So I got this gorgeous monstera about 3 years ago and haven't repotted/changed soil since. I finally mustered up the courage to repot her a couple of Saturdays and now she just looks sad and droopy. I knew the soil needed a refresh – I used a mix of Sphagnum Moss and Miracle Grow Tropical Potting Mix. I also wanted to get her on a path of growing more upright (I wish I would've staked when I first brought her home).
What did I do wrong? Any suggestions? She was thriving before this. I'm like, were you thriving on neglect?!
by Forward-Ad5301
17 Comments
My monsteras had an attitude after I separated and repotted them; the new leaves went completely limp
I put them in the windowsill, gave them a thorough watering and just let them be, theyre all good now!
I think it’s just transplant shock, give them some time to adjust (2 weeks is not a long time considering they’d been in the other pot for years)
It’s probably just transplant shock, especially if you cut off a bunch of root. The roots look plenty healthy. I would just avoid overwatering and give it some time to recover it will probably be fine.
These plants need more amendments in the substrate (1/3 soil, 1/3 perlite, 1/3 bark). The soil mix looks like this:
https://preview.redd.it/0jgpmd79uxpf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ccf61465a6f8df4f1c16540bd1c1646631f8abf6

Did you buy any chance water too thoroughly after repotting?
If so, think about this: you’ve separated plants possibly cutting up some roots in the process. If you water right after the repot, you let those raw roots sit in damp soil and start rotting.
I have had more success watering after 24hrs after a repot. Just to let the roots callous a bit.
Miracle grow tropical mix is THE worst! I tried it and all of my tropical started to do this. They all got root rot because its too dense and holds too much water for way too long! The lava rocks in it also damaged some of the healthy roots that I had. -10/10 would NEVER use again.
There isn’t really a reason to cut the roots that dramatically. The plant is now going to have to spend a lot of energy rebuilding itself under the soil to support the plant above. But the good news is it’s really common for monsteras to get droopy after a repot. Just keep them in a super consistent lighting situation and don’t over water and it will strengthen back up.
It’s not clear but it looks like you need chunkier soil, having them in normal houseplant soil will make the roots sad and prone to root rot
Potting soil and sphagnum moss is going to really hold onto water and be very dense. I would be worried about root rot. I would chance another repot into a chunkier mix.
I just changed all of my monsteras from a chunky mix to leca. They are now all putting out new leaves and seem very happy.
You played with the roots too much and now it’s in shock . That’s why I advise against this method.
My monsteras looked EXACTLY like yours – it was a shock from separating the roots and replanting.
They really don’t like this 😄
Took months to recover – but now they thrive.
After two weeks I’d say check the roots. This looks indicative of root rot to me. In my experience disturbing the root ball that significantly almost always ends in rot unless I water very sparingly. Definitely need more amendments to achieve an aroid mix. Check them for sure!
Root trimming is commonly done to _slow_ growth rather than encourage it, hacking back the roots encourages the plant to expend more energy re-growing roots than putting out new leaves, and should only be max 1/3 of the root mass. It’s possible that you simply don’t have enough healthy root mass left to support the amount of foliage here
Perhaps I am missing a crucial point, but I always wonder why people remove all dirt and untangle the roots.
This cannot be done without inflicting damage and I can see no benefit?
If we handle a plant this harshly I think it would be expected that the plant is shocked.
I hope the roots did not dry out too much
Give it some time…
You added sphagnum moss to your substrate mix?! Oh no. No no no. Your plants are going to rot. You need to mix soil with perlite, bark, pumice, horticultural charcoal, or anything else that will make it well draining. You’ve essentially done the opposite by adding moss.
Everyone’s focused on the soil. Because it’s super important. But I haven’t seen anyone say anything the support.
Those monsters need far more support than a couple stakes. Give it a thick wooden stick, a wooden plank, use a trellis, a Coco coir pole, or a moss pole (Coco pole and moss pole are ***NOT*** the same)
There are lots of options. Go based on your prefrence/what works financially/ or what pleases your asthetic for the plants.
As others have said the plant is most likely in shock. But It really does need a very chunky soul or they will only get worse.
Best of luck friend
After you give them some legit chunky soil mix, water them in well and give them more light.