Repotting indoor plants is good and merriment . In this situation , you ’ll hear everything there is to know , include how to secernate if it needs to be repotted , when and how often to do it , and get tips for choosing the best pots and filth . Then I ’ll show you incisively how to repot houseplants stone’s throw - by - step .
Repotting is good , and an of import part ofgrowing houseplantsthat are healthy and happy . But you should only do it at the right time , and for the right-hand reason .
If the only reason you want to repot a houseplant is to put it into a prettier planter , or because it ’s something you just do every year … well , those are the wrong intellect . These habits can end up cause problems with your houseplant .
Roots growing on top of the soil of a pot-bound plant
But do n’t care . After reading this article , you ’ll have all the information that you need in order of magnitude to feel confident that you ’re doing it right , and you ’ll know exactly when and how to repot plant life .
Table of Contents
What Is Repotting?
Repotting , or “ potting up ” , is simply moving or transfer a plant from one container to another .
Though most houseplant can exist in the same container for several year , they will finally become rootage - tie up .
What Does