Repotting guide for houseplants
Indoor greenery is a beautiful addition to any space. But plants aren’t purely decorative – they’re living beings that need care and the right conditions to thrive. If your houseplants look like they need some love, it might be time to repot them.
Never repotted a plant before? Don’t stress – we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a new plant parent or known for your brown thumb, we’ll show you how to repot a plant without killing it. Here are some simple instructions for repotting plants, to guide you through the process.
To repot or not?
Early spring is the best time to repot your houseplants, before the growing season starts. As a general rule, plants need fresh potting soil or a new container every 12 to 18 months – depending on how quickly they grow. But how do you know if your plant needs to be repotted? These tell-tale signals will help you realize if your plants want a new home.
One of the most obvious signs is when the plant looks too big for the pot – if the stems and foliage are more than 3 times the height of the pot, you’ll need a larger container. See if there are roots peeking out from the drainage holes, or if the roots have pushed the plant up out of the potting mix and are visible on the soil’s surface.
Check your watering schedule: water pooling on top of the soil and not absorbing, and plants drying out faster than usual are both hints that your greenery needs more space. Dry and crumbling soil, the buildup of salt and minerals on the plant or planter, and slow growth – these all tell you that it’s time to repot.
Repotting every 12 to 18 months is a good rule of thumb.
What do you need?
Firstly (and most importantly) you’ll need a plant: either one you have already, or a new one. Don’t repot plants right away after buying. If you’re repotting plants from a nursery or garden center, you can leave a plant in the container it came for a few days, or even weeks – so it gets used to your home environment. Make sure to water your greenery a day or two before repotting, so the roots are well hydrated.
Next, get yourself a planter and the right potting mix – check out our blog post on how to choose the best soil for your plants if you’re unsure. Fresh substrate replenishes nutrients and helps your greenery to grow. The old pot might still be the right size, but if the plant has outgrown its container don’t go too big: size up around 3-5 cm for smaller plants, and 7-10 cm for floor plants. Choose one with drainage holes and a saucer, or make sure you have a smaller plastic pot that fits inside the container if you want to use a closed-bottom planter.
If you’re using a pot with a drainage hole, make sure you have porous material (like coffee filters or plant nets) to cover the hole. Whichever container you choose, you’ll need lava stones or gravel. Non-essential extras include a trowel, gardening gloves, scissors or a knife, and a watering can.
With the right equipment, repotting is no sorcery.
How to do it?
Now for the step-by-step guide to repotting houseplants:
Prepare planter: Cover drainage holes with a porous material, so water can pass through but no substrate falls out (skip this step if you’re using a plastic nursery pot inside a closed container). Add a layer of lava rocks or gravel – this is essential to allow the plant to drain and prevent the roots from rotting. Sprinkle a base layer of new soil into your pot to cover the gravel, but leave enough space for the plant to fit inside.
Remove plant from its old pot: tilt the plant sideways, hold it gently by the stems or leaves, and tap the bottom of the pot until it slides out. Rotate the plant a few centimeters in either direction if it needs a bit of help getting out.
Gently remove your plant from the pot and get rid of dead roots.
Loosen roots: Tease out the roots with your fingers. Prune off any dead, soggy, discolored, or excessively long roots from the core root ball. Untangle the rest so they grow outwards. Shake off one third or more of the old soil surrounding the plant, taking care to preserve the root ball.
Add plant: Set the plant in the center of the pot, on top of the fresh layer of soil. Add potting mix around the sides until the plant is stable. Don’t pack down the soil too firmly – the roots need space to breathe.
Watering and care: Your plant will need a little extra water as it adjusts to its new home, and it might be more sensitive to direct sunlight for a while. Hold off on fertilizing for about a month.
And there you have it – a simple guide to repotting plants.
Once potted, your plant deserves a drink.
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