Best Pot For Monstera

When it comes to caring for and maintaining plants, there are few things as important as having the right pot – particularly for larger plants like the Monstera Deliciosa, which require the proper drainage, the proper sturdiness, and enough stability to stop them from toppling over in high winds. 

But what exactly is Monstera Deliciosa, and what are the best pots to grow them in? 

In this article, we will take a closer look at the Monstera Deliciosa, and which type of pot suits them best – taking into consideration their specific needs and requirements, as well as things that you will need to know as the consumer/grower.

What Is Monstera Deliciosa?

Also known as the Swiss Cheese plant (or the split-leaf philodendron), Monstera Deliciosa is a flowering plant that found its origins in the tropical rainforests of southern Mexico (as well as in areas like Panama). 

Characterized by its large size, thick growth, and distinctive leaves, Monstera Deliciosa takes its name from the latin words for ‘monstrous/abnormal’ (due to the size and unusual leaf dimensions), and ‘delicious’ (referring to the edible fruits found on the plant). 

Like most similar plants, it can be kept outdoors in warmer climates, as well as indoors as a houseplant – the latter of which is the most common method for keeping the plant in countries that cannot reach the appropriate temperatures. 

Why Is It Called The ‘Swiss Cheese Plant’?

While known as Monstera Deliciosa amongst gardeners and botanists, the plant is also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant – a name that is derived from the shape and dimensions of the leaves, which have long been compared to Swiss Cheese or Emmental, both of which are famously littered with holes. 

What Kinds Of Pot Materials Work Best?

Of course, when it comes to choosing the right pot for your Monstera plant, there are certain materials that work better than others – and generally speaking, these can be narrowed down to the following three materials. 

Plastic Pots

Plastic pots are the cheapest variety available, and have many benefits for fresh growing plants, and those that need a little more help due to their environment. 

Plastic pots are great for controlling moisture levels – namely holding onto moisture, which is something that is important in hotter climates. Their cheapness also means that, as the plant grows and you need to repot, you can do so affordably.  

Terracotta

Terracotta pots are great all-rounder pots, and hold many benefits for Monstera plants. 

While they might be more expensive, they offer good drainage, plenty of breathability, and allow for fresh air to get inside to the roots and the soil – something that is beneficial in colder areas. 

Ceramic

Lastly, ceramic pots are great for fully grown plants – specifically those that are kept indoors – and they probably offer the most aesthetically pleasing look for your Monstera. 

However, they are generally more expensive, and are not suitable for outside plants – due to the fact that they are more susceptible to the cold and heat.  

Choosing The Right Pot For You

Now that we have taken a look at some of the best pots on the market, as well as the actual requirements that the Monstera Deliciosa has, let’s take a look at the ways you can make the right choice based on your needs and practices in the garden. 

The Best Pot For Early Growth

When growing a Monstera from seed, or from a sapling, you are better off starting with plastic. These are far cheaper for one thing, and they are easier to replace and scale up as the plant begins to grow. 

It would be foolish to purchase a ceramic pot from the get go, as this would not last long, and you would not get your money’s worth. And likewise, while terracotta pots have their benefits, they are better for once the plant is already established. 

The Best Pot For Overwatering

If you are prone to being a little too liberal with your watering – either by habit or by accident – then it is important to make the right pot choice accordingly. 

If this sounds like your situation, then you would be better off opting for a terracotta pot. These might be a little more expensive than plastic, but they allow for better drainage than plastic, and allow the roots to breathe better. 

This is important if you tend to overwater, as lack of breathing room and drainage can run the risk of root rot – due to the fact that moisture builds up too much in the roots. 

The Best Pot For Underwatering

However, if you are at the complete opposite end of the scale, and you struggle to keep a regular watering schedule with your plants, then you need to act accordingly when buying the right pot. 

If you yourself are a busy gardener – as many of us are – then you would do better to choose a plastic pot to accommodate for your lack of a watering routine.

This is because plastic pots hold heat, water, and moisture more easily, and will enable the roots to keep sufficiently moist for longer periods of time. 

The Best Pot For Dry/Humid Climates

If you live in an environment that is quite dry – such as California – or an area that similarly doesn’t have much humidity, then it is important to make the right choice for your plant. 

In this instance, you should definitely opt for plastic once again – namely for the same reasons as mentioned above. Plastic pots hold the water and moisture more effectively, and create more humidity for the roots, and as such are generally more beneficial. 

On the other hand, if you live in an area where the weather is too hot and humid, then you are better off going in the opposite direction – choosing either a ceramic or terracotta pot that can allow proper drainage and breathing of the roots. 

The Best Pot For Larger Plants

If your Monstera plant has reached full size and maturity, then you are certainly better off choosing either a ceramic or a terracotta. 

These offer much more stability and sturdiness than plastic, and will ensure that it does not topple over or become damaged should it get nudged or blown by gusts of wind. 

This can also support the sheer weight of the plant as it grows taller and reaches full maturity. This is the best way to avoid unwarranted damage, and ensure your plant remains safe and healthy for longer. 

The Best Pot For Outdoor Plants

If you are intending to keep your plant outside in the elements, then you need to make the right choice when picking a pot.

Terracotta is one of the better choices for outdoor use, as it is a pretty good all-rounder, and allows good drainage and ventilation for the roots. 

However, for drier climates, you might be better off choosing a sturdier variety of plastic pot, as these can sustain moisture. 

What Pots Should You Avoid?

However, there are also some pots that you are better off avoiding entirely when it comes to your Monstera Deliciosa. 

