Monstera plants, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, have been the most aesthetic and adored houseplant of the social media plant world for several years.
To maintain and propagate Monstera is easy; however, they tend to sulk and droop if neglected.
It can be heartbreaking to see your new potted plant sad and limp but don’t be alarmed! The plant can be fixed with a bit of tender care.
The most common reason for the drooping of the repotted Monstera leaves is the lack of water. The luscious plant gets its shine from its slightly damp soil. Other causes include unbalanced watering, repotting stress, low light, improper fertilization, low light, pests, and diseases.
The good news is that this plant is quite hardy, and if you give it the proper care, it will quickly recover its vigor.
Please continue reading to uncover answers about repotting Monstera, cause for drooping, prevention, and most importantly, steps to nursing your plant back to its shine!
Table of Contents
Can Repotting Kill Monstera?
Repotting Monstera does not kill the plant. However, Monsteras should be repotted every two years as their roots grow so enormous, leading them to no longer thrive in their current container.
A Monstera deliciosa that is left in an overgrown pot may ultimately get rootbound. Monsteras that have developed so many roots that there is no soil in their pots are known as rootbound.
While a Monstera will not die due to this, it will cease growing and eventually be unable to absorb water via its roots.
Thus, replanting ensures that the Monstera has enough room to establish new roots and access fresh nutrients, thriving.
Repotting is also an excellent opportunity to check on the health of your Monstera and refresh its soil. So even if you don’t size up the planter, it’s vital to replace the dirt in the pot.
The nutrients that a Monstera needs to grow are reintroduced with fresh soil. Knowing when and how to transplant a Monstera can help you regularly give your plant the attention it requires.
Will my Monstera Recover from Transplant Shock?
Transplanting is a stressful experience, so do it before your Monstera has fully emerged from its dormancy.
Repotting during the winter, when the Monstera is dormant, should be avoided to avoid transplant shock.
Transplanting a Monstera in the winter is typically not harmful to the plant unless it is a last-minute emergency.
You can only lessen the severity of the symptoms if your plants experience transplant shock; you can’t entirely heal it.
If this occurs, pay special attention to your Monstera. You’ll notice if the plant starts to show symptoms of distress, like dropping leaves, if you keep an eye on it.
Suppose all else fails to prevent transplant shock, attempt to alleviate the symptoms by keeping the roots of the plants moist so that the transplanted plants may obtain enough water to live.
However, it is essential to keep in mind that Monsteras require less water in the winter.
Cure Transplant Shock
- Adding a little sugar to the soil is a bit of strange gardening advice that has been floating around. But, surprisingly, this is effective.
- If your plant is experiencing transplant shock, consider combining sugar and water and gradually sprinkling it into the soil. It adds nutrients to the roots and helps them stay healthy and robust.
- You must be patient and water your plants regularly throughout this period.
- Trimming the plant back helps it to concentrate on regrowing its roots. Trim roughly one-third of the plant from perennials. Trim back one-third of the plant in annuals if it’s a shrub kind. Remove half of each leaf from a plant with a primary stem.
How Long Does it Take for Monstera to Recover from Transplant Shock?
Transplant shock can continue for weeks or months, depending on the type of plant.
For at least two weeks, most flowers, vegetables, and herbs may refuse to develop, causing them to become stunted.
When you relocate trees, you may anticipate the sapling to remain in shock for a year, with some species experiencing five-year latent periods of shock.
Thus, from the information above, the Swiss Cheese Plant might take about two weeks to a month to recover from the transplant shock.
Causes of Droopy Monstera After Repotting
The following are some of the potential reasons for drooping Monstera leaves.
1. Underwatering
Knowing where your plant originates might reveal a lot about the circumstances it requires. For example, the Monstera plant’s native habitat is the moist tropical forest of the southern Mexico and Central America.
It suggests that the houseplant prefers a moist atmosphere. Dry soil is not a suitable habitat for the Monstera plant to thrive.
The problem of drooping leaves after repotting may be solved by adequately watering the indoor plant.
