Monstera plants thrive well in a well-draining soil mix that holds moisture. Although this genus includes a variety of plants, they all require similar potting mixes.
Besides being rich in minerals and nutrients, the soil should be slightly acidic, with the pH ranging from 5.5 to 6.5. Moreover, the soil should be free of pests and harmful bacteria that cause diseases which can kill your plant.
This post focuses on the Best Monstera soil mix. Moreover, we offer a buyer’s guide to help you make informed purchasing decisions. Read on to learn more;
7 Best Soil Mix for Monstera
1. Best Overall Soil for Monstera: Premium Monstera Potting Soil
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This premium potting soil is the perfect choice for all aroids, including Monstera Deliciosa, Monstera Variegata, Monstera Dubia, and Monstera Adansonii. The soil features a balanced pH that guarantees optimum plant growth.
Moreover, this soil comprises coco coir organic aged bark and perlite that support increased growth and improved houseplant health.
With this product, you needn’t worry about brown spots on your plant’s leaves. It also prevents the leaves from dropping, thus preserving the plant’s foliage.
It’s also formulated with special nutrients, including IBI-certified Biochar, that enhance the soil’s ability to retain nitrogen and phosphorus, among other essential nutrients.
Similarly, the product features a unique composition that prevents root rot. So, your plant will grow fully and healthy, with minimal repotting needs.
Also, this well-aerated soil from Houseplants Resource Centre provides adequate drainage while retaining moisture for healthier and stronger plant roots. Additionally, with this product, you needn’t worry about harmful bacteria and other disease-causing microbes that lurk in the soil.
Besides indoor plants, this product is suited for outdoor use as well. Also, each bag of soil is generously packed, with an 8-quart bag filling up to two pots. Lastly, this is a non-toxic product certified sterile to ensure your plant thrives.
Pros
- It’s suitable for all aroids
- It’s well-aerated and well-drained
- It’s sterile and non-toxic
- It retains moisture well
- It’s suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Cons
- It’s costly
2. Best Soil For Monstera Deliciosa- Southside Plants Trail Mix
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This plant mix by Southside is one of the fully organic products you’ll encounter. In addition to containing 100% organic ingredients, the soil mix is lightweight and well-draining.
Besides monsteras, the soil mix provides optimum conditions for succulents and other plants to thrive. Additionally, the soil is well-aerated and is especially good at preventing rhizome rot.
Since the soil comes pre-mixed, it’s ready to use upon purchase. Also, you can utilize the product in indoor and outdoor gardening.
In addition, this is the best soil for repotting your monstera plant. Repotting is vital to ensure that your plant thrives, and this all-natural soil blend will see that everything goes right.
With this product, you needn’t worry about the leaves drooping. You’ll likely enjoy the plant’s lush foliage for a long time. Lastly, with this product, using this product will prevent brown spots on the leaves, allowing your plant to grow healthy.
Pros
- It’s organic and natural
- It retains moisture well
- It’s well aerated
- It’s well drained
- It’s suitable for all indoor plants
Cons
- It’s organic; hence prone to pest infestation
- It isn’t suitable for outdoor plants
3. Best Soil For Monstera Albo- Miracle-Gro Houseplant Potting Mix
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This product from Miracle-Gro is the perfect buy if you’re looking for a potting mix formulated for philodendrons, Monsteras, spider plants, pothos, and English ivy.
The soil mix includes various essential components, such as coco coir, sphagnum peat moss, and perlite, which makes it the best option for indoor plants.
Besides indoor gardens, this product combines key elements that enable outdoor plants to thrive.
With the combination of perlite and peat moss, you needn’t worry about gnats attacking your potted plant. Moreover, the product doesn’t contain compost or bark that tends to attract fungus gnats.
Besides having good aeration, the soil is well-draining, an essential property required for your plant to thrive. Also, the product is Mulch & Soil Council certified, which utilizes high-quality industry practices.
The product comes in a 4-qt bag that can fill an 8″ container. For a more satisfying result, use this soil mix with the Miracle-Gro plant food 1 month after planting.
Pros
- It’s sterile
- It’s well-draining
- It’s suitable for all indoor plants
- It retains moisture well
Con
- It doesn’t contain essential nutrients
4. Best Soil For Monstera Adansonii- Repotme Houseplant And Tropical Classic Potting Soil Mix
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Look no further if you’re looking for chunky, well-draining soil for your monstera plant. This high-quality multi-purpose soil mix by rePotme houseplant is well-aerated and drains well. The product contains a fine blend of coco coir, small stalite, vermiculite, and perlite.
With this soil mix, you needn’t fret whenever you overwater your plant. The product provides adequate drainage while absorbing significant amounts of moisture. Additionally, this is a hassle-free option that will encourage the growth of your houseplant.
