Choosing the Best Soil for Healthy Monstera Plants

July 13, 2024 by Robby

With their large iconic split leaves, Monstera deliciosa often called “Swiss cheese plants”, are increasingly popular houseplants. Getting the soil right is key to keeping these tropical beauties happy and healthy indoors. Monstera plants thrive in a specific type of potting mix that provides the aeration, drainage, and moisture retention these plants need.

In this article, we’ll look at what makes an ideal potting soil for Monstera plants and how to pick the right store-bought mix or create your own custom blend We’ll also cover when and how to repot Monsteras into fresh soil. Follow these tips and your Monstera will flourish.

What Makes a Good Monstera Soil?

Monstera plants prefer soil that is:

Well-draining – Excess moisture can lead to root rot, so excellent drainage is crucial. The soil must drain well and should never get overly soggy or stay wet for prolonged periods.
Nutrient-rich – Monsteras thrive in soil with ample organic matter to provide nutrition for healthy growth. This includes compost, peat moss, coco coir, worm castings, etc.
Light and fluffy – Dense or heavy soils restrict airflow to the roots which Monstera plants don’t like. The soil needs to be loose and light.

Slightly acidic – A pH between 5.5 and 7 is ideal for Monstera plants. Acidic potting mixes help mimic the tropical soils Monsteras grow in naturally.

Avoid potting soils with added bark, perlite, or grit as these can dry out too quickly. Also avoid moisture-control soils, which retain too much water leading to “wet feet”.

Best Store-Bought Potting Mixes for Monsteras

Many garden centers and plant shops now sell specially formulated potting mixes for Monstera plants. Here are some great options to look for:

Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Soil – This potting mix contains aged forest products like sphagnum peat moss and Pacific Northwest fish/kelp meal along with worm castings and bat guano for a rich, organic blend Monstera plants thrive in.

Espoma Organic Indoor Potting Mix – A peat and coir based mix with mycorrhizae fungi to boost root growth. The coconut coir provides moisture retention. Reviewers report great results with Monsteras.
Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix – Contains coconut coir and forest humus for moisture retention and nutrition. Stays light and fluffy. Some perlite is added but not enough to affect moisture levels.
Superfly Bonsai Indoor Soil Mix – A favorite on Monstera forums, this mix contains aged compost, earthworm castings, peat moss, and coco coir with some added lava rock for weight. Provides great drainage and aeration.

If you can’t find a specialty Monstera mix, an organic, peat-based general houseplant soil will also work well. Just avoid anything labeled as a cactus or succulent mix, as those drain too quickly and don’t provide the nutrition Monsteras need.

Creating Your Own Monstera Potting Mix

You can also easily make your own custom soil blend for your Monstera plant. Here is an easy recipe:

2 parts peat or coco coir for moisture retention

1 part perlite for drainage and aeration
1 part compost, worm castings, or composted manure for organic matter and nutrients
1 part orchid bark or charcoal to prevent soil compaction (optional)

Pinch of dolomitic lime to balance pH (optional)

Thoroughly mix all ingredients together in a large container or wheelbarrow. Use this custom blend when potting or repotting your Monstera. Tweak the proportions as needed to achieve the right moisture retention and lightweight mix Monsteras love.

When and How to Repot a Monstera

Monstera plants should be repotted into fresh soil when:

They become rootbound (roots circling the bottom of the pot)
Old soil is depleted and compacted
You need to size up to a larger pot

Leaves are small and growth is stunted

Repot in the spring before active growth resumes. Carefully remove from the old pot and loosen any circled roots before placing into new container filled 1/3 with soil. Finish filling around the root ball and pack down gently. Water thoroughly after repotting.

Choosing a potting mix specifically formulated for Monsteras will provide the drainage, nutrition, and lightweight consistency these plants need to truly thrive indoors. Consider repotting each spring into fresh soil to keep your Monstera healthy and vibrant.

Alternative Soil Mediums

For those who like to experiment, LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) offers an alternative to traditional soil. This medium provides excellent drainage and can be used in combination with other soil components.

Nutrient Requirements for Monstera Soil

Monstera plants are like the Goldilocks of the plant world. They dont ask for much, but what they do ask for, they want just right. And when it comes to nutrients, theyre no different.

Monstera plants have a moderate appetite for nutrients. Theyre not the gluttons of the plant world, but theyre not exactly fasting either.

Nitrogen is a biggie. Its like the protein shake of the plant world. Without it, your Monstera might start looking a bit yellow and sickly. In nature, plants get a steady supply of nitrogen from decomposing plant and animal material. Your Monstera in a pot, on the other hand, can only use the nutrients in its soil, and those can run out in a few months.

Other essential nutrients include phosphorus, potassium, and a smattering of trace elements. Think of these as the vitamins and minerals of the plant world.

To keep your Monstera well-fed, youll want to enrich the soil mix with organic matter. This is like adding a multivitamin to your Monsteras diet.

Compost or well-rotted manure can greatly enhance the quality of the soil mix. These are packed full of nutrients and will help keep your Monstera happy and healthy.

Even with the best soil mix, your Monstera will still benefit from regular fertilization. Think of this as a top-up to keep your Monstera in peak condition.

A gentle liquid fertilizer, especially one formulated for Monstera plants, is a good choice. You can add this to your plants’ water once a week, so you won’t have to remember when to fertilize them.

And heres a tip straight from the plant pros: rainwater. Its rich in nitrogen and oxygen, and slightly acidic, which helps release nutrients held in the soil. Catching rainwater in a pitcher to use as an occasional “treat” for your plant is a great idea.

So there you have it. Friends who love plants will be jealous of your Monstera if you give it the right food and some love.

3 Simple Soil Mixes to Speed up Root Growth for Monstera and Philodendron

FAQ

What’s the best soil for Monstera?

You don’t need anything super fancy or niche for your monstera! According to The Sill’s plant expert Paris Lalicata, in general, any standard potting mix that’s well-draining will work. She says, “You can also amend standard potting mix with bark or perlite to add more aeration around the roots.”

Can Monstera use cactus soil?

Monstera prefer a soil substrate that is light and airy with plenty of amendments added, as they can easily rot in heavy peat mixes. Some recommended amendments would be orchid bark, lava stone, pumice, or perlite. Monstera can also be potted into cactus mix if a premade mix is preferred.

Do Monstera like coffee grounds?

Houseplants can also benefit from the use of coffee grounds, though some may benefit more than others. Houseplants that prefer acid soil will be more receptive to coffee ground use. These include African violet, croton, gloxinia, monstera, peperomia, and philodendron.

Should Monstera soil be wet or dry?

Monstera plants thrive in evenly moist soil. That means soil that is moist, but not soggy and soil that never dries out completely. The soil should feel dry in the top half of the pot, but still feel moist in the bottom half. Check the soil often to determine when your Swiss cheese plant needs to be watered.

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