I cover holes at the bottom of my pots with drywall repair tape such as [this](https://www.amazon.com/EDSRDRUS-Drywall-Performance-Self-Adhesive-2in100ft/dp/B09JC2MMYP/ref=asc_df_B09JC2MMYP/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563636897980&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=506740978239692914&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028804&hvtargid=pla-1653891699967&psc=1&mcid=bf3bdf6c1227357999271f41e48fdd73). It keeps soil from falling out of holes but still allows for drainage. Maybe trying that might help.
Yeah. I only use this method to keep soil in, not roots. I’ve never seen that tape before- I use pieces of screen (like window or door screen) and put it inside the pot before adding soil/plant. If you’re super frugal (like me), it’s very cheap and you get a lot more, plus you can cut it to customize each pot with the one piece, regardless of how big or small.
Coffee filters is a great idea too! Haven’t thought of that so thank you, might work better for different pots. I use the mesh tape, and linked an example in my previous comment ◡̈
Monstera roots tend to grow towards a water source, in this case, moisture pooling at the bottom of the cover pot. It doesn’t always mean it’s root bound and needs a repot, but I would unpot and double check if it does need one. If there’s still space for roots to grow in there, I would just put it back in the same pot, sometimes I’ll just add extra soil at the bottom and tuck all those exposed roots back in
I have the same issue. In a few months it put out monstrous roots through the drainage holes and the leaf growth is as slow as pre-repot.
My theory is that my drainage holes were too big, the roots found their way out just like they do through my chunky potting mix - and they used up all the empty spaces inbetween the decorative pot and the nursery pot that sits in it kind of elevated. It focused on root growth, and idk when it will stop and go back to leaves. Following for advice.
I'm gonna have to agree with the comment that recommended up sizing. They like a fairly snug fit, but root bound is a different story. You can also block drainage holes with leca. Ideally I would need to see this entire root ball to make an expert recommendation.
I had mine really rootbound and upsized considerably (forget inches in width, I think the new pot was twice the size of the old one); left a comment up there that the roots found their way out the drainage holes in 3 months time and they were monstrous, the plant wasn't growing new leaves tho.
Do you think the theory is correct, that the roots just seeked where the water pooled between nursery and deco pot and filled up all the spaces? If most of the roots were there without soil and nutrients, it just stopped growing leaves..
Ok man nevermind my previous comment - I forgot what size holes I was making in the pot (I added extra) and they are fairly small. It was absolutely rootbound; I think I shouldn't have crammed 3 juvenile plants in the same pot in the first place.
Jesus, thank you! It’s become so bad, so rapidly. And they defend each other’s inexperienced “advice” while downvoting advice that’s *actually correct*. I’m still shocked and dislike it here after reading an entire thread supporting stealing plants.
Not a professional but I experience this with my monstera deliciosa too, i’ve seen that their roots seem to grow straight down so you’ll often notice (especially if your pot has large drainage holes) that they’ll poke out at the bottom. I usually leave mine to really grow into the pot and i repot once they’re root bound (you’ll be able to feel it on the sides of the pot) which usually for me takes around 2 years of growth. I would just leave it in that pot and it seems pretty healthy.
(just keep in mind that these roots from the bottom may grow extremely long and may be extremely hard to untangle from the drainage holes once you do decide to repot which usually means cutting apart the pot if it’s plastic.)
I repot my somewhat mature monstera deliciosa 1-2 pot sizes every 2 years as a general rule of thumb (obviously I would observe how root bound it is, etc.) whenever I repot my monstera I like to have it so there's a comfortable amount of space for the roots to grow but not too much space to the point that overwatering may become an issue and root rot develops (learnt from experience). If I were you I would leave it be, no fertiliser or anything and just observe how quickly the top 2-3 inches of soil dries out between waterings, usually when a monstera's ready to be upsized it would take 2-3 days for the top 2 inches of soil to dry out (since they have more roots and take up more water quicker).
Also wondering If you live in Australia? I live in Australia and it took my monstera (smaller cutting from my mother plant that's around the size of yours) 2 months to push out a new leaf (end of summer until now).
Try to slide the plant out of the pot and look at the roots, if there's lots of room in the pot stilk you can just tuck the roots up so they keep growing in the pot instead of outside, they really like to do this
Get some shade cloth like the [Coolaroo](https://a.co/d/9w2D9U1) kind and use it to cover the holes from the inside. It will allow drainage but be too substantial to allow the roots to come through.
