Monstera deliciosa also known as the Swiss cheese plant is an easy-to-grow houseplant prized for its large, glossy leaves with signature holes and splits. With the right care, these tropical beauties can grow over 10 feet tall! One of the keys to keeping your monstera happy and healthy is using the proper potting mix. But with so many options out there, what soil does monstera like best? Keep reading this detailed guide to get the dirt on the ideal potting soil for your monstera plant.
Why Good Drainage is Crucial
Monsteras are native to the rainforests of Central America and southern Mexico. In their natural habitat, they thrive in humid conditions and frequent rainfall. However, their roots prefer well-draining soil that doesn’t stay soggy for too long. Dense, moisture-retentive soil will suffocate the roots and lead to potentially deadly root rot.
Proper drainage and aeration are must-haves for any monstera potting mix. The soil should dry out partially between waterings but still retain some moisture. Getting this balance right is the key to healthy monstera roots!
What to Look For in Monstera Potting Soil
When shopping for potting soil or making your own mix keep these characteristics in mind
-
Nutrient-rich: The soil should contain ample organic matter to nourish your monstera with a slow release of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
-
Moisture-retentive: Ingredients like cocopeat and peat moss help keep some moisture available to the roots.
-
Well-draining Coarse materials like bark chips, perlite, and horticultural charcoal improve drainage and prevent wet feet
-
Slightly acidic pH: Aim for a pH between 5.5-6.5. Peat moss can help lower pH.
-
Lightweight and aerated: Allows oxygen circulation to the roots. Perlite, vermiculite, and orchid bark create air pockets.
4 Best Store-Bought Soils for Monstera
Looking to skip the homemade mix? Here are some high quality, ready-made potting soils perfect for monstera plants:
1. FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
Made with forest humus and organic fertilizers like bat guano and earthworm castings, this rich and loamy potting mix provides steady nutrition. Coconut coir helps with moisture retention, and perlite keeps it lightweight. With a pH of 6.3 to 6.8, it’s ideal for monstera.
2. Espoma Organic Indoor Potting Mix
Formulated specifically for houseplants, this fluffy, lightweight soil contains peat moss, perlite, and horticultural charcoal. Composted bark adds nutrients while perlite and charcoal give excellent drainage and aeration for healthy monstera roots.
3. Superfly Bonsai Rooting and Growth Mediium
With equal parts potting soil, perlite, peat moss and orchid bark, this gritty mix offers great moisture retention and drainage. Just be sure to supplement with fertilizer, as it lacks nutrients. The pH hovers between 5.5 and 6.5, perfectly suited to monstera.
4. Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix
A fan favorite for houseplants, Miracle-Gro is a peat-based mix that’s lightweight, absorbent, and nutrient-rich. Compost and fertilizers provide nourishment for several months, while perlite boosts drainage. It has the slightly acidic pH range preferred by monstera plants.
5 Best DIY Monstera Soil Recipes
If you prefer to blend your own custom monstera potting mix, try one of these simple recipes:
-
2 parts potting soil, 1 part perlite, 1 part peat moss or cocopeat
-
2 parts potting soil, 2 parts orchid bark, 1 part perlite or charcoal
-
1 part potting soil, 1 part compost, 1 part peat moss, 1 part perlite
-
3 parts peat moss, 2 parts perlite, 1 part horticultural charcoal
-
1 part potting soil, 1 part coco coir, 1 part orchid bark or pine bark, 1 part perlite
Play around with different ratios to find the texture and drainage level your monstera prefers. Just remember to include a few moisture-retentive ingredients like peat and at least one chunky amendment like perlite for aeration.
Handy Soil Amendments and Additives
To modify commercial or homemade potting mixes, try incorporating these handy soil amendments:
-
Perlite: The white, Styrofoam-like particles improve drainage and oxygen circulation.
-
Coco peat/coir: Made from coconut husks, this retains moisture and adds organic matter.
-
Orchid bark: Coarse, chunky material creates excellent aeration for monstera roots.
-
Peat moss: Has a naturally acidic pH and helps soil hold moisture.