Also, the product provides good aeration, allowing plants to develop healthy roots. Also, using the soil mix prevents rhizome rot, allowing your indoor plant to bloom.
The product comes in a 7″ x 11.5″ resealable bag that’s generously stuffed. Unfortunately, this soil mix is suited for indoor plants and won’t work great in your outdoor garden.
Pros
- It’s suitable for indoor plants
- It’s well-draining
- It provides good aeration
- It prevents rhizome rot
Cons
- It doesn’t retain enough moisture
- It isn’t suitable for outdoor plants
5. The Best Soil For Monstera Lechleriana– Noot Organic Indoor Plant Soilless Potting Mix
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This product contains a perfect combination of coco coir, chips, and coconut husks blended with perlite. This combination provides the perfect airflow, allowing your potted plant to develop healthy and functional roots.
Moreover, it’s hand-packed and guarantees quality and consistency in your gardening. The product is wholly organic and comes pre-soaked in Noot organic plant food. This makes the soil ready to use out of the packaging.
The soil mix also includes high-quality bacteria strains and essential fungi that will strengthen your indoor plants. Typically, these microbes form a symbiotic relationship with the plant’s root system, allowing your plant to thrive.
This product also resists root rot and offers increased resistance to temperature fluctuations. As a result, your indoor plant can thrive in a consistent environment that favors its growth. Also, it retains its high quality even after long periods of neglect.
You can also utilize the product regardless of the stage of the plant life. Your plant will continually grow in a bioactive environment favoring rapid root growth, lusher leaves, and brighter blooms.
Besides monstera varieties, this soil mix is suitable for other indoor plants, including ficus, succulents, fiddle leaf figs, tropical, and orchids. While the soil might emit a foul smell, this shouldn’t cause worry. It’s possibly due to a lack of oxygen in the bag. Leaving the bag outside overnight will get rid of the smell.
Pros
- It contains essential nutrients
- It’s affordable
- It’s suitable for all indoor plants
- The soil is well-draining
Cons
- It’s suitable for indoor plants only
- It emits a foul smell
6. Best Soil For Monstera Esqueleto – Foxfarm FX14053 Ocean Forest Plant Garden
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This potting mix from Ocean Forest is specially made for plants that prefer good drainage. This includes all aroids such as Monstera, fiddle leaf figs and orchids.
The product combines various elements including worm castings, forest humus, bat guano, crab meal, and peat moss.
The soil provides good aeration, which allows your indoor plant to develop a healthy and reliable root system. It also favors fast growth in plants, allowing them to develop lush foliage.
Also, the product, which is ideal for containerized gardening, will encourage strong branching in your plant. While the crab meal gives the product a strong odor, it provides essential nutrients for a green and healthy monstera plant.
The Ocean Forest soil mix has a pH value of 6.3-6.8, suitable for optimum fertilizer and nutrient uptake. Lastly, it’s fully organic, making it safe for pets and children.
Pros
- It has a good drainage
- It’s well-aerated
- It’s pH balanced
- It’s suitable for all indoor plants
- It’s rich in essential nutrients
Con
- It has a strong odor
7. The Best Soil For Monstera Obliqua- House Plant And Tropical Plant Potting Soil
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Are you looking for the best potting soil for your Monstera Obliqua plant? Look no further. This house plant and tropical potting soil is the perfect substrate for growing this unique monstera variety.
In addition to being entirely natural, the product combines a blended design with no chemical or fertilizer additive. This allows your plant to grow in an environment mimicking its natural habitat.
Also, the product, specially formulated for growing healthy houseplants, is suitable for outdoor and indoor containerized gardening. It’s also rich in organic humus and offers excellent drainage.
Other ingredients in this product include perlite, worm castings, peat moss, and lime.
Lastly, the product provides good aeration, allowing your Monstera obliqua to develop a strong and healthy root system.
Pros
- It’s rich in organic humus
- It’s 100% natural
- It’s well-draining
- It provides good aeration
Con
- It’s prone to pest infestation.
Buyer’s Guide-Picking the Best Monstera Soil Mix
Mimicking its natural habitat is the best plant care strategy for your Monstera. Fortunately, telling whether a specific soil mix suits your plant is a walk in the park. Here’s what to consider;
Good Drainage
Your potting mix must be well-draining for your Monstera plant to thrive. Water should pass through the soil moderately without forming puddles or pools.
Heavy or compacted soil typically has poor drainage and may result in monstera root rot. Consequently, this limits the root’s ability to absorb moisture and nutrients.
In contrast, if water drains too fast, the plant’s roots won’t have sufficient time to absorb enough moisture.
The soil should also include perlite, vermiculite, pumice, and fine gravel to enhance drainage. How well your soil drains will depend on the ratio of the mixture.
Retains Moisture
Your Monstera potting mix should retain moisture without being damp. When the soil is too soggy, it’s more likely to attract pests, including fungal gnats. Similarly, it may result in root rot.