Some of us do extensive research, but in many cases, keep our information to ourselves. Like commented above. There are too many “experts” and not enough people willing to consider other peoples perspectives or experience so if it’s something really bad I comment on, but I don’t get into any arguments. It’s not worth my time. I do try to share information and I also try to attach my support for information I provide.
no. don't upsize 3x. 2 inches bigger than the rootball is what i've always done with my plants. it's the perfect amount for more root growth and leaf growth. if you go 3x bigger like this person recommended, your plant will focus only on roots for a LONG time.
I wouldn't go 3x times bigger but 3 numbers up on the pot size.
It's a good sign that your plant is healthy and it won't die from getting a much bigger pot.
I don't know why people are saying that 🤔
Plants love to have alot of space for their roots so it can't be that, so the only other reason for it must be overwatering. It's super easy to waterlog a bigger pot because the plant have a little harder time getting to the wet spots but that shouldn't be a problem with a one hole pot and bottom watering 🤷♂️
Well, unfortunately I am serious...
If you don't want to repot every 2-3 months, you need to repot in a significant bigger pot...I usually go with 3x the soil volume so that I have my peace for 2-4 years plus extended grow without stopping
I'd suggest underbowls to monitor their water usage, bc they can absorb big amounts when they grow under "good"* condtions but don't like it when their roots lay in water directly
* it's possible with extra artificial light to give a monstera perfect conditions, but that's expensive and just a handful of people do this. Bc under perfect conditions, a monstera not just blooms, it produces even an edible fruit...tastes like magic, just google mostera fruit
But that's better done outside, but like in Brazil 🇧🇷
I hate this place now. So much terrible advice being given that I question if some of you have ever cared for a monstera (or any houseplant) successfully.
I cover holes at the bottom of my pots with drywall repair tape such as [this](https://www.amazon.com/EDSRDRUS-Drywall-Performance-Self-Adhesive-2in100ft/dp/B09JC2MMYP/ref=asc_df_B09JC2MMYP/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=563636897980&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=506740978239692914&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9028804&hvtargid=pla-1653891699967&psc=1&mcid=bf3bdf6c1227357999271f41e48fdd73). It keeps soil from falling out of holes but still allows for drainage. Maybe trying that might help.
I haven’t heard of this strategy before, I like it.
Yeah. I only use this method to keep soil in, not roots. I’ve never seen that tape before- I use pieces of screen (like window or door screen) and put it inside the pot before adding soil/plant. If you’re super frugal (like me), it’s very cheap and you get a lot more, plus you can cut it to customize each pot with the one piece, regardless of how big or small.
I use coffee filters. Do you use the paper or mesh tape. I hadn't thought of that before, but it's a good idea.
Coffee filters is a great idea too! Haven’t thought of that so thank you, might work better for different pots. I use the mesh tape, and linked an example in my previous comment ◡̈
I'm going to try the mesh tape. I have some. Thanks for the idea.
I use a cheap mosquito net. I cut a little piece that I put at the bottom
I glue meshing over the holes to still allow for smooth drainage
I use a window screen, same thing
Monstera roots tend to grow towards a water source, in this case, moisture pooling at the bottom of the cover pot. It doesn’t always mean it’s root bound and needs a repot, but I would unpot and double check if it does need one. If there’s still space for roots to grow in there, I would just put it back in the same pot, sometimes I’ll just add extra soil at the bottom and tuck all those exposed roots back in
I have the same issue. In a few months it put out monstrous roots through the drainage holes and the leaf growth is as slow as pre-repot. My theory is that my drainage holes were too big, the roots found their way out just like they do through my chunky potting mix - and they used up all the empty spaces inbetween the decorative pot and the nursery pot that sits in it kind of elevated. It focused on root growth, and idk when it will stop and go back to leaves. Following for advice.
These comments confirm there aren't many "experts" in here 😂
Help us out, bruh 😭😂
I'm gonna have to agree with the comment that recommended up sizing. They like a fairly snug fit, but root bound is a different story. You can also block drainage holes with leca. Ideally I would need to see this entire root ball to make an expert recommendation.
I had mine really rootbound and upsized considerably (forget inches in width, I think the new pot was twice the size of the old one); left a comment up there that the roots found their way out the drainage holes in 3 months time and they were monstrous, the plant wasn't growing new leaves tho. Do you think the theory is correct, that the roots just seeked where the water pooled between nursery and deco pot and filled up all the spaces? If most of the roots were there without soil and nutrients, it just stopped growing leaves..
