Question
We have a large and unwieldy Monstera.  We repotted it 3 years ago and it took off.  It now has many large leaves that don't have good support and new growth has stopped. It has plenty of indirect light from 2 skylights across the room and is watered once per week with plant food during summer months. We would like to repot into a slightly larger pot with better support.  Do you have advice?  Thank you, Barbara

Answer
Hi Barbara,

Although you haven't provided a photo or any specifics about your Monstera pot size, I am quite confident that it is very unlikely to need a larger pot.

Monsteras are actually vining plants and are not really meant to be grown as upright plants. Sometimes nurseries grow them vining around a stake, but even those have to be kept pruned back as they soon outgrow their stakes. Taller stakes will provide additional support, but a larger pot will not help with support. Perhaps I am not understanding something here. If so, post a photo or email one to me at [email protected].

On a different subject, you may be overestimating the amount of light. Skylights do not provide much light unless they are unusually large or immediately above the plant. That may explain its recent growth slow down. When plant growth slows, its use of water also diminishes, so you may have to alter your watering routine. Allow the top quarter of the soil to dry in between waterings rather than relying on the calendar.

If you can provide additional formation, I can provide more specific assistance.

I have written articles on repotting and pruning that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com