The issue arises when the potting soil is parched. However, to check the moisture level, you must poke your finger into the soil. In this manner, you’ll be able to avoid the risk of watering.
Solutions
- Thus, for the best solution from the top, water the plant until the soil is moist. Then, allow excess water to drain through the drainage holes in the container.
- Similarly, wipe them with a wet towel before repositioning the plant to eliminate dust from the leaves.
- To know if your Monstera is underwater, you can purchase a moisture meter to give you a good idea of how much water your Monstera’s roots retain.
- Similarly, a broken pot fragment can be used to conceal the drainage hole. Place the fragment in an upside-down U over the hole, leaving space on the sides. Some individuals like to cover the hole with a piece of old window screening.
2. Overwatering Problem
Similar to lack of water, overwatering also makes the luscious leaves of the Monstera plant droop. When the Swiss Cheese plant is overwatered, the leaves tend to become thin and yellow.
However, after a few days, the feeble steam and leaves will begin to droop. Brown stains on the leaf tips and stinky pot soil are two additional common symptoms of overwatering.
The odor indicates rot root, which might lead to the demise of your houseplant. Thus, to avoid such mistakes, get a container with drainage holes and a fresh soil mix.
These holes aid in the drainage of surplus moisture from the soil. Similarly, to avoid overwatering, remember to water the Monstera plant according to the instructions.
Solutions
- We’ve observed that putting your Monstera in the sink or using a watering can to gently add water until it starts to run out the drainage holes is the best approach to water it.
- Immediately empty the drainage tray. Don’t saturate the soil, and keep emptying the drainage tray as extra water drains.
- Similarly, avoid getting the leaves damp. Instead of putting water on top of the plant, add it to the soil.
- When repotting your Monstera, it is recommended to move one size larger (for example, from a 6′′ pot to an 8′′ pot). It is simpler for your plant to acclimatize to a new pot that is not considerably larger than the existing one.
- Glazed ceramic pots (with drainage holes) are another excellent choice for indoor Monsteras. These are available in several styles, although bigger ones may be relatively costly.
3. Improper Lighting
Monsteras thrive in bright, indirect sunshine, as they are native to tropical climates. The development of dark patches on the leaves and limping are fostered by exposing the plant to direct sunlight.
Your plant will grow strained, with scant leaves, and more prone to drooping and languishing if exposed to low light.
The amount of light available will influence both the health and the growth of your plant.
Solutions
- Monstera may thrive in a variety of lighting environments, but strong indirect light for at least 10-12 hours each day is optimal.
- Place the plant near a window to get enough photosynthesis and prevent malnutrition properly indirect light.
- The light enables the plant to carry out photosynthesis and prevent malnutrition properly.
- While it is tolerant of lower light levels, you may observe slight growth as a result. Thus, a location with bright indirect light is best a few feet away from a southern, western, or eastern-facing window.
4. Infestation of Insects and Pests
Pests and illnesses are common in the Swiss Cheese plant. Mealybugs and red spider mites are some of the most prevalent pests.
The first and most essential line of defense is always careful observation. A severe insect infestation can cause the plant to lose a lot of water and nutrients due to the damage on its leaves, causing your Monstera leaves to droop and the whole plant to wilt.
Bacterial and fungal diseases can also enter through the wounds on the leaves. The leaves will wilt and droop as a result of these illnesses.
Using a trusted houseplant insecticide to spray the plant leaves. All insects will be killed, and your plant will be saved from drooping leaves thanks to the insecticide.
| Types of Pests in Monstera | Symptoms | Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Scale Insects | Scale causes white or yellow patches on leaves, which can turn yellow and fall off. | Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and apply to the scale. |
| Spider Mites | The leaves may have a sticky or gritty feel to them, especially near the bottom of the leaf where they tend to congregate. | Showering the plant or hosing it down outside can quickly diminish the number of spider mites. |
| Thrips | They resemble small white footballs and live on the undersides of leaves, causing holes in the leaves. | An powerful rush of water, such as from a garden hose, can also knock thrips off the plant. |
| Fungus Gnats | You will probably see fungus gnats crawling on the surface of your plants’ soil or flying away from the pot when you water, causing white or black powdery substance. | Watering from the bottom rather than the top can also be beneficial. Fungus gnat larvae dwell in the top layer of the soil. |
5. Temperature Stress
Extreme temperature fluctuations are less tolerant to Monstera plants. The leaves will droop, and the stem will become limp if the houseplant is kept in a hot environment.