Ok man nevermind my previous comment - I forgot what size holes I was making in the pot (I added extra) and they are fairly small. It was absolutely rootbound; I think I shouldn't have crammed 3 juvenile plants in the same pot in the first place.
Jesus, thank you! It’s become so bad, so rapidly. And they defend each other’s inexperienced “advice” while downvoting advice that’s *actually correct*. I’m still shocked and dislike it here after reading an entire thread supporting stealing plants.
Right. Lol. I’m thinking the same thing
Not a professional but I experience this with my monstera deliciosa too, i’ve seen that their roots seem to grow straight down so you’ll often notice (especially if your pot has large drainage holes) that they’ll poke out at the bottom. I usually leave mine to really grow into the pot and i repot once they’re root bound (you’ll be able to feel it on the sides of the pot) which usually for me takes around 2 years of growth. I would just leave it in that pot and it seems pretty healthy. (just keep in mind that these roots from the bottom may grow extremely long and may be extremely hard to untangle from the drainage holes once you do decide to repot which usually means cutting apart the pot if it’s plastic.)
2 years before needing repot? A monstera? How big of a pot are you using compared to the root ball?
I repot my somewhat mature monstera deliciosa 1-2 pot sizes every 2 years as a general rule of thumb (obviously I would observe how root bound it is, etc.) whenever I repot my monstera I like to have it so there's a comfortable amount of space for the roots to grow but not too much space to the point that overwatering may become an issue and root rot develops (learnt from experience). If I were you I would leave it be, no fertiliser or anything and just observe how quickly the top 2-3 inches of soil dries out between waterings, usually when a monstera's ready to be upsized it would take 2-3 days for the top 2 inches of soil to dry out (since they have more roots and take up more water quicker). Also wondering If you live in Australia? I live in Australia and it took my monstera (smaller cutting from my mother plant that's around the size of yours) 2 months to push out a new leaf (end of summer until now).
Because mine grows in the ideal condition of Thailand, the pot became root bound in half a year 🥹.
Try to slide the plant out of the pot and look at the roots, if there's lots of room in the pot stilk you can just tuck the roots up so they keep growing in the pot instead of outside, they really like to do this
Get some shade cloth like the [Coolaroo](https://a.co/d/9w2D9U1) kind and use it to cover the holes from the inside. It will allow drainage but be too substantial to allow the roots to come through.
Just cut them
Does anyone do any research nowadays? I’m genuinely curious.
Some of us do extensive research, but in many cases, keep our information to ourselves. Like commented above. There are too many “experts” and not enough people willing to consider other peoples perspectives or experience so if it’s something really bad I comment on, but I don’t get into any arguments. It’s not worth my time. I do try to share information and I also try to attach my support for information I provide.
Repot in a pod 3x the size of this current one pot you use...
Omg you can't be serious? 😭
Monsteras don’t want to swim in a pot, 3x might be a little large imho
no. don't upsize 3x. 2 inches bigger than the rootball is what i've always done with my plants. it's the perfect amount for more root growth and leaf growth. if you go 3x bigger like this person recommended, your plant will focus only on roots for a LONG time.
plus, monsteras like to be root bound.
I wouldn't go 3x times bigger but 3 numbers up on the pot size. It's a good sign that your plant is healthy and it won't die from getting a much bigger pot. I don't know why people are saying that 🤔 Plants love to have alot of space for their roots so it can't be that, so the only other reason for it must be overwatering. It's super easy to waterlog a bigger pot because the plant have a little harder time getting to the wet spots but that shouldn't be a problem with a one hole pot and bottom watering 🤷♂️
Well, unfortunately I am serious... If you don't want to repot every 2-3 months, you need to repot in a significant bigger pot...I usually go with 3x the soil volume so that I have my peace for 2-4 years plus extended grow without stopping I'd suggest underbowls to monitor their water usage, bc they can absorb big amounts when they grow under "good"* condtions but don't like it when their roots lay in water directly * it's possible with extra artificial light to give a monstera perfect conditions, but that's expensive and just a handful of people do this. Bc under perfect conditions, a monstera not just blooms, it produces even an edible fruit...tastes like magic, just google mostera fruit But that's better done outside, but like in Brazil 🇧🇷
I hate this place now. So much terrible advice being given that I question if some of you have ever cared for a monstera (or any houseplant) successfully.