The best pots for a monstera
Monsteras are climbers pretending to be houseplants. Give one the right pot and something to climb, and it stops sulking and starts showing off.
What size pot does a monstera need?
A monstera wants a pot 3 to 5cm wider than its current one, with drainage holes and room for a support. Most young plants sit happily in 17 to 24cm, while a mature monstera needs 30cm or more. Repot every two years in spring, and add a moss pole early.
- Young monstera: 17 to 24cm. Mature monstera: 30cm and up
- Drainage holes are essential - monstera roots rot in wet compost
- Fit a moss pole while the plant is small, not after it sprawls
- A cover pot over the nursery pot keeps watering mess-free
What we would use
Pots and kit for monstera
How to choose
- Go one size up at a time, never several
- Choose a heavier pot to counterbalance a top-heavy plant
- Leave room at the back of the pot for a pole or trellis
- Use a saucer or cover pot to protect wooden floors
Questions
Monstera pots - FAQs
Does a monstera really need a moss pole?
Not to survive, but it changes the plant. Aerial roots grip the pole, and leaves grow larger and split sooner. Fit one while the plant is small, because threading a mature monstera onto a pole is a two-person job.
Can I keep a monstera in its plastic nursery pot?
Yes. Slip it inside a decorative cover pot 1 to 2cm wider, water it over the sink and let it drain before putting it back. You get the look with none of the mess.
How often should I repot a monstera?
Every two years, in spring, or whenever roots circle the base of the pot and push out through the drainage holes.
What compost does a monstera want?
A free-draining houseplant mix with added bark or perlite. Standard compost on its own holds too much water around the roots.