Ensure the soil mix contains coco coir, clay pebbles, or peat moss to enhance water retention capability. Compost and bark may also help the soil to hold water.
If your soil mix dries quickly, you’ll need to water the plant more often, lest it ends up thirsty. Additionally, since Monsteras prefer humid conditions, you’ll want to maintain humidity at around 50%. Use a humidifier or water spray to keep your plant moist.
Slightly Acidic Soil
Typically, some nutrients are available to plants at a certain pH. For instance, iron, among other minerals, ceases to be available when the PH exceeds 7.5. Using such soil will result in the yellowing of your plant’s leaves.
Similarly, certain nutrients and microbes are unavailable to plants that grow on soil with extremely low pH levels. So, the soil mix you purchase should have a pH range of 5.5 to 7. Use a soil pH meter to determine the acidity or alkalinity of your growing substrate.
If your soil has a high pH, consider adding peat moss to lower it. On the other hand, use agricultural lime to increase the pH level as required.
Nutrient-rich
Monstera thrives well on soil rich in organic matter or humus. This is typical with the soil in the wild, which often includes dead decaying matter and animal dropping. Ensure the soil mix is rich in organic matter for your potted plant.
Compost and worm casting are good sources of organic matter. Additionally, they help boost microbe health, improving the soil structure. You can also create nutrient-rich soil for your plant by adding peat moss and fertilizer.
When organic matter is abundant, the plant blooms and develops large greenery with deep color.
Well-aerated
The roots of your Monstera plant require oxygen to grow and function. Subsequently, the soil mix you purchase should be airy and well-aerated. Compact soil cuts air from the potting mix, contributing to further root rot.
A well-aerated soil mix contains perlite, pumice, or vermiculite. If you can’t access these components, you’re better off using gravel, coarse sand, or bark chips.
Organic Vs. Non-organic
While most soil mixes contain natural ingredients, they aren’t organic if sterilized. Typically, manufacturers utilize mercuric chloride to destroy pathogens in their products. Similarly, radiation can be used inorganically to destroy pathogens.
Additionally, your soil mix may become inorganic if you add chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Luckily, most manufacturers use many natural ingredients since consumers are more inclined to use organic or natural products.
Ingredients in Monstera Soil Mix
Ingredients in your soil mix may vary depending on the manufacturer. Some recipes may include as few as two ingredients, while others have up to eight or more.
Here are some common ingredients in monstera soil mix and their role;
Peat Moss
Peat moss is the fibrous, organic material obtained from decomposing mosses and other plant matter in peat bogs. While it’s akin to your backyard compost, peat moss consists mainly of mosses, particularly sphagnum moss.
Peat moss, which holds moisture up to twenty times its weight, prevents nutrients from leaching when you water the plant. Additionally, it improves the soil’s texture and lowers the pH of your potting mix.
Lastly, sterile peat moss doesn’t compress or decompose, allowing it to last long. However, you can’t reuse it.
Coco Coir
Coco coir is the fiber obtained from a coconut husk. It resembles ground peat moss and enhances water retention and aeration in the soil. When using coconut coir, ensure that the woody fibers age well to minimize the rate at which it degrades.
Plant enthusiasts often mistake coco coir for usually larger coco chips. While coco fiber is sustainable and renewable, using it alone may result in pooling.
Perlite
Take a hard look at your soil mix, and you’ll notice some white specks. While we all know the specks as perlite, you might wonder why we add it to Monstera soil mixes.
Perlite is a non-organic material with a neutral pH. It’s formed by heating volcanic glass to temperatures above 1600 Fahrenheit. The heat makes it pop, expanding the glass by about 13 times its original size. This process makes it more porous and lightweight.
While perlite may aid in water retention, it’s highly porous, making it the perfect component for increasing soil drainage. It also improves aeration and makes the soil less compact.
Pumice
Pumice, a permeable foamy volcanic rock, is a good alternative to perlite. It’s used mostly for soil amendment and enhances drainage. Like perlite, pumice is neutral and doesn’t compact.
Pumice is a better alternative since it supports microbial life, which helps maintain soil texture.
Also, it doesn’t require additional processing and lasts longer. On the flip side, it’s heavier, more expensive, and less available. Also, it may be dusty depending on the grade.
Vermiculite
Vermiculite resembles mica and is a hydrous phyllosilicate (aluminum-iron magnesium) mineral. Before deploying it in gardening, you’ll want to heat vermiculite first. This way, it’ll expand and appear like pellets.
Besides being sterile, vermiculite doesn’t rot or mold. Moreover, it’s neutral and doesn’t degrade. However, depending on the origin, vermiculite may have an alkaline pH.
Similar to pumice and perlite, vermiculite improves soil drainage and aeration. Moreover, it helps the soil retain essential nutrients for your Monstera plant.
