Monstera deliciosa is a beautiful, tropical plant that is popular in homes and offices around the world. Its large leaves and lush growth make it a showstopper!

Monstera is a relatively easy plant to care for, but there are some things you should know about its soil and potting mix. In this blog post, we will discuss whether or not you can use orchid potting mix for your monstera plant.

Can I Use Orchid Potting Mix for Monstera?

No, you should not use orchid potting mix for your monstera plant. The orchid potting mix is too light and airy for monstera, and it does not provide the right nutrients that monstera plants need to thrive.

However, you can use SOME orchid potting mix in your monstera potting mix. We recommend using about 20-30% orchid potting mix and the rest should be a quality monstera potting mix.

If you cannot find a quality monstera potting mix (this tropical potting mix is great), you can make your own! To do this, simply start with a standard potting mix, and then a handful of coco fiber, perlite, and some bark.

What Does Orchid Potting Mix Contain?

Orchid potting mix is made up of a variety of materials, including bark, sphagnum moss, charcoal, and perlite. These ingredients work together to provide the perfect environment for orchids to grow in.

The bark provides structure and drainage, while the sphagnum moss holds moisture and nutrients. The charcoal helps to keep the potting mix clean and free of toxins, and the perlite provides aeration.

As you can see, the ingredients in the orchid potting mix are very different from what monstera plants need to thrive. For this reason, we do not recommend using an orchid potting mix for your monstera plant.

Why Can’t I Use Orchid Potting Mix for Monstera?

The main reason you cannot use orchid potting mix for monstera is that it is too light and airy. This can cause the roots of your plant to dry out quickly, which will lead to stress and eventually death.

In addition, the orchid potting mix does not provide the right nutrients that monstera plants need to thrive. There are none of the vital nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium that monstera plants need to grow.

For these reasons, it’s best to stick with a quality monstera potting mix or make your own. This will ensure that your plant gets the nutrients it needs and has the proper drainage to avoid root rot.

What Soil Does Monstera Need?

Monstera needs a well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil should be loose and airy, yet moist and rich. A good monstera potting mix will have a mixture of rich organic matter, such as compost or manure, and lightweight material like perlite or coco fiber.

The organic matter will provide nutrients for your plant, while the perlite or coco fiber will help to aerate the soil and keep it from getting too compacted.

You can find these ingredients at your local garden center or online. Simply mix them together in a large container and you are ready to pot your monstera!

When it comes to watering, monstera likes to be kept evenly moist. However, they are sensitive to overwatering, so make sure you allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, you should not use orchid potting mix for your monstera plant. However, you can use some orchid potting mix in your monstera potting mix.

Remember that monstera plants need well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. While orchid potting mix provides the latter, it does not provide the former.

We hope you found this blog post helpful! If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach out to us. We are always happy to help!