Plant care · 5 min read
Repotting 101: when and how
Spot root-bound plants and repot without the stress.
Look for signs, not a deadline
Roots circling tightly around the pot, emerging from drainage holes, or soil drying unusually quickly can suggest a plant needs more room. Check the root ball carefully; slow growth alone is not proof that a larger pot is needed.
Choose a modest upgrade
Pick a draining pot only a little wider than the current one, rather than a dramatically larger container. Too much extra soil can stay wet for too long. Use fresh potting mix suited to the plant; succulents need a more free-draining mix than many tropical foliage plants.
Repot gently
Prepare your pot and mix first. Ease the plant out while supporting the root ball, gently loosen tightly circling roots, and remove only clearly damaged roots with clean tools. Set it at the same planting depth and fill around it without compressing the soil heavily.
After repotting, follow the watering needs of your plant and its soil condition. Keep it in a suitable sheltered spot while it settles, avoid immediate heavy fertilizing, and watch for prolonged wilting or waterlogged soil.