Basic Houseplant Care: When to Repot Plants
Repotting is necessary for owning houseplants, but knowing when to repot houseplants can be tricky. Plants routinely need a bigger container or fresh potting mix, so repotting can help plants survive and thrive. Find out when to repot houseplants and what you need to know to make the entire process quick and easy.
Signs to Repot Houseplants
Houseplants can outgrow their container and need a bigger pot when that happens. A plant that fits tightly in its pot is known as being rootbound. A rootbound houseplant may experience stunted growth, and the plant may die because it does not have the room it needs to grow. Some houseplants like to be slightly rootbound. Often, flowering houseplants like to be mildly rootbound and are more likely to bloom when they fit snuggly in their containers. Knowing when to repot certain houseplants can be a careful balance, but there are two clear signs when it is time to repot.
Slow Growth
Slowed growth indicates that a plant is rootbound and needs a larger container. Growth above the soil will slow and even stop when the roots run out of space to grow.
Severely rootbound plants may stop growing altogether and possibly even start to decline. The potting soil can become compacted as the roots fill the pot; when this happens, the plant can dry out. If the potting mix cannot absorb water, the plant’s roots will not be able to soak up moisture, and the plant will dry out even though you are giving it water. If you notice most of the water immediately draining after watering and leaves appearing dehydrated, the plant is likely rootbound.
Visible Roots
The roots will try to spread and reach beyond the pot when a plant is rootbound. Roots grow through drainage holes in the container or appear above the soil line when there is nowhere else to go. A plant desperately needs to be repotted once the roots are visible.
How to Repot Houseplants
Spring is often the best time to repot houseplants. Most houseplants actively grow during the spring and summer and go dormant during the fall and winter. Try to time repotting right before the plant wakes up from dormancy or early in the growing season. You can repot plants throughout the summer, but handling new roots may stunt growth.
Wait until the plant needs water and the potting soil is dry. Slide the plant from the container and gently shake the potting mix loose from the roots. Avoid handling the roots as much as possible, but give them a quick look for signs of damage. Healthy roots will be white or cream-colored, while unhealthy roots will be black or dried. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to remove damaged roots as necessary.
Select the right-sized pot for your plant and the proper potting mix. Fill the new container partway with fresh potting soil. Place the plant in the new container and add more potting soil around the root ball until the container is full. Gently press the root ball into place. Give the plant a deep watering immediately until excess water drains through the new container.
Watch Your Houseplant Thrive
Repotting houseplants is necessary for plant care, but getting the timing right matters. Fast-growing houseplants, like spider plants and pothos, often need a new container every one to two years, while slow-growing plants, like hoyas and snake plants, can sometimes go many years before being repotted. Spotting the signs of a rootbound plant allows you to give your plant the best care possible.