Avoid this Redditor’s gardening mistakes that can kill your Monstera, and learn from them so you don’t destroy your plant!
Know what’s better than trial and error? Learning from another’s foundering! Rather than wondering, “What Killed My Monstera,” take a cue from this Redditor and Avoid these Common Mistakes. And remember, patience is everything in gardening!
What Killed My Monstera
1. Repotting at the Wrong Time
Repotting your monstera at the wrong time and anticipating explosive growth is not how this tropical foliage beauty works. Monsteras stop growing during fall and winter; repotting during the plant’s dormant period disrupts its natural lifecycle and affects its roots.
Our Redditor got a little too enthusiastic and transplanted his monstera at the wrong time. Another mistake was moving it to a huge pot—more on that below.
2. Potting in a Too Big Pot
A large pot means more soil volume and more water-holding capacity! So even if he didn’t intend to overwater, it was a natural consequence of repotting it in a larger-than-required container. The soil held excess moisture, keeping his monstera’s roots overworking and in constant dampness, which led to root rot.
To avoid this, always grow your Monstera in a pot that is just one size bigger than the plant’s rootball. Your Swiss Cheese plant might look really tall and big, but it doesn’t need a large container; always keep it slightly root-bound.
3. Stress from Overhandling
It’s easy to forget that plants need breathing room and space, too. Constant fussing and overhandling can lead to your monstera’s demise. This gardener spent hours rearranging the stems and leaves to get them to “face forward,” which stressed the plant.
Like most houseplants, Monsteras do not respond well to regular relocation and constant manipulation, so let your plant pal live in its favorite spot without many changes.
4. Using the Wrong Soil Mix
While our Redditor-in-question did use the right potting mix, this is a common mistake that needs to be addressed. Monsteras thrive in light, well-draining, soilless potting mix that mimics their rainforest home. Heavy, compacted soils retain too much moisture and can suffocate roots.
You can mix sterilized potting soil or peat moss/coconut coir, perlite, orchid bark, charcoal, and some organic matter to make your own potting mix for your monstera.
Avoid using garden soil or dense potting soil that compacts easily, as this can create an environment that fosters fungal growth and poor root health.
5. Over-Pruning
Another common monstera mistake to avoid is overpruning! These plants are slow-growers that go dormant during the cold season, so allow them time to develop before you pull out your shears and start shedding!
If you prune too much at once, it will remove the plant’s ability to photosynthesize efficiently by cutting away healthy leaves. This weakens the plant and further slows its growth. Just target yellow or damaged leaves and prune sparingly.
