How I Killed My Thriving Monstera: Learn from My 4 Costly Mistakes

When I tell people I now have over 40 thriving houseplants—including a shockingly healthy Venus flytrap—they assume I’ve always had a green thumb. But the truth? My first Monstera was an unintentional sacrifice to my beginner plant parent enthusiasm.

I was so excited to be the “perfect” plant mom. I cleaned the leaves, bought the prettiest pot, even researched how to make it climb. But beneath that excitement, I had no idea how easily my good intentions could go sideways.

Here’s the story of how I killed the plant I loved the most—and what I wish every beginner knew before they make the same mistakes.

1. Winter Repotting When Happy

Let me paint you the scene: My Monstera was full, glossy, and pushing out new leaves. I figured, “If it looks this good now, imagine how happy it’ll be in a bigger pot!“

Here’s the trick I didn’t know—repotting during winter is not a glow-up. Plants enter dormancy in colder months, and root disturbance at that time is risky. I was acting on beginner logic: more space = more growth.

Instead, I shocked a perfectly content plant. Within a week of the repot, the leaves drooped, and new growth stalled. What I learned? Happy plants in winter don’t need fixing. Step back—your plant might just need space, not saving.

2. Overwatering in an Oversized Pot

My second mistake built on the first: I watered generously after repotting—thinking I was “helping it adjust.” But the new pot was far too big, and the soil stayed soggy for days.

Combine a too-large pot with cold-season watering, and you’ve got a root rot cocktail. I was smothering my Monstera with love—and moisture.

I didn’t understand how soil aeration and pot size affect drainage. Looking back, I should’ve scaled back watering and used a chunky, fast-draining mix. You can grab the soil I use now Molly’s Aroid Mix—it’s saved more than one struggling root system.

3. Obsessive Leaf Manipulation

This one still makes me cringe. I wanted my Monstera to look like the Pinterest photos, so I spent hours rotating, staking, and “repositioning” stems and leaves.

Here’s the kicker: Monstera stems are sensitive. My constant fiddling led to bruised petioles, stress, and stunted growth. I thought I was “styling” it—turns out, I was stressing it out.

Now I let my plants do their thing and only adjust gently as needed. Nature knows best. If you’re a fellow perfectionist, trust me: the plant isn’t Instagram—it doesn’t need to be picture-perfect to be healthy.

4. Choosing Pot Size by Appearance

I assumed my Monstera’s big, dramatic leaves meant it had an equally massive root ball. So I chose a huge decorative pot to match.

Spoiler: Leaf size ≠ root size.

When I eventually had to do an emergency unpotting, I was shocked to find how small and fragile the root system actually was. That oversized pot had encouraged soggy soil, which led to my biggest heartbreak—root rot that killed 80% of the roots.

What I wish I knew back then? Always check the root ball first. A snug pot is better than a cavernous one, especially if you’re just starting out.

Remember, your Monstera doesn’t need perfect care — it just needs consistent, thoughtful care. Every leaf it unfurls is a thank-you.

The Aftermath: My Crash Course in Plant Recovery

In a panic, I repotted my Monstera back into its original nursery container. I trimmed away mushy roots and crossed my fingers.

The result? A weak, leafless stump with only three leaves clinging to life. It was humbling—this was the only plant I’d ever killed, and it was the one I had loved most.

That crash course in plant triage taught me more than any blog post ever had. The Monstera didn’t die in vain. It taught me patience, observation, and how to listen.

What I’ve Learned Since Those Early Days

Since then, I’ve rebuilt my plant collection with care. My soil mix now includes orchid bark, perlite, and worm castings for airflow and nutrients. I monitor roots before repotting and match pot size to root size—not the plant’s height.

My watering routine is now guided by moisture meters and knuckle tests, not excitement. You can grab the moisture meter; it’s the simplest way to stop second-guessing your soil.

And best of all? My three-leaf Monstera is pushing out a fourth. Growth is slow, but it’s steady. And every new leaf is a quiet, green apology for all my early missteps.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever killed a plant you loved, you’re not alone. Mistakes aren’t failures—they’re part of the journey.

I used to think being a good plant parent meant always doing more: more water, more attention, more care. But now I know the truth—sometimes, the best care is restraint, trust, and giving your plants the space to thrive on their own terms.

If you’re starting your plant journey, let this be your gentle warning and hopeful guide. Don’t repot a thriving plant in winter. Don’t drown it in love. And don’t forget to check the roots—both yours and your plant’s.

Want to avoid the same mistakes? Save this article or pin it for later. Trust me, your future Monstera will thank you. 🌱