-
Worm castings: Boosts nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.
-
Charcoal: Removes toxins, deters pests, and improves drainage.
-
Vermiculite: Absorbs and retains moisture while improving aeration.
-
Pumice/lava rock: Provides aeration and mimics monstera’s epiphytic nature.
Potting Tips to Avoid Common Mistakes
When repotting your monstera into fresh soil, follow these tips to keep it healthy:
-
Only repot when rootbound, usually every 2-3 years, to minimize transplant shock.
-
Water thoroughly after repotting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
-
Choose a container with drainage holes and use a cache pot or saucer to catch excess water.
-
Add activated charcoal to help prevent bacterial and fungal diseases in the soil.
-
Fertilize every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer for vigorous growth. Ease off in fall and winter.
-
Let the top few inches dry out before watering to keep the soil aerated but never bone dry.
-
Monitor moisture with your finger or a soil probe and adjust watering frequency to match your conditions.
The Dirt on Monstera Potting Mixes
There are lots of commercial and DIY options when it comes to the best potting soil for monstera plants. Focus on providing excellent drainage, moisture retention, and aeration. Test different mixes to find one that works perfectly for your specific growing conditions and irrigation habits. With the right potting soil, your monstera will reward you with huge, glossy, tropical leaves!
How to set up your Monstera for success
FAQ
What is the best soil for Monstera?
According to The Sill’s plant expert Paris Lalicata, in general, any standard potting mix that’s well-draining will work. She says, “You can also amend standard potting mix with bark or perlite to add more aeration around the roots.”
Do monsteras like deep pots or wide pots?
Since monsteras grow to be large plants, they require repotting every 2 to 4 years to support their growing root system. Typically for this, you’d want to choose a pot a few inches larger in width and height – say about 2 to 4 inches to give it more room to grow.
Do monstera like coffee grounds?
Can I use coffee grounds on my monstera plant? Yes, using the coffee grounds from the Nespresso pods can make your monstera plant look better. Yes, coffee grounds can energize your houseplants, including Monstera, with nutrients. Make a fertilizing tea from the spent coffee grounds.
Do monsteras like wet or dry soil?
A: Monstera plants don’t like to dry out too much. Their soil should be moist but not soggy, which can be achieved by watering the plant once every 1-2 weeks.Sep 19, 2024
What kind of soil do Monstera plants need?
No matter what type of Monstera you own, you need to set it up for success with the proper soil mix. All my Monstera plants do best in potting mix that holds moisture yet also drains well. They prefer a soil mix with a slightly acidic pH in the range of 5.5-6.5.
Does Monstera deliciosa like potting soil?
Dense Soil is bad for Monsteras as it can lead to root rot. Monsteras do not like 100% potting soil. This soil is too dense and gets more compact as it is watered. Avoid soil with a pH above 7 or below 5.5. These pH values hinder Monstera deliciosa and adansonii roots from taking in nutrients.
How do you make Monstera soil?
The following are suitable ingredients for making Monstera soil. As a rule, potting mix for Monsteras needs one part humus-rich soil, like commercial all-purpose potting soil or compost, one part coarse organic matter, like peat moss, pine bark, or shredded bark, and one part either perlite or vermiculite.
Do monsteras like acidic soil?
Monsteras prefer slightly acidic soil. The pH scale for Monstera ranges between 5.5 and 6.5. Ingredients like peat moss and pine bark fines can create an acidic environment for Monsteras. Peat moss has a pH level of around 4.5 and pine bark contains 5.2-6.8 pH levels.
What is the best dirt for Monstera?
The best dirt for Monstera is rePotme Houseplant and Tropical Classi Potting Soil Mix. The reason is its ingredients. It contains perlite, peat, coco coir, charcoal, and bark. It is mixed by hand to make it airy and retain moisture. I had a Monstera Thai Constellation and a Monstera deliciosa Variegated.
Can Monstera grow outdoors?
You should avoid using soil from the ground outdoors when growing Monstera in containers because it could contain pathogens or insects that could cause disease. It is also difficult for roots to develop fully in outdoor soil since it is usually compact.