Give Your Houseplants Room to Grow: A Guide to Repotting
As houseplant lovers, we all want our leafy companions to flourish. We invest our time, energy, and love to ensure they thrive. And just like we need to upgrade our living spaces from time to time, so do our plants! Houseplants can't live in the same pot forever. At some point, they'll outgrow their home and need a little more room to stretch out.
Repotting can seem intimidating, but it's a straightforward process that will ensure the long-term health of your plants. By refreshing the soil and giving them more room to grow, you're rewarded with vibrant, healthy foliage.
Is it Time to Repot? Look for These Signs
So, how do you know if your plant is ready for a bigger pot? The best time to repot is during the growing season, which runs from spring through summer. Look for these tell-tale signs:
Roots are taking over. This is the most obvious sign. If you see roots peeking out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot or circling around the top of the soil, your plant is begging for more space. This is a great sign that you're a successful plant parent!
The plant looks droopy or stunted. A plant that has outgrown its pot might not be able to get enough water and nutrients. This can lead to drooping stems, shedding leaves, or new leaves that are smaller than older ones. For example, if your Pothos starts producing smaller leaves on its new growth, it's a good time to repot.
The soil is dry or compacted. When you water your plant, does the water drain right through without soaking in? This can indicate that the roots have taken over most of the pot, leaving little room for soil to hold moisture. Over time, potting soil can also become compacted and lose its ability to provide proper nutrients and drainage, which can lead to root rot.
This Monstera Peru featured above shows that it will need a repot soon. As for my ZZ Plant, drooping stems and overcrowded planter shows that a repot is needed soon as well.
A Few Exceptions to the Rule
Some houseplants, like Snake Plants, ZZ Plants, Pothos, Hoyas, and Jade Plants, actually prefer to be a little bit root-bound. A snug fit in their pot makes them happy. However, even these tough plants need a new home if their roots start cracking or breaking the pot. Snake Plants, in particular, have strong roots that can easily damage a plastic pot.
Your Repotting Toolkit
When you're ready to get your hands dirty, it's helpful to have a few things on hand:
A new pot. The general rule is to choose a new pot that's only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the old one. Going too big can lead to excess moisture and root rot.
Fresh potting mix. You'll need fresh soil to fill the new, larger pot.
A clean workspace. A potting mat or even a few old newspapers will keep the mess contained.
Optional tools. A soil scoop and a pair of shears can be handy. Shears are great for trimming away any unhealthy roots or dead leaves.
The Step-by-Step Repotting Process
1. Prepare Your Workspace. Lay out your new pot, soil, and tools. Having a small, clean nursery pot nearby can be helpful to place the plant in while you prepare its new home.
2. Remove the Plant. Gently pull the plant out of its old pot. If it's being stubborn, use your fingers to gently loosen the soil and roots. For seriously root-bound plants, you may need to carefully cut away the old pot to get the plant out.
3. Inspect the Roots and Soil. This is a crucial step! Healthy roots are firm, plentiful, and can range in color from white to tan. The soil should have a neutral, earthy smell. If the roots are mushy, soft, or dark, or if the soil has a musty odor, your plant might have root rot. If this is the case, use your shears to trim away any unhealthy roots.
4. Settle the Plant into its New Home. Add a small layer of fresh soil to the bottom of the new pot. Place your plant in the center and fill the surrounding space with new soil, gently shaking the plant to help the soil settle around the roots.
5. Water Thoroughly. Give the plant a good watering until you see water draining from the bottom. This helps the roots acclimate to the new pot and soil.
Take a moment to admire your hard work! With a little extra room and some fresh soil, your houseplant is ready to keep thriving. Happy planting!
