Why Your Monstera Isn’t Thriving—And the One Soil Change That Fixes It

by Lisa Mays

Having a Monstera at home should be exciting. These plants can make any space look amazing with their big, tropical leaves and cool patterns. But sometimes, instead of getting bigger and stronger, your Monstera starts to droop, look sad, or turn brown and yellow.

It’s easy to feel confused and wonder what you’re doing wrong. We know, because we’ve felt the same way. The good news is, there’s usually one simple thing that can make all the difference: changing the soil.

Taking care of a Monstera isn’t always easy. Watering too much, not giving it enough light, and changing temperatures can all cause problems. Even humidity in the air matters more than you might think.

But after seeing so many Monsteras struggle, we’ve learned that the number one reason these plants stop thriving is the dirt or soil you put them in. Changing your Monstera’s soil is one of the best things you can do to help it bounce back and grow strong again.

Let’s look at why Monsteras sometimes struggle and exactly how making just one change to their soil can help them grow more leaves, get bigger, and become the centerpiece of your room.

Why Monsteras Have a Hard Time Inside

A lot of people who love plants get frustrated when their Monstera looks limp or droopy, gets yellow or brown leaves, or stops making new leaves. Sometimes old leaves fall off, or the leaves that grow don’t have the cool holes or splits that Monsteras are famous for. Even if you water, feed, and talk to your plant, it can still struggle.

When you see these signs, it usually means your plant isn’t getting what it needs. Most people know that water, sunlight, and humidity matter, but many forget how important the soil is. The wrong soil makes it hard for your Monstera to get the nutrients, water, and air it needs to stay healthy and grow.

What happens in the wrong soil:

  • Roots sit in soggy, wet dirt that can lead to root rot (roots turn black, mushy, and smelly)

  • The plant can’t get enough nutrients or oxygen

  • Roots can’t spread out or breathe, which makes the whole plant weak

  • Bad soil often stays wet for too long, which can cause fungus or mold

It’s not your fault if this happens. Most of the time, the real problem is just the soil—not you! Even great plant parents can have trouble if their Monstera doesn’t have the right place for its roots.

Why Monsteras Need Different Soil

Unlike most houseplants that can survive in regular potting soil, Monsteras are a bit different. In the wild, they grow in rainforests, climbing up trees with their roots spread out in loose, chunky soil full of old leaves, bits of bark, moss, and decaying plants.

This kind of soil is very different from the thick, heavy potting mix you find at most stores. Regular garden soil or basic potting soil is usually too packed and holds too much water for Monsteras to do well.

Monsteras love soil that:

  • Lets roots breathe easily

  • Holds just enough water, but not too much

  • Has plenty of air pockets and drains quickly

  • Is rich in natural nutrients that help the plant grow strong

If you use regular soil, your Monstera’s roots can get squished, waterlogged, or even rot away. That’s why you need a special mix made just for Monsteras and other tropical plants, called aroids.

The right mix helps the roots take in water and nutrients, but also lets them dry out a bit between waterings so they don’t get sick.

How To Tell If Your Soil Is Hurting Your Monstera

If you’re not sure what’s wrong with your Monstera, look at the soil and roots. There are a few easy signs that your soil might be the problem:

  • Leaves turning yellow or brown, mostly at the tips or edges

  • Stems and leaves drooping even though you watered recently

  • Your plant hardly grows, or stops making new leaves

  • Roots look black, mushy, or smell bad when you peek in the pot

  • The soil smells like mold or mildew

  • Dirt stays really wet or soggy for many days after you water

If you notice even a couple of these things, your Monstera is probably telling you it needs a new home for its roots. Healthy soil is the secret to happy plants.

The One Soil Change That Fixes Everything

Here’s our biggest tip: use a chunky, fast-draining soil mix made for Monsteras, aroids, or tropical plants. This kind of soil is full of pieces that create air pockets, lets water drain quickly, and mimics the loose, crumbly forest floor where Monsteras naturally grow.

If you want to make things easy, you can choose from our range of premium soil blends—such as Bonsai Soil, Indoor Plant Soil, or Orchid Soil. These blends provide the perfect balance of drainage and moisture, creating an ideal environment for Monstera roots to thrive. Just look for a mix that is “airy,” “chunky,” or “well-draining” to give your plant the strong foundation it needs.

For an extra boost, we recommend pairing your chosen soil with our Professional Monstera Plant Fertilizer (3-1-2 concentrate). This targeted formula supplies essential nutrients that help your Monstera grow lush, healthy leaves all season long.

Why does this special soil help so much?

  • Airy soil lets roots get the oxygen they need so they don’t suffocate or rot

  • Water flows through and drains out easily, so the roots aren’t sitting in puddles

  • Extra air and space mean roots can grow bigger and reach out for more nutrients

  • Roots stay strong and healthy, so the leaves stay green, shiny, and full of holes

This all helps your Monstera stay strong and grow new leaves faster.

Extra Tips For A Healthy Monstera

Getting the soil right is huge, but there’s more you can do to help your Monstera be the best plant on the block:

  • Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry to your finger. Don’t keep the soil wet all the time.

  • Monsteras love bright, indirect light. Too much direct sun will burn the leaves. Not enough light will make the plant tall and skinny.

  • They need humidity. If your home is dry, mist the leaves, set the pot on a tray of wet pebbles, or use a humidifier.

  • Feed your Monstera with our Professional Monstera Plant Fertilizer (3-1-2 concentrate) every 4 to 6 weeks during spring and summer. Just follow the instructions on the label, and remember not to use too much—more isn’t always better!

  • Wipe dust off the leaves once a month. Clean leaves can soak up more sunlight and look nicer.

  • If your Monstera gets too big, trim it back. You can even grow a new plant from the cuttings!

The Real Secret To Monstera Success

If your Monstera isn’t doing well, don’t be too hard on yourself. Even experienced plant lovers make mistakes. Most of the time, changing the soil is what really helps.

Try using one of our chunky, well-draining soil blends like Bonsai Soil, Indoor Plant Soil, or Orchid Soil, and you’ll see your Monstera get healthier and more beautiful, with new leaves popping out and the whole plant looking stronger than ever.

For even better results, pair your soil choice with our Professional Monstera Plant Fertilizer (3-1-2 concentrate). Check your plant’s soil today, make the change, and get ready to watch your Monstera grow into a real show-stopper!

 

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