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Do Monstera Like To Be Root Bound? [ Here’s The Answer ]

The gorgeous Monstera plant with luxuriously patterned foliage is one of the most forgiving herbs living. It does not matter if you forget to take care of it regularly.

Even after enduring negligence, the Monstera vine thrives fast and develops adorned foliage with leaf holes.

But, does the neglect-tolerant plant prefer to be root bound? No, the vine can tolerate negligence till the time it gets enough room to grow.

Also, for the root-bound issue, the ornamental Monstera plant likes to change its pot every year. If you are a houseplant parent, go through the article to know more.

Do Monstera like to be root bound?

No, the tropical Monstera plant does not like to be rootbound. Like most other herbs, the Swiss cheese plant also does not prefer to grow in a small container as it hinders the growth of the rhizomes.

Since they cannot get enough space to thrive, the rootlets get congregated.

So, the clustered roots replace all the potting mixture. It leads to the deficiency of water, moisture, nutrients, and oxygen. The phenomenon can welcome the worst consequences and even the death of the adorned herb.

It is undoubtedly a tricky business to find out whether your Monstera vine needs to get repotted or not.

But, if the rootbound situation occurs, you immediately need to replant it in a bigger pot.

Unfortunately, many newbies, inexperienced gardeners think that the aesthetic Monstera plant with decorated leaves loves to stay in a smaller container.

Because the herb prefers to be root bound, but this is nothing but a myth.

As a Monstera plant with stiff roots does not get enough potting medium to grow and adequate room to breathe, the herb faces a scarcity of hydration, oxygen, and minerals.

Also, the clustered rootball cannot absorb water from the soil. So, this results in stunted growth, root rot, and withered leaves with pale colors.


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When should you repot your Monstera?

Even though there is no fixed or general deadline in the case of repotting a Monstera plant, you can change the tub every two years. We always say there are no bound rules applicable for every plant. Although the gorgeous house plant requires repotting every two years, it depends on several factors.

The climate, plant variant, soil type, and many other things determine the need for repotting.

Also, the age of the divine beauty can set the time of changing the pot.

While a mature Monstera herb does not require frequent repotting, a growing one generally wants to repot more frequently.

But, the trailing vine in your apartment balcony can have different demands, so keep that in mind while looking after the exotic plant.

So, if you are growing the divine Monstera vine in your garden, try to replant it in a bigger pot once every two years. But, the rule does not apply to immature young herbs.

They usually require frequent replacing of tubs so that their thriving rhizomes get enough place to grow.

So, if you have a young Monstera with perforated leaves in your household, it will be better to examine the roots regularly.

Since the rootbound plant shows some signs, notice them carefully. As clustered rhizomes prevent the gorgeous Monstera herb from growing fast, you need to repot a rootbound vine as early as possible.


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How to Know If Your Monstera Plant is Rootbound?

Since the Monstera plant does not like to stay in a root-bound condition, you need to fix the matter as early as possible.

The stunning Swiss cheese herb thrives rapidly and healthily even after enduring a lot of negligence.

Even if you forget to water it regularly, the neglect-tolerant vine develops patterned foliage with a perforated design.

But, sometimes, the rootbound issue can hinder the growth of the aesthetic plant.

The stiff rootball can cast an adverse effect on the shrub.

Even for that reason, your artistic vine can face the worst consequences and death. Although the attractive plant features easy-to-care nature, the vine can become demanding in some cases.

If you keep the growing plant in a small container for years, the rhizomes get clustered. The phenomenon results in the rootbound problem that leads to the stunted growth of the adorned Monstera plant.

But, the newbie gardener can find it tricky to recognize a rootbound herb as the problem appears underground. It is easier to find any unusualness in the stem and foliage area of an herb.

But, beginners often overlook the root problems of their appealing houseplant.

Still, the decorative indoor plant shows some signs to tell the caregiver about the congregated-root condition.

Only the experienced eyes can see them. So, below we have shared the common symptoms you can notice on a rootbound Monstera plant.

The potting mixture gets dry quickly

When you keep a mature Monstera vine in a relatively small tub, the roots find it difficult to spread naturally. That is why they form a clustered shape and gradually replace the entire mold in the container.

So, you will notice the water drains right after your watering session, as there remains no potting medium to absorb the hydration.

Since the soil soaks the required oxygen from the water and air, the rootbound situation of the Monstera plant does not let that happen.

