All plants (even those we grow indoors) aren’t naturally inclined to grow in containers. Some respond to it better than others, but you certainly won’t find any potted plants in the wild. Because we create these conditions, it’s also up to us to control them to keep our plants alive.
The roots of plants are used to a continuous growth, which fuels the growth above soil. If they don’t have enough space to grow, the roots will start wrapping around one another and growing in strange and unusual directions. If there aren’t any, the plant will stop growing altogether.
Root health is essential to a happy houseplant, so they can’t live like this forever. You must repot your plants if they are no longer growing or have run out space.
Even if your plants don’t outgrow their containers, it doesn’t mean you can skip repotting altogether. It will take a while for the soil to break down in containers without organic matter to boost its structure. It is possible to keep the plants in the container but you’ll still need to repot to replace the soil.
Repotting is a messy chore, but unfortunately, it’s not one you can skip. It can also give houseplants that are unhappy a boost and bring them back to life in a matter of weeks.
What Houseplants need repotting?
All houseplants require repotting. They may require repotting At different times and different reasonsRepotting is necessary for all plants that you keep in a container.
Repotting is recommended for most houseplants in their early growth stages or after three to four years if they are large mature plants.
Some plants may be repotted more quickly. African violet growers, for example, recommend repotting them every six months to maintain their appearance. But for most houseplants, it’s best to wait until your houseplants need repotting before putting them through the processes.
You may think older and established plants, such as indoor trees, don’t really need repotting. If you want your plants to last, even in large containers, it’s important to replace soil every 4 years.
It can be a tricky process (it took me quite a while to figure out how to repot my ceiling-high Fiddle Leaf), but since it’s required so infrequently, it’s not something to skip.
Repotting House Plants
Only repot plants when they are in dire need. We’ve all brought a new houseplant home and wanted to move it to a brand new pot immediately, but waiting until the right time when your plant is not already stressed will help limit risk.
This can lead to further stress or transplant shock. Houseplants don’t like having their roots exposed to the air and handled unnaturally. They also don’t like changes in environments, including things like new soil conditions. Although repotting does improve growth in the long term, it also results in short-term stress that you don’t want to induce regularly.
There are signs you should look out for to indicate when it’s time to repot, which we’ll look at next. But even if you don’t notice these signs at once, you should still consider repotting every four years or so if you haven’t repotted in a while.
Micro-scale: Spring is the best time of year to repotter.. The warmer temperatures help the plants recover quickly after repotting. You can repot whenever it’s warm, although you’ll need to watch your watering if repotting when temperatures are high.
While it’s not ideal to repot in fall or winter, it won’t do any serious damage if your indoor temperatures are still relatively warm. They’ll take a bit longer to bounce back, so don’t worry if you don’t spot any improved growth for a few weeks.
If you’re repotting due to problems with growth, such as root rot, don’t wait until the weather warms. Repot as soon as possible, regardless of the season. This will prevent the spread of the disease and remove any damage.
Signs Your Houseplant Needs Repotting
You can avoid forgetting to do this important task by repotting according to a schedule. However, it doesn’t consider the plant’s real needs. Instead, Look out for these classic signals that your houseplants require a new home.
Roots growing through drainage holes
If you notice roots growing out of drainage holes, this is a good indication that your houseplant could be struggling.
Due to the constrained space in containers, the plant’s roots will eventually hit the edge of the pot. The roots will then begin to grow back into the soil or circle the pot. When there isn’t any space at the bottom, the roots will grow through the holes to find more room.
This is what happens most often when you have your houseplant in a pot or on a drip tray. The roots are reaching downwards to the moisture and growing out of the drainage hole. The roots will be severely crowded. But this can also block drainage holesWaterlogging and rot are possible risks.
You will see the roots forming the shape of the container at the bottom of the plant when you remove it from its container. The roots will try to wrap themselves around each other in order to absorb water or nutrients. In these cases, it’s best to repot as soon as possible, no matter the season.
Top soil circling by roots
In the same way, you might notice roots poking out of the topsoil just before they burst through the bottom. It is not common for roots to grow upwards. This tells you that they are out of room at bottom and looking for space at top.
The phenomenon of girdling is also caused by the placement of roots in a circle at the top. By encircling its main stem, a plant girdles itself. Needless to say, this isn’t ideal!
It can also happen if you only water the top layer of the soil, without completely soaking it. Add small amounts at a given time. It is possible that this is the cause rather than a shortage of space. Make sure you water thoroughly until moisture runs through the drainage holes to ensure you’re watering sufficiently.
Dry Soil
Dry soil is typically dry. Signs that your houseplant needs water. You may decide to water the soil to saturate it without water running down the sides. What happens when the soil becomes unusually dry a few days after you watered?
This is an indicator of poor soil composition. Over time, soil in containers loses the ability to hold moisture and nutrients. This can negatively impact root health and growth, resulting in wilting or discoloration.
First, you should address underwatering. But if that’s not the issue, it may be time for a soil refresh.
Stunted Growth
When roots start wrapping around each other with nowhere else to go, it makes sense that you won’t spot any new leaf or stem growth either. The roots support growth above the soil, so if they’re stuck, the rest of the plant will be too.
It is difficult to diagnose stunted growth. For one, your plant won’t always rapidly produce new leaves and stems. Some plants are slower-growing than others. This makes it difficult to detect stunted growth.
Lack of growth also has many causes – not just lack of space. Some of the common causes for stunted plant growth include inadequate lighting, sudden temperature changes, and inconsistent watering.
