Repotting Monstera: From 15L Garden Pot to 27L Grow Container

August 16, 2025

The photo taken after repotting looks as though nothing happened, but this was by far the most challenging repotting I’ve ever done. First, let me say this loud and clear:

Never plant a Monstera in a water-absorbing garden pot!

It Wouldn’t Come Out!

The roots were so compacted that simply pulling on the stem did nothing. I naively thought, “If I just peel the roots away from the inner walls, it’ll slide right out,” and tried every trick I could think of — all a waste of time.

If you’re planting a Monstera, use a slit pot or a root-spreading pot. A pot with a single drainage hole will at least allow you to remove the plant, but water-absorbing garden pots have holes all over the bottom, causing roots to push outward in every direction. In my case, the roots had packed themselves densely into all three leg cavities of the pot.

Splitting It in Two

I had no choice but to cut the pot in half with a box cutter — and even then it wouldn’t budge. I had to reach into the bottom and peel the roots away by hand, leaving severed roots behind. At that point, I was solely focused on getting the plant out; root damage was simply unavoidable.

I also noticed that the recycled soil at the bottom of the pot was still damp — clear evidence of poor drainage.

Root Pruning and Repotting

Once out, the roots were a tangled, matted mess — like a ball of yakisoba noodles. Returning them to the soil as-is would only lead to root binding again, so I removed roughly one-third of what appeared to be damaged roots.

To prevent bacteria from entering through the wounds, I chose not to use recycled soil this time, planting instead in entirely fresh soil. With such a drastic change in soil environment, it may take quite a while for the wounded Monstera to recover its vitality. I can only hope it pulls through.

Lessons from the Past

I remember the very first time I repotted this Monstera. I had read somewhere that roots should be cut back, and I pruned them quite aggressively. Yet it grew into the thriving plant it is today. So this time too, I believe it will find its way back.

What Comes Next

The 27L container I used this time is the largest size available. If it becomes root-bound again, I’m considering digging into the soil, selectively trimming the roots, and returning the soil — rather than a full repot.

The 100-Yen Store Fence Stakes Saved the Day

During the previous repotting in October 2024, I had set up fence-style stakes made from plastic sheets bought at a 100-yen store. This time, I was able to move the Monstera aside — stakes and all — without damaging a single leaf. Definitely the right call.

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⚠️ A Word of Caution: Don’t Repot in the Heat of Summer

Extreme heat puts not only your plants at risk, but you as well. Never repot in direct sunlight or in hot, humid conditions. Heatstroke is a real danger.

Fortunately, my balcony receives limited sunlight — only a few hours of partial morning sun from the east. I kept a cooling wrap around my neck, let a fan blow on my back through the screen door from indoors, and made sure to take breaks and stay hydrated throughout.

Repotting was an enormous effort, but the real question starts now: will the Monstera recover and grow strong again? I’ll be posting updates as things progress.

[embed]Monstera Year 3 — Growth Journal | Part 2 (July–August 2025) July 25, 2025medium.com

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