So, you will notice unusually dried-up mold that cannot pass adequate hydration to the other parts of the herb. Remember, the unnatural root-to-soil ratio can be the main reason for the fast drainage of water.

The clustered rhizomes often cause dehydration in the plant

As we have mentioned earlier, the stiff roots of the gorgeous vine cannot transfer the required moisture to every part of the plant.

Since the clustered rhizomes cannot soak enough water from the dried mold, they cannot send the needed hydration and oxygen to each section of the gorgeous vine.

So, as an inevitable result, the plant will show signs similar to dehydration.

If you notice discolored foliage, soggy stem, and withered leaves on your charismatic Monstera plant, chances are the herb is suffering from root bound condition.

The trailing vine suddenly stops growing

If your healthy Monstera deliciosa has not shown any growth lately, the reason can be the rootbound.

Due to the pressed rhizomes, the lush herb can stop producing perforated leaves. Even in some cases, you will see overall stunted growth in the exotic plant.

If you notice such hindered development in your decorative Monstera plant, examine the plant root immediately.

As stunted growth can be a sign of several problems, like inadequate water, light, nutrients, and moisture, self-inspection of the rhizomes can clear your doubts.

If you find it challenging to take out the plant from the tub, it can be rootbound.

Also, the congregated roots replace the potting mixture. So you will see an imbalanced root-to-soil ratio. All the symptoms are telling that the aesthetic Monstera herb needs to get repotted badly.

The rhizomes are peeking through the drainage hole

Since the tropical vine is a fast-growing plant, the roots of the herb can also thrive fast.

Now, maybe you can frequently change the container of your ornamental Monstera plant. Still, the rootbound issue can occur. So, the easiest way to detect the problem is the regular examination of the drainage hole.

If you notice the hairy rhizomes peeking through the drainage hole of the tub, the adorned herb has outgrown the container.

In the case of root bound, the rhizomes of the Monstera plant can spiral up at the bottom of the tub or outgrow through the drainage hole.

If you notice any of these conditions in your tropical Swiss cheese plant, replant it in a larger container.

Also, the clustered rhizomes can crack the pot as they cannot get enough room to grow in a small tub. In this situation, repotting it in a larger container will give the roots an adequate space to breathe.


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What to Do If Your Monstera Plant is Rootbound?

Since growing the Monstera plant in a small tub result in rootbound growth of the herb, repotting can be the ultimate solution to the issue. The Swiss cheese plant faces congregated root issues when the rhizomes outgrow the current tub. In that case, only replanting it in a slightly bigger container can resolve the problem. So, here we will share the best way to repot your Monstera if it becomes rootbound.

  • Firstly, you need to choose a proper container for your Monstera plant. Do not go for a gigantic tub, as that can lead to other problems. It will be better to select a tub that is 2-4 inches bigger than the current vessel.
  • Now, after selecting the apt pot for your gorgeous vine, you need to take the plant out from the old tub.
  • Then trim the existing soil from the rhizomes. Do this step carefully because any accidental cut in the root can permanently damage the plant.
  • You can cut any rotten parts of the root before replanting it.
  • Now pour the nutrient-rich soil into the current bucket and do not fill it more than ⅓ part.
  • Finally, you can place your ornamental Monstera herb in its new home. Also, after putting it in the new container, look after the plant carefully.

How to fix Monstera root bound?

Upgrading the size of the tub is the most effective way to fix the root bound, but you can also divide the vine to solve the issue. Although there are various ways to resolve the congregated root ball problem, repotting and splitting the plant are the best methods ever.

In the first case, the gardener only needs to replant the herb in a larger vessel than the current one so that the rhizomes can get enough space to thrive.

But, if you lack space to install a gigantic plant tub in the household, you can divide the rootbound Monstera and plant the separated parts in small individual containers. It will save a lot of space. In either way, your vine will grow faster and stay happy.

Bottom line

The sturdy Monstera houseplant does not show any tantrums after enduring negligence from the caregiver.

Even this resilient plant sometimes does not even mind if you keep it in the same pot for 2-3 years.

That is why some lazy gardeners do not repot the herb often.

But, the rootbound condition prevents the exotic vine from reaching its ultimate potential.

So, if you upgrade the size of your growing Monstera plant’s tub every year, it will be better. The Swiss cheese plant thrives fast and stays healthy when its root system gets adequate room to grow.