AI OverviewIs your plant root-bound? This step-by-step guide shows you when and how to repot any houseplant without causing stress or shock. Learn to spot the signs, choose the right size pot, gently handle the root ball, and care for your plant after its move to ensure a happy recovery.
🪴 In This Guide 🪴
🔎 When to Repot: 3 Telltale Signs
Your plant will tell you when it’s time for an upgrade. Look for these signs, especially in the spring.
- Roots are Escaping: This is the most obvious clue. If you see roots growing out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, they are desperately searching for more space.
- The Plant is Root-Bound: Gently slide the plant out of its pot. If you see more roots than soil, and the roots are a dense, tightly wound mass, the plant is root-bound.
- Growth Has Stopped: If it’s the growing season (spring/summer) and your plant hasn’t produced any new leaves or stems in months, it may have exhausted the nutrients and space in its current pot.
🛠️ The Step-by-Step Guide to Repotting
Ready? Let’s get our hands dirty. It’s best to do this on a surface you can easily clean up.
Step 1: Choose the Right Pot
This is the most important decision. Select a new pot that is only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Choosing a pot that’s too big is a common mistake. A massive pot holds too much soil, which stays wet for too long and can cause root rot. And make sure it has drainage holes!
Step 2: Remove the Plant
Turn the plant sideways, hold it gently by the stems, and tap the bottom of the pot until the plant slides out. If it’s stuck, you can gently squeeze the sides of the plastic pot or run a butter knife around the inside edge to loosen it.Step 3: Loosen the Roots
If the plant is root-bound, you need to encourage the roots to grow outwards into the new soil. Gently massage the root ball with your fingers to loosen the tangled roots. If they are heavily coiled at the bottom, you can untangle them or even make a few vertical cuts with a clean knife. Be gentle!
Step 4: Repot and Water
- Add a layer of fresh potting mix to the bottom of the new pot.
- Place your plant on top of the fresh mix, making sure the top of the root ball sits about an inch below the rim of the new pot.
- Fill in the empty space around the root ball with more fresh potting mix, gently patting it down to eliminate large air pockets.
- Water the plant thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes. This helps the soil settle around the roots.
💚 Aftercare: Helping Your Plant Recover
Your plant just went through a big change! Here’s how to help it settle in.
- Place it Back: Return the plant to the exact same light conditions it enjoyed before. Don’t add the stress of a new location.
- Water Carefully: Consider bottom watering for the first few waterings to ensure even moisture and help the roots settle in their new home.
- Expect Some Drama: It’s normal for a plant to look a little wilted or even drop a leaf or two in the week following a repot. This is called transplant shock. Be patient.
- Hold the Fertilizer: Your plant’s new soil is full of fresh nutrients. Wait at least 4-6 weeks before you resume your normal fertilizing routine.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to repot a houseplant?
The best time to repot is during the active growing season, which is spring or early summer. This gives the plant plenty of energy to recover from the move and grow into its new space. Avoid repotting in the fall or winter when the plant is dormant.How much bigger should the new pot be?
Only go up one pot size, which means choosing a new pot that is just 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the old one. A pot that’s too big holds excess soil and moisture, which can lead to root rot.What is transplant shock and how can I avoid it?
Transplant shock is a period of stress a plant may experience after repotting, sometimes causing wilting or leaf drop. To minimize it, be as gentle as possible with the roots, repot quickly, and place the plant back in the exact same light conditions it was used to.Do I have to repot my plant?
Eventually, yes. Most houseplants will outgrow their pots every 12-18 months. If left in a pot that’s too small, a plant will become root-bound, its growth will be stunted, and its health will decline.👈 Previous Foundation: Fertilizing Houseplants
👉 Next Foundation: The Ultimate Guide to Propagation
🪴 See also 🪴
How to Propagate Succulents from Leaves & Offsets
How to Propagate Plants Directly in Soil: A Beginner's Guide
The Complete Guide to Dividing Houseplants: Refresh and Multiply
An Introduction to Air Layering for Indoor Trees
A Step-by-Step Guide to Propagating Plants in Water
The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation: Create New Plants for Free!
How to Use a Moisture Meter (and Never Overwater Again)
The Essential Houseplant Care Checklist & Routine
How to Fertilize Houseplants: A Simple Guide for Beginners
A Beginner's Guide to Houseplant Humidity (5 Ways to Stop Crispy Leaves)
Choosing the Right Potting Mix: A Beginner's Soil Guide
Houseplant Light Guide: How to Find the Perfect Spot for Your Plant