Lifting your plant out of its pot is the easiest way to tell if it’s constricted. For larger houseplants this can be tricky, but is the best method to inspect the roots. Repot if they are overgrown and crowded. Look for other possible causes to prevent stress from compounding.
Discoloration
Yellowing or browning of the leaves is another sign your plant may be struggling. This could be due to incorrect care or conditions, but it can also mean that your plant needs more space or better soil. Start by pruning these off, then check the roots to decide whether it’s time to repot or not.
If pests or diseases are causing the discoloration, repotting may still be the answer, even if the plant doesn’t need more space. The soil is a hiding place for many houseplant pestsThey reproduce and spread on other plants. Repotting is also necessary to eliminate fungus that causes root rot.
Investigative work can help you identify the cause. Like stunted growth, you don’t want to repot and increase stress if there is a different cause.
Repotting Houseplants
Once you’ve determined it’s time to repot, you can follow these easy steps to get it right. Even though it might seem like an arduous task, compared with things like watering your plants, it can actually be quite therapeutic. It’s a great time to spend with your plants and help them grow.
My first suggestion is Repot outdoors if possible. Even if the soil is contained as much as you can, repotting will be messy. If you don’t have any outdoor space, lay down some newspaper to catch the soil, making clean-up painless.
Select a New Container
Before you touch any of your houseplants, you’ll need to find their new container. Size is more important than design or material when it comes to repotting. Unfortunately, Gardeners can also get it wrong..
If you assume choosing a much larger pot will help your houseplants grow quicker, I’m here to dispel that myth. Containers too large can inhibit growth and cause fungal growth because of the extra soil (and moisture) around the root.
Choose a container that is one or two sizes larger than the houseplant. This can be adjusted based on the growth stage – for example, a smaller Monstera can grow quite large in a few months in the right conditions, possibly requiring a slightly larger container. In general, you should go up two sizes at most in order to avoid stunting the growth.
If you’re only repotting to replenish the soil and your plant hasn’t grown much, you can remove the old soil and replant in the same container. Trimming the roots can also be done to re-energize them before planting the new soil.
Prepare Your Soil Mix
Next, you should consider the soil mixture. Houseplants are quite particular about the soil they grow in and don’t appreciate changes in conditions. You can’t just gather any soil from the garden and hope for the best.
To prevent rot, tropical houseplants require a mixture that is light and airy. I use a standard mix of two parts potting dirt, one part coir and one part perlite. However, you can adjust this to your liking.
Succulents have slightly different needs. The plants need to match the harsh conditions of their natural habitats. Look for a succulent and cactus mix that drains rapidly.
Orchids have their own preferences. They prefer to grow in orchid bark, which is more suitable for their epiphytic roots. Orchid bark that is damp and arid can often be enough for them.
Do some research on the soil requirements of your houseplants. Consider the current soil mix when deciding on the best components to avoid transplant shock.
Remove the Plant
Repotting can begin after the preparation has been completed. This starts with the simplest task – removing the plant from its current container.
If your houseplants are quite overgrown, they’ll usually pop right out of the container without any issues. Lift the plant from the bottom, not the leaves or stems. The faster the plant recovers, the less damage you cause when repotting.
It is possible that houseplants get stuck inside their containers and become difficult to remove. It happens more with terracotta containers than plastic ones, as the plants slip right out. If this happens, you can Use a knife to run along the pot’s edge If the pot is malleable, gently squeeze its sides to release the roots.
If there is resistance, don’t pull from the top. You don’t want to pull too hard and separate the roots from the stems. Turn the pot upside down and gently shake out the plant without pulling.
Tease The Roots
Next, you need to take the next step. This is especially important if your roots are entangled.
You can loosen the roots by gently raking them with your fingertips. It will encourage them to grow outwards and downwards into the soil, rather than remaining stuck in place. Also, tease the roots on the side – you want these to grow outwards too.
While you’re teasing the roots, remove some of the old soil around the roots. This allows for easier access to the roots. For fresh and You can see more of the root system by using a high-quality potting mix.
Use this opportunity to inspect your roots for any signs of damage. Trim any dead, mushy or damaged roots. This will help the plant to produce healthy new roots and fuel its growth.
Transplant
When you’re ready to pot up, fill the bottom of the container with a bit of soil, ensuring the base of the plant will sit just below the rim of the pot. Cover the drainage holes in the pot with coffee filters to prevent soil from spilling. The coffee filter allows moisture to drain out but stops soil from falling through.
You can fill the gaps in the soil with additional soil mix. The soil should be filled to the level of the plant. The stems and leaves will be more susceptible to rot if they are covered or left exposed. Problems with growth.
Fill it up just below the rim. You don’t want to fill it to the very top as this will cause soil to spill out when you water for the first time. Avoid unnecessary mess by leaving a small amount of space.
Once you’ve filled the container, press gently around the base of the plant to settle it in place. This will remove any air pockets that may have formed and let you know if more soil is needed. Don’t push too hard – you don’t want to compact the soil.
Water Immediately
When you’re done repotting, it’s important to water your plants to saturate the soil and settle the roots. Since they don’t like being exposed to the air. Watering will help to establish them in new soil, stimulating new growth.
Wait a couple of days before you water succulent plants such as Echeveria, or Aloe. These plants prefer dry soil. However, in these cases, the potting soil should be slightly damp before planting so they aren’t left completely without moisture.
Replace the Plant
Once you’ve finished repotting (and cleaned up the mess), Move your plant back where it originally was. The faster the plant will recover, the less it has to change after the repotting.
Final Thoughts
Repotting is a houseplant care task that can’t be skipped, no matter what you’re growing. But if you understand your plant’s needs and follow these easy steps, you won’t have any trouble getting it right.