This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
To repot a monstera plant with aerial roots, the key is to keep those roots intact and guide them into the new soil so they can help anchor the plant and absorb more moisture.
Repotting a monstera with aerial roots isn’t tricky once you understand what those roots are for, and in this guide, I’ll walk you through every step so your plant stays happy and stress-free.
Aerial roots on a monstera are tough, woody tendrils that reach out for support and nutrients, and when you repot a monstera plant with aerial roots, you give them a chance to become underground roots, which is a huge bonus for your plant’s health.
In this post, we’ll cover why repotting a monstera plant with aerial roots is beneficial, the best way to handle those roots, and the exact steps to repot a monstera plant with aerial roots without damaging them.
Let’s dig in and get your monstera settled into its new home.
Why Repot a Monstera Plant with Aerial Roots
Repotting a monstera plant with aerial roots is one of the smartest moves you can make for your plant’s long-term growth.
When you repot a monstera with aerial roots, you’re not just giving it more space, you’re also helping those roots establish themselves in the soil, which leads to a stronger, more stable plant.
Here’s why it’s such a great idea:
1. Aerial Roots Become Soil Roots After You Repot a Monstera
Aerial roots are designed to grab onto things like moss poles or tree bark in the wild, but when you repot a monstera plant with aerial roots, you can tuck those roots into the potting mix.
Once they touch moist soil, they’ll start acting like regular roots, growing down and out to absorb water and nutrients.
This is a massive advantage because it increases the root system’s overall capacity, which means your monstera can support bigger leaves and faster growth.
2. Repotting a Monstera with Aerial Roots Improves Stability
If your monstera is getting tall and top-heavy, aerial roots are often the only thing holding it up, especially if they’re clinging to a wall or a stake.
When you repot a monstera plant with aerial roots and bury the lower ones, they help anchor the plant firmly in the pot, so you don’t have to worry about it tipping over.
This is especially helpful if you’ve been using a moss pole, because the aerial roots that were clinging to it can now also grow into the soil for extra support.
3. It Prevents Rootbound Stress
A monstera that’s rootbound will have roots circling the bottom of the pot, and that chokes the plant over time.
When you repot a monstera with aerial roots, you’re relieving that pressure and giving the entire root system, including those aerial ones, room to breathe.
This reduces stress, prevents yellowing leaves, and encourages new growth, so your plant thrives instead of just surviving.
Step-by-Step Guide to Repot a Monstera Plant with Aerial Roots
Now let’s get into the actual process of how to repot a monstera plant with aerial roots without causing shock or breakage.
Follow these steps carefully, and your monstera will thank you with lush, vibrant foliage.
1. Gather Your Supplies Before You Repot a Monstera
You’ll need a new pot that’s 2–3 inches larger in diameter than the current one, fresh well-draining potting mix, and a moss pole if you want to train your monstera upward.
Also grab some clean pruning shears, gloves, and a spray bottle filled with water to keep those aerial roots moist while you work.
Preparing everything beforehand makes the whole process smoother, especially when you’re dealing with long, delicate aerial roots.
2. Water Your Monstera Before Repotting
About 24 hours before you repot a monstera plant with aerial roots, give it a good drink of water.
Hydrated roots are more flexible and less likely to snap during handling, and moist soil slides out of the pot much easier than dry, compacted soil.
This simple step reduces transplant shock and makes it much easier to untangle any circling roots without tearing them.
3. Gently Remove the Monstera from Its Current Pot
Lay the pot on its side and squeeze the sides to loosen the soil, then slide the plant out while supporting the base of the stem with one hand.
If the monstera is stubborn, run a knife around the inside edge of the pot to break the suction.
Once it’s out, shake off the old soil gently, and take a close look at the root ball and those aerial roots so you know exactly what you’re working with.
4. Trim Any Damaged Roots
Healthy roots should be firm and pale, while rotten roots will be mushy, dark, or smell bad.
Use your clean shears to snip off any damaged roots, and do the same for aerial roots that are dry, brittle, or broken.
Don’t cut healthy aerial roots unless they’re absurdly long, because the more you keep, the more benefits you’ll get when you repot a monstera plant with aerial roots.
5. Position the Aerial Roots in the New Pot
Add a layer of fresh potting mix to the bottom of the new pot, then place your monstera in the center.
Now here’s the trick to repot a monstera with aerial roots successfully, you can gently coil the longer aerial roots around the root ball and bury them in the soil, or you can guide them down the sides of the pot.
If any aerial roots are too long to bury, you can leave them above soil and attach them to a moss pole or let them trail over the pot’s edge.
6. Fill in with Fresh Potting Mix
Hold the monstera steady and add more soil around the root ball, making sure to cover any aerial roots you’ve tucked in.
Press the soil down firmly to remove air pockets, but don’t pack it too tightly because roots still need oxygen.
The soil level should be about an inch below the rim of the pot, and the base of the stem should sit at the same depth it was in the old pot.
7. Water Thoroughly and Settle the Soil
After you’ve finished repotting a monstera with aerial roots, give it a deep watering until water runs out of the drainage holes.
This helps the soil settle around all the roots, including the aerial ones you buried, and eliminates any remaining air pockets.
Let the pot drain completely, then place your monstera back in its usual spot with bright, indirect light.
Aftercare Tips for a Monstera with Aerial Roots
Once you’ve successfully repotted a monstera plant with aerial roots, the work isn’t quite done, and proper aftercare is crucial for recovery.
Here’s what to focus on in the weeks after you repot a monstera plant with aerial roots:
1. Don’t Fertilize for at Least a Month
Fresh potting mix already contains nutrients, and adding fertilizer right after you repot a monstera with aerial roots can burn the newly exposed root tips.
Wait at least four to six weeks before you feed your plant, and then use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
2. Keep Humidity High for the Aerial Roots
Aerial roots that you didn’t bury in the soil will appreciate extra humidity, so mist them regularly or place a humidifier nearby.
You can also wrap the exposed aerial roots in moist sphagnum moss if you want to encourage them to grow into the air, which is a nice bonus after you repot a monstera plant with aerial roots.
3. Watch for Signs of Stress
It’s normal for a monstera to droop slightly for a few days after repotting, and that’s just the plant adjusting to its new environment.
But if the leaves start turning yellow or brown, check the soil moisture, because you may have overwatered or underwatered during the transition.
Give it a few weeks, and you should see new growth, which is the best sign that your repotting job was a success.
So, How Do You Repot a Monstera Plant with Aerial Roots?
Repotting a monstera plant with aerial roots is a straightforward process that rewards you with a healthier, more vigorous plant.
To repot a monstera with aerial roots, you remove the plant gently, trim damaged roots, tuck the healthy aerial roots into the new soil, and water it thoroughly.
The aerial roots will adapt to their new underground role and help your monstera grow bigger leaves and stronger stems.
Just remember to give your plant time to recover, hold off on fertilizer, and keep an eye on humidity, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly it bounces back.
So grab your supplies, follow these steps, and give your monstera the fresh start it deserves.
Happy repotting, and enjoy watching your monstera thrive with its newly grounded aerial roots!