So I recently have adopted this monstera but she seems like she needs some TLC. She's very root-bound and one of her leaves has yellowed. I've only had her a few days but she's currently in a well lit room (had to move her to get half-decent photos) and I've been watering her whenever the soil starts to dry, from the bottom so she can absorb as much as she wants. Any advice re how to help her would be great! She's currently in a plastic pot but as you can see, the roots come out the bottom, and from what I can see at the top… the soil is likely covering a full root ball given I can see them at the top too. Would you just pot her into a bigger pot and take off the yellowing leaf? The new leaf has come since having her so I think she was underwatered before… but I want her to flourish! Thanks in advance!
by inexact-zing3
2 Comments
Chop the dying yellow leaf for sure and plant her in a bigger pot, but not too big, maybe 3-4” wider and a few inches deeper. I always avoid ripping out the roots and cut through the plastic to help preserve any roots poking through. You can give her roots a little wiggle, but don’t mess with them too much or try to untangle a ton, she’ll grow and do what she needs to do. Keep in mind after transplant it’s going to take her a while to start producing more leaves, so don’t think you’re doing anything wrong. Plus it looks like you’re a plant parent already!
Edit per skelly: chopping not necessary.
You need to let the soil almost completely dry between waterings. Otherwise, you’ll constantly lose older foliage. 💚