When should I repot my houseplants?

Plants usually need to be repotted once a year, generally in the spring before they start to grow actively. But if you notice the roots growing out of the drainage holes, it's time to repot.

What materials do I need to repot my houseplants?

You'll need a pot that's one size bigger than the current pot, potting soil, a trowel, and a watering can.

How do I remove the plant from its current pot?

Gently tap the sides of the pot to loosen the soil and then gently pull the plant out. You can also use a trowel to loosen the soil from the edges of the pot.

How do I prepare a new pot for repotting a plant?

Clean the pot with hot water and soap, fill the new pot about a third of the way with fresh potting soil, and put the plant in it.

What should I do to the roots before I repot my plant?

Use a pair of scissors to trim off any dead or yellowing roots. You can also loosen the soil from the roots a little to give your roots a chance to spread a little easier in your plant's new pot.

How do I position the plant in the new pot?

Place the plant in the center of the new pot, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the rim of the pot.

How much soil should I add to the new pot after repotting?

Fill in the gaps around the plant with potting soil until it's level with the top of the root ball. This gives the plant plenty of space to keep growing.

How much water and sunlight does my repotted plant need?

Water the plant thoroughly after repotting and then allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again. The amount of sunlight your plant needs will depend on the type of plant – check the care instructions for guidance.

Can I fertilize my repotted plant?

Wait a few weeks after repotting before fertilizing to allow the plant to acclimate to its new environment. You can then fertilize as usual according to the plant's care instructions.

How do you repot your houseplants?

Q: How often should I repot my houseplants?

Generally, once a year or every two years is enough for most plants, but some plants may need to be repotted more or less frequently depending on their growth rate.

Learn how to give your houseplants a new place to grow with this ultimate guide to repotting. I'll guide you through the process, sharing my tips and tricks for keeping your plants happy and healthy. Get ready to transform your indoor jungle!

Happy Plant owner repotting a houseplant Have you ever seen your houseplant roots growing out of your pot's drainage holes? Are the leaves of your plants starting to wilt or turn yellow? It might be time to repot your houseplants!

Repotting your plants can be a little scary if you're just starting out. Does it hurt the plant? Are there any common mistakes I can make and what can I do to avoid these mistakes?

In this easy-to-follow guide on how to repot your houseplants, we'll look at why repotting is essential for the growth and health of your indoor plants. But we'll also look at the steps you should take to successfully repot your plant.

These are the topics we're going to look at in this guide:

Let's learn how we can successfully repot a houseplant and what we need to do to help our plants thrive!

Why is repotting my houseplant important for its health?

Over time, plants outgrow their homes and become rootbound. This means that their roots have taken over the pot, leaving little room for nutrients and water to flow. Repotting your plants into a larger pot helps to refresh the soil and gives your plant more room to grow.

Before you grab your gardening gloves and start to repot your plants, it's important to wait for the right time. Most houseplants love to be left alone and don't enjoy being handled frequently.

Repotting your plant is a little like buying new shoes. You need to adjust to your new situation. This is why you should wait for the spring or summer to repot your houseplants, as they can recover from any stress a little more quickly during this time of year.

Besides waiting for the right time of year to repot your plant, you should also make sure that your plant needs to be repotted. Some plants love to be rootbound and they thrive when they're going in a pot that's a little too small. Plants like Succulent and cacti love to take over the entire pot and don't want to be repotted as early as a plant like a Monstera.

Let's figure out how you can find out if your plant should be repotted!

How do I know when my houseplant needs to be repotted?

Rootbound plant

If you're thinking about repotting your houseplant, you should make sure it needs to be repotted. There are a few signs that your houseplant might need to be repotted. If the plant is pot-bound, meaning the roots are crowded and circling the inside of the pot, it may need a larger container.

If you're not occasionally checking the roots of your plant or if you can't check the roots, you can also see signs that your plant might be rootbound by just looking at the plant. A few of the signs that you can see your plant is rootbound without checking the leaves are slow growth (in the spring and summer), leaves that turn yellow, and soil that dries up very quickly after you've watered your plant.

If you notice any of these signs, your plant is ready to be repotted.

What size pot should I use for my houseplant?

When you're repotting your plant in a larger pot, it's important to note that you should pick a pot that's only one size larger than the current pot. The ideal size for a pot is a pot that is about 2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot. This will give the roots enough room to grow without being too large, which can lead to overwatering.

If you'd like to learn more about choosing the right plant for your plant, have a look at How do you choose the right pot size for your houseplants?.

How do I repot my houseplant?

Removing loose soil from a plant during repotting

Repotting your plant into a larger pot is quite easy and only takes a few steps! To repot your houseplant, follow these steps in order:

Carefully loosen the roots from the walls of the pot with your fingers. You can do this by carefully rocking the plant back and forth in the pot as well.
Slowly remove the plant from its current pot
Remove any loose soil from the roots
Place a fresh layer of soil at the bottom of the new pot. A layer of 1 inch should be enough
Place the plant in the new pot and fill the gaps in the sides with fresh soil
Remove air pockets in the soil with wooden skewers or your fingers around the plant
Place fresh soil on top of the soil, but don't go past 1 inch from the top of the pot
Water your plant well

It seems like there are a lot of steps, but once you've done this process once, you'll be able to do this with your eyes closed. The most important part of repotting your plant is that you're very careful when removing it from its old pot and that you make sure the fresh soil is nice and compact in the pot.

How often should I repot my houseplants?

After you've repotted your plant, you won't have to repot your plant again for at least a year. Some plants, like a Succulent or a Sansevieria grow very slowly, so they won't need to be repotted again for 2-3 years.

Faster-growing plants, like a Monstera or a Golden Pothos will need to be repotted again in 1-2 years.

If you've recently repotted a plant in a really large pot, you likely won't have to repot it again for another 3-5 years. As the pots get larger, the next size up will be quite a bit larger than the previous pot. Your plants can grow larger in these much larger pots for quite a long time.

What are some common mistakes to make while repotting a houseplant?

One of the most common mistakes people make when repotting their houseplant is using a pot that's too big. When you use a pot that's too large, it can lead to overwatering and root rot. It's important to only use a pot that is only one size larger than the current pot.

Another common mistake is not using a pot with drainage holes. This too can lead to overwatering and root rot and it's important to make sure the pot you choose has adequate drainage.

The last mistake people often make is packing the soil around the plant too tight. While it's important to remove any air pockets in the soil, you must avoid compacting the soil too tightly around the plant as this can prevent it from receiving enough oxygen.

These are the biggest mistakes I've made myself and hopefully this helps you to learn from my mistakes.

Can I repot a succulent or a cactus?

Woman repotting a cactus

Succulents and cacti are some of the most popular houseplants for beginning plant owners because they're easy to take care of. I thought it'd be a good idea to mention these types of plants specifically because I've gotten quite a few questions about them.

You can repot a succulent and a cactus, just like you can any other plant, but they generally do not need to be repotted as often as other houseplants. Succulents and cacti are adapted to dry, infertile soils and can tolerate being pot-bound for longer periods. When repotting a succulent or a cactus, be sure to use a well-draining potting mix specifically formulated for succulents.

Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.