Average room temperatures of 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal for your Monstera.
The Swiss Cheese plant is likewise weakened by cold weather. Another explanation for Monstera leaves limping and drooping might be this.
It will not withstand temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit or abrupt temperature dips. In the winter, avoid chilly breezes and direct airflow from heaters.
If you suspect a temperature problem, keep track of the minimum and highest temperatures with a digital thermometer over a few days and relocate your plant as needed.
Solutions
- If you reside in a dry climate, misting your monstera deliciosa once a week might help to boost the humidity surrounding the plant.
- Similarly, fill several bowls with tap water during winter and set them on the window sill. Throughout the day, the water evaporates, increasing the humidity in the room and keeping your Monstera Deliciosa happy.
- Use a humidifier to boost and maintain normal humidity levels quickly. On the market, there are several types of humidifiers with various purposes.
6. Over-Fertilization
In their natural habitat, Monstera plants grow to be quite tall. However, Swiss cheese is generally grown in pots, which limits their growing height.
To ensure that the plant grows to its full potential, you must provide it with enough nutrients. However, applying too much fertilizer too often can lead to a build-up in the soil, which can cause root toxicity.
Your Monstera plant may droop if the roots cease functioning and the plant cannot receive the water and nutrients it requires.
Aside from that, too much fertilizer raises the toxicity level in the soil. The issue prevents the root tips from working correctly, causing the monstera plant to droop.
Solutions
- Like other foliage plants, Monstera requires a 3-1-2 N-P-K ratio, equivalent to three parts nitrogen, one part phosphorus, and two parts potassium. These three macronutrients aid your plant’s leaves, stem, and root health, as well as flowering and splitting leaves.
- Fertilizers, both liquid and solid, can produce excellent effects. However, it is preferable not to use fertilizer spikes since they might cause overfertilization issues.
- Make sure to dilute your fertilizer, regardless of the type. It is preferable to under-fertilize your plants than to over-fertilize them.
- During the summer and spring, use a general-purpose fertilizer. You can reduce this to one feed each month during the slower-growing cold season.
7. Lack of Support
If you’ve ever seen a Monstera growing in the wild, you’ll understand why they tumble over in pots.
Their natural development pattern connects to trees and ascends, utilizing their anchor roots for assistance along the route.
A Monstera is light enough to stand on its weight when it is young. However, when it grows in size, there is nothing for it to cling to, and the weight of the leaves and stems falls to the ground in search of support.
Depending on the type of pot, it may become imbalanced enough to topple the entire pot.
Solutions
- To stake the Monstera, use cedar poles, which will not decay, or a strong moss pole. Once the stake is in place, plant ties can be used to secure the Monstera to it.
- Similarly, a trellis made of wood or metal may be used to train your Monstera to grow upright. Because it has several support points, a triangular or rectangular trellis may hold more and heavier leaves than a single rod.
- Garden stakes are often made of bamboo, wood, or metal. They all work equally well but pick one that is strong enough to sustain your plant.
Tips to Care for Monstera After Repotting
The Monstera plant should be repotted to guarantee enough soil nourishment and room for the fast-growing plant every few years.
Here are some of the ways to take care of your Monstera after the repotting process.
1. Appropriate Location
Monstera can be maintained in the bedroom, dining room, or living room. They perform well in soft, indirect illumination but suffer in bright, direct lighting.
As a result, a location near your east, south, or west-facing windows would be excellent. To avoid leaf burn, keep them away from direct sunshine.
2. Suitable Potting Soil
Lightweight, air-filled organic potting mixes are the ideal potting soil for Monstera plants. These plants don’t fare well in the backyard’s wet clay soil. They like soil that is well-drained and tropical.
