Repotting Houseplants
Repotting Houseplants: How and When Guide
If a new or new-to-you plant has just arrived in your home, it will only need to be repotted if it’s root/pot bound or not thriving and in need of new potting mix. Repotting doesn’t always mean a bigger pot. Sometimes plants prefer not to be changed usless absolutely necessary.
Here’s what you’ll want handy:
•Your new houseplant, of course.
•The planter you’re potting into (if it’s a previously used pot be sure to scrub it first by using isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide and let air dry.) A general rule of thumb is the new pot should be only 1-2 inches larger than the existing pot.
•Use a potting mix designed specifically for indoors and for houseplants. There are also potting mixes designed for cactus and succulents to assist with the drainage requirement of those particular plants. An outside soil will lead to disease and pest problems. Choose a mix such as ferti•lome Ultimate Potting Mix or FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting Soil.
•Lava rocks or similar material if your planter does not have a drainage hole or to help larger pots have better drainage. You can also use a masonry drill bit to drill a drainage hole in the pot. A pot with drainage is best.
Tips to remember:
•Slow growers can remain in the same pot for years.
•Roots coming through drainage holes or wrapping around themselves in the pot indicates a need for a new pot.
•Increase pot size by only 1-2” larger than the existing pot.
•Drainage is important!
•Early spring is the best time to repot your growing houseplants.
Steps to Repot Houseplants
Tip: It’s easier to repot a plant with moist soil.
1. Remove the plant from the current pot. Turn your new plant sideways, hold it gently by the side of the root ball and tap the bottom of the pot until the plant slides out. You might need to give it a bit of help with a couple gentle tugs on the pot while holding the top of the root ball.
2. Loosen the roots. Loosen the plant’s roots gently with your hands. You can prune off any unhealthy or threadlike roots that are extra long, just make sure to leave the thicker roots at the base of the foliage. If your plant is root bound (roots are growing in very tight circles around the base of the plant) unbind the roots as best you can.
3. Remove the old potting mix. Remove about one third or more of the potting mix surrounding the plant. As it grew, your plant removed some of the nutrients in the current mix, so you’ll want to give it fresh mix if you’re repotting it anyway!
4. Add the new potting mix. Pour a layer of fresh potting mix into the new planter and pack it down, removing any air pockets. If your new planter doesn’t have a drainage hole, layer the bottom with lava rocks or similar material (rocks, gravel, etc.) before adding the potting mix. The goal is to create crevices for the extra water to pool into, away from your plant’s roots.
5. Add the plant. Set your plant on top of the fresh layer of mix in the new planter, making sure it’s centered, then add potting mix around the plant until it is secure. Be sure not to pack too much soil into the planter, as you want the roots to breathe. Keep the soil line 1 inch below the lip of the new pot.
6. Make sure to water well with a root stimulator and enjoy! We like ferti•lome Root Stimulator.
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