing too large for its pot and is also referred to a plant becoming pot-bound.
Monsteras like to be slightly root-bound and this is a good general rule for most indoor plants, says Raffaele Di Lallo, plant expert from Ohio Tropics. But it would be best not to allow your plant to get severely root-bound.
The more root-bound a plant gets, the more quickly the potting mix will dry out and you may reach a point where it will be difficult to keep your plant hydrated, he adds.
As a result of your monstera not receiving sufficient moisture, you may notice discolouring leaves and your monstera drooping, as well as a lack of new growth.
I find this soil moisture meter from Amazon useful for indicating whether my monstera has sufficient moisture or needs topping up. If your monstera is drying out more quickly than before, it might be a sign that it is becoming root-bound.
Raffaele Di Lallo is the founder of the blog Ohio Tropics which focuses on the care of houseplants and other tropical plants, both indoors and outdoors. He has a large following on Instagram where he gives plant care tips and is the author of Houseplant Warrior: 7 Keys to Unlocking the Mysteries of Houseplant Care, published by Countryman Press.
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