Unfortunately, vermiculite is often hard to find, making it expensive. Additionally, it stays wet for a long time.
Worm Castings
Also called vermicast, worm castings are organic manure obtained from angleworm waste or poo. The worm castings improve soil structure and provide nutrients to the plant.
In addition, it boosts essential soil microbes while repelling some pests, such as aphids or spider mites, that may attack your plant.
Worm castings also enhance aeration in the soil and improve water retention. Unfortunately, it’s expensive and takes longer to make, and you can only access them in small quantities.
Bark
Another popular ingredient in Monstera potting mixes is bark chippings. The chips enhance drainage, aeration, and water retention as well.
Additionally, bark chipping enhances soil structure and releases nutrients to the soil upon decomposing.
Lining bark chippings on your planter will improve aesthetics and repugn pests, including fungus gnats. Similarly, like sphagnum moss lining, it will minimize moisture loss. Lastly, using pine black in your soil mix can prevent root rot in your Monstera.
Charcoal
Activated charcoal or Biochar is a common ingredient in most monstera soil mixes. Charcoal plays an important role, including absorbing chemical impurities such as chlorine. Activated charcoal also features antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Other benefits of charcoal in your soil mix include absorbing excess water, improving drainage, preventing mold, and holding on to nutrients.
Signs That Your Monstera Plant Is in the Wrong Soil
Compromising the quality of your Monstera soil mix will take a toll on the plant’s health. Here are some common signs that you need to replace your potting mix;
i. Yellow Spots
In their natural habitat, Monstera plants prefer to stay well hydrated. Excess moisture in the soil inhibits nutrient absorption, impacting your Monstera plant’s health.
So, when the leaves develop yellow spots, inspect the soil moisture using a moisture probe to see if it’s too wet.
If the soil holds too much moisture, consider adding sand, bark, or clay to enhance drainage. Similarly, ensure that the planter drains well too.
ii. Brown Spots
Brown spots on monstera leaves are a major indicator of root rot. When root rot symptoms manifest on the leaves, the root is severely damaged.
However, root rot emits a distinct smell you might notice even before the brown spots appear.
Root rot is often a result of overwatering. So, ensure that water doesn’t pool in the soil.
iii. Drooping
Your Monstera leaves will start drooping due to insufficient moisture. When well-hydrated, the plant should stand up firmly.
If the soil is too dry, consider adding moist organic matter. Also, avoid adding more non-absorbent matter, such as sand and bark.
The drooping may also result from an unbalanced pH or little fertilizer. So, you’ll want to carry out a soil test if the plant droops even with adequate moisture.
How To Make Monstera Soil
Besides the ingredients, understanding the quantity of each composition is vital in making the best potting mix. Here is a simplified Monstera soil mix recipe to follow. Note that the ingredients may vary with the weather and location, so you need to know, “does potting soil go bad?”
Ingredients
- 25% Orchid Bark
- 25% perlite
- 10% worm casting
- 20% Coconut Coir
- 10% charcoal
Mix the ingredients in a bowl using a gardening spoon to achieve a proper balance.
FAQs
What Is The Best Soil Mix For Monstera?
The best soil for Monstera should be well-draining and rich in minerals. Additionally, the soil should be well-aerated and retain moisture. Combining equal proportions of coco peat, coir, orchid bark, and perlite will provide the nutrients and drainage for the plant to thrive.
What Ph Is Best For Monstera Plants?
Monstera Plants thrive in well-draining soil with a pH range of 5.5-7.0. This means that the soil should be slightly acidic. While some Monstera plants can tolerate slight variations in the pH, it isn’t ideal for their growth. Also, while agricultural lime lowers the pH, using peat moss raises the pH level.
Is Compost Soil Good For Monstera?
No, avoid using compost and cactus soil for your Monstera plant. Typically, compost soil is denser and limits drainage and aeration. However, adding compost to your monstera soil mix will provide additional nutrients, allowing the plant to thrive.
Is Orchid Potting Soil Mix Good For Monstera?
Since it drains well, you can use an orchid potting mix for your monstera plant. However, you’ll want to add some ingredients to help the soil retain moisture. Ingredients that improve the soil’s water retention ability include coco coir, peat moss, and compost.
Is Charcoal A Good Option For Monsteras?
Adding activated charcoal to your potting mix is a good way to promote drainage and aeration. Additionally, horticultural charcoal boosts the plant’s health by keeping pests away from your swiss cheese plant. To use it, mix ten parts of soil with one part of charcoal.
Conclusion
The best soil mix for Monstera should provide sufficient drainage and aeration. Additionally, the soil should contain essential nutrients for your plant to thrive.
Before purchasing any product for potting your Monstera plant, ascertain if it’s organic or sterile. If it’s sterile, provide the essential nutrients for your plant to thrive.
