How To Repot A Monstera With Aerial Roots

You can repot a monstera with aerial roots successfully by planting those aerial roots into the soil to give your plant a major boost.
 
When you repot a monstera with aerial roots, you’re not just moving it to a bigger pot—you’re giving those roots a chance to anchor deeper and absorb more water and nutrients.
 
Monsteras are natural climbers, and their aerial roots are designed to grip trees in the wild, but they can absolutely thrive when tucked into fresh soil during a repot.
 
In this post, we’ll walk you through the entire process step by step, so you can repot a monstera with aerial roots without any guesswork or fear of damaging your beloved plant.
 
Let’s dig in and get those roots settled into their new home.
 

Why You Should Repot a Monstera With Aerial Roots

Repotting a monstera with aerial roots is one of the smartest moves you can make for its long-term health, and here’s why.
 

1. Aerial Roots Become Underground Helpers

When you repot a monstera with aerial roots, those roots can be gently guided into the new soil, where they will transform into regular underground roots.
 
This gives your monstera a much larger root system, which means it can drink up more water and absorb more nutrients from the soil.
 
A bigger root system also means your plant can support more leaves, and you’ll likely see faster, more vigorous growth after the repot.
 

2. Refreshes Depleted Soil

Over time, the soil in your monstera’s pot loses its structure and nutrients, and that’s why repotting a monstera with aerial roots is so beneficial.
 
Fresh potting mix gives the roots, including the aerial ones, access to new organic matter and better drainage.
 
It also prevents the soil from becoming compacted, which can suffocate roots and lead to root rot.
 

3. Prevents the Plant From Becoming Top-Heavy

As your monstera grows, it gets heavier at the top, and the aerial roots are actually trying to anchor it to something solid.
 
When you repot a monstera with aerial roots, you give it a sturdy foundation by planting those roots in the soil, which helps stabilize the whole plant.
 
This is especially important if you’re not using a moss pole, as the soil-anchored roots will keep your monstera from toppling over.
 

When Is the Best Time to Repot a Monstera With Aerial Roots?

Timing matters when you’re planning to repot a monstera with aerial roots, and getting it right makes the whole process smoother.
 

1. Spring and Early Summer Are Ideal

The absolute best time to repot a monstera with aerial roots is during the active growing season, typically from March through June.
 
During these months, your monstera is putting out new leaves and roots at a rapid pace, so it will recover from the repotting stress much faster.
 
If you repot in winter, the plant is dormant, and it won’t have the energy to establish those aerial roots properly in the new soil.
 

2. When Roots Are Poking Out of Drainage Holes

If you see roots circling the bottom of the pot or sticking out of the drainage holes, that’s a clear sign it’s time to repot a monstera with aerial roots.
 
This means the plant is root-bound, and the aerial roots are likely looking for more space to grow into.
 
Don’t wait too long, as a root-bound monstera will start to show stunted growth and yellowing leaves.
 

3. When the Soil Dries Out Too Quickly

If you find yourself watering your monstera every two or three days because the soil dries out super fast, that’s another sign.
 
When you repot a monstera with aerial roots into a larger pot with fresh soil, the soil will hold moisture longer, giving your plant a more consistent supply.
 

Step-by-Step: How to Repot a Monstera With Aerial Roots

Now, let’s get to the actual process so you can repot a monstera with aerial roots confidently and correctly.
 

1. Gather Your Supplies

Before you start, make sure you have a new pot that is 2–3 inches larger in diameter than the current one, fresh well-draining potting mix, and a pair of clean scissors or pruning shears.
 
You’ll also want a spray bottle filled with water to keep the aerial roots moist while you work, as dry roots are more brittle and prone to snapping.
 
Having everything ready in advance makes it much easier to repot a monstera with aerial roots without rushing.
 

2. Gently Remove the Monstera From Its Current Pot

Lay the pot on its side and gently squeeze the sides to loosen the soil, then slide the monstera out by holding the base of the stems.
 
Don’t yank on the aerial roots, as they’re delicate and can break off easily.
 
Once the plant is out, brush off any loose soil from the root ball, but leave the root ball mostly intact so you don’t disturb the roots too much.
 

3. Prune Any Dead or Rotting Roots

While you have the root ball exposed, take a close look at the roots, both underground and aerial.
 
Use your clean scissors to snip off any roots that are mushy, black, or have a foul smell, as these are signs of rot.
 
Healthy roots will be firm and white or light tan, and you can keep those as is.
 
This is also a good time to trim any aerial roots that are completely dried out or broken, as they won’t do you any good in the new pot.
 

4. Place Fresh Soil in the New Pot

Add a layer of fresh potting mix to the bottom of the new pot, enough so that the base of the monstera stem will sit about an inch below the rim.
 
You want the soil level to be the same as it was in the old pot, so measure as you go.
 
Then, center your monstera in the pot and start filling in around the root ball with more fresh soil.
 

5. Guide the Aerial Roots Into the Soil

Here’s the key step: as you’re backfilling the soil, gently coil the aerial roots and tuck them into the potting mix.
 
You can lay them horizontally near the top of the soil or bury them a couple of inches deep, whichever feels more natural.
 
Make sure the aerial roots are fully covered with soil so they can start acting like underground roots.
 
Water the plant thoroughly after potting, and the soil will settle around the aerial roots, giving them direct contact with moisture.
 

6. Water and Settle the Plant

After you’ve successfully repotted a monstera with aerial roots, water it deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes.
 
This helps eliminate any air pockets in the soil and ensures the aerial roots are snug against the soil particles.
 
Then, let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again, as monsteras don’t like to sit in soggy soil.
 

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Repotting a Monstera With Aerial Roots

Even seasoned plant lovers can slip up, so let’s make sure you steer clear of these pitfalls.
 

1. Burying the Stem Too Deep

When you repot a monstera with aerial roots, you might be tempted to bury the stem along with the roots, but that’s a big no-no.
 
Burying the stem can cause it to rot, as the stem isn’t designed to be underground.
 
Only bury the aerial roots and the root ball, and keep the stem above the soil line.
 

2. Choosing a Pot That’s Too Large

Going from a 6-inch pot to a 12-inch pot sounds like a great upgrade, but it’s actually stressful for the plant.
 
Too much extra soil holds water for too long, which can lead to root rot.
 
Stick to moving up just one pot size, and your monstera will be much happier.
 

3. Leaving the Aerial Roots Exposed Outside the Pot

If you don’t tuck the aerial roots into the soil, they’ll just stay dry and woody, which is fine for support but not for nutrient uptake.
 
Make a point to guide as many aerial roots into the soil as you can during the repot.
 
Even if a few are too short or stiff to bend, you can leave them pointing upward, but the long, flexible ones should definitely go into the dirt.
 

So, How Do You Repot a Monstera With Aerial Roots?

You can repot a monstera with aerial roots by gently removing the plant, pruning damaged roots, and tucking the aerial roots into fresh, well-draining soil.
 
It’s a straightforward process that gives your plant a stronger foundation and a bigger root system to support future growth.
 
Just remember to do it in spring, use a pot that’s only slightly larger, and keep the stem above the soil line.
 
We hope this guide has helped you understand exactly how to repot a monstera with aerial roots, so go ahead and give your leafy friend the fresh start it deserves.
 
Your monstera will thank you with lush, fenestrated leaves and steady new growth in the weeks ahead.