Self-Watering Pots

Firstly, you should avoid self-watering pots, as the Monstera needs the soil to dry out somewhat between feedings. With self-watering pots, the soil will remain too wet for too long, and as such this can result in root rot and other problems. 

Shallow Pots

You also want to avoid shallow pots, and opt for ones that are deeper in size. This is due to the fact that Monstera can be quite top heavy, and as such a shallow pot will not be able to support the weight on top of the plant. 

Small Pots

Likewise, you should also avoid pots that are too small in dimensions. Monstera plants require a lot of room for their roots, and if that room isn’t available, then the plant will not grow properly, and could even die. 

When this is combined with overwatering and other poor habits, then this will definitely result in root rot, or wilting of the plant. 

Large Pots

If your Monstera is still in the earlier stages of growth – in that it has not yet reached its full potential – then you need to ensure that you do not purchase a pot that is too large. 

This will keep the soil far too moist for the plant to survive and thrive in, and the only thing that it will invite is root rot and other avoidable problems. 

The Best Pots For Monstera Deliciosa

Now that we know a little more about Monstera Deliciosa, and the benefits that each kind of pot can bring to the table, we will now look a little closer at some of the best pots on the market, and the pros and cons that they have. 

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

1. INGOFIN Terracotta Pots

First on our list, we have this line of terracotta pots from INGOFIN. We have chosen these because they include a variety of different sizes, which can definitely save you money as you need to repot your Monstera plant. 

These pots come in sizes from 5, 6, to 7 inches, meaning that you are covered for the growing stages when repotting becomes essential. 

This set of three terracotta pots are both attractive and charming, and each come with a tray so as to stop run-off from the pots during watering. With plenty of drainage and room for your pots to breathe, these are great all-rounders for your Monstera Deliciosa. 

Pros: 

• Low price
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Good drainage
• Range of sizes

Cons: 

• Some delivery damage

2. Whonline Plastic Pots

Next we have the plastic pots by Whonline – offering the best value for money on this entire list.

For just a handful of dollars, you get a 40 piece pot set, with sizes ranging from 3 to 6 inches – meaning you will have plenty for any other plants you might have, or indeed if your pots become damaged. 

These are great if you live in drier environments, or if you plan to pot your plants outdoors, as they offer some of the most versatile conditions for your Monstera plants to grow – ensuring they have plenty of moisture and warmth.

These are the best way to ensure survival in younger plants, offering large holes for plenty of drainage, and thick plastic molding to ensure that they are protected from the weather.

Non-toxic, tasteless, and easy to clean, these pots are great for any number of garden applications, and will allow you to create the garden of your dreams in no time at all. 

Pros: 

• Low price
• Good value for money
• Tough and durable 
• Good drainage

Cons: 

• Suitable for small plants

3. LE TAUCI Ceramic Pots

Our last pick, but by no means our least, we have this set of ceramic pots by LE TAUCI. These ceramic pots are subtle, neutral, and great for a number of styles – allowing you to perfectly blend it into your current decor. 

The pricing is fairly moderate, which is good for those on a limited budget, and they each come with saucers and mesh pads – ensuring that there are no spillages during watering. 

The sizes for these pots come in 4.1 inches, 5.1 inches, and 6.5 inches – meaning you are prepared for all of the growth stages for your Monstera. 

Pros: 

• Moderate price
• Attractive designs
• Saucer and mesh pads
• Variety of sizes

Cons: 

•   Limited range of sizes

Buyer’s Guide

Now that we know a little more about the Monstera plant, and what exactly it requires from both a pot, and general upkeep, we can now look at some of the things that buyers need to look out for when choosing the right pot for their plant. 

Drainage

One of the most important things to consider when buying a pot for any plant is the drainage that it offers. This is incredibly important, as excess water and moisture has to be able to drain out of the pot at some point throughout the growing period. 

Size

Monstera plants can become quite large – as is their main selling point – but this means that it is important to have the right sized pots at the varying points of their growth cycle. 

This means avoiding pots that are too shallow or small – as the Monstera requires sufficient room for root development, and requires a deeper pot for stability and sturdiness once they have reached a substantial size. 

Weather Proof

The pot you choose also needs to be sufficiently weather proofed – especially if you live in countries that are prone to low temperatures and frost at varying points throughout the year.

Various forms of pots – such as terracotta and ceramic pots – are more than capable of withstanding temperature changes, which makes them great choices for plants that are being grown in those environments. 

However, plastic pots can be subject to damage and cracking – especially if the temperatures change drastically.

This means that, depending on the extremity of the weather in your region, you might be better off choosing something more sturdy and resilient. 

Sturdiness

As with any large plant, it is also important to choose a pot that provides the correct amount of support and sturdiness.

This will stop the Monstera from toppling over, or likewise being affected by strong winds and other adverse weather conditions that could otherwise cause damage. 

By having a sturdy pot, you stand the best chance of maintaining your Monstera for much longer, and ensuring healthy, strong growth as time progresses. 

Price

Of course, for many people, finding the right price is certainly an issue, and one that can seriously influence the choices you make. 

When it comes to plant pots, the stronger, better pots can lean more towards the expensive side of things, but this often comes with a degree of security and reliability that you just cannot get from cheap, plastic pots. 

The fact buyers need to consider is what they actually want from their plant pots, and how much they are prepared to spend for peace of mind.

Once you answer this question, and establish a budget you are comfortable with, you stand a better chance of finding the right product for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we know a little more about the care and upkeep that Monstera plants require, it is now time for us to take a closer look at some frequently asked questions.