Monstera potting soil typically includes coco coir, bark, or peat for overall bulk, as well as perlite or lava rock to trap air pockets in the mix (providing soil aeration). Finally, organic fertilizer is found in most high-quality potting soil mixtures.
Monstera plants thrive in potting soil that is both wet and well-draining. They prefer a soil mix with a slightly acidic pH of 5.5-6.5.
A soil mixture of 1 part peat moss/coco coir, 1 part perlite, and four parts pine bark fines are ideal for Monsteras.
3. Appropriate Pots
The finest Monstera pots are ones that drain correctly and are large enough (and heavy enough) to sustain a developing plant’s enormous leaves.
Unglazed earthenware and ceramic pots, such as traditional terra cotta, have both breathable and porous sides as well as considerable weight.
When selecting a new pot for a juvenile Monstera, choose a few inches broader than the existing planter pot.
When repotting your Monstera, it’s preferable to go one size larger (for example, from a 6′′ pot to an 8′′ pot).
A new pot that isn’t considerably larger than the current one is easier for your plant to acclimate. Similarly, the plant will be able to grow more prominent as a result of this.
Next, plant the giant plants in a planter with the same width as the plant (after some root pruning).
If you want to stake the plant soon, make sure the pot you choose is deep enough to accommodate a support stake/pole.
Tips to Choose the Correct Container
- Transparent pots are ideal since you can see the roots and dirt of your plants! In addition, they make it simple to monitor root health, detect rot, and determine when your Monstera is rootbound and in need of a pot upgrade.
- Similarly, Terracotta pots can be an excellent cost-effective compromise between appearance and pricing. They are usually less expensive than other ceramic pots and may be found at most hardware stores and garden centers.
4. Watering Frequency
Water Monstera Deliciosa once or twice a week, allowing the soil to dry up in between. Give your Monstera Deliciosa a cup or two of water, and it will revive.
If you’re in bright light, you’re more likely to water than if you’re in low light. So water your Monstera Deliciosa in the morning rather than at night, when it requires rest.
If you water it at night, the extra water will slowly evaporate, leaving the soil wet for an extended period.
5. Feeding Fertilizer
Check to see if your new planter pot drains adequately after repotting. Any surplus water in the saucer should be poured away. As the plant acclimates to its new planter, water it regularly, maybe once or twice a week in most cases.
In the weeks following repotting, don’t fertilize your Monstera. Your potting mix most likely contains nutrients. It can also help the plant adjust to its new surroundings before being flooded with nutrients.
When the plants are actively developing in the spring and summer, feeding them once a month with a liquid fertilizer like Espoma’s Organic Indoor! Plant food is an excellent option.
Every year, repot young plants to encourage development and supply soil nutrients. Increase the pot size by 2 inches each year.
Similarly, during the winter, avoid fertilizing houseplants.
6. Regular Trimming and Cleaning
The Swiss cheese plant may outgrow its surroundings. The plant may grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) tall in its natural environment.
The plant is usually excessively tall in the house and responds well to pruning, and any cuttings may be saved and used to start a new plant.
The optimal time to prune any houseplant is while it is still dormant and before its growing season begins.
However, when the days become longer, and the temperatures rise in early spring, most plants start to emerge from their dormancy.
This is the best time to prune any area of the plant because it is about to enter a phase of high growth activity, which means it will be easier for it to repair the damage caused by the pruning.
Similarly, Wipe the leaves clean and keep an eye out for spider mite infestations. With proper care, this glossy foliage plant may live for many years and reward you with its beautiful lacy leaves.
Conclusion
Although this article covers various Monstera care topics, be assured that this plant is a survivor and can take less-than-ideal treatment.
Even if your plant is in bad shape, Monsteras are simple to reproduce, and you can nearly always preserve a good stem cutting or two.
Monsteras are the perfect blend of low-maintenance care and significant aesthetic impact.
In addition, they can adapt to various environments, so most individuals may find common ground that allows them to grow these plants in their homes successfully.
If you notice your Monstera’s legginess soon after repotting (or even just before), Read Causes of Leggy Monstera (Here’s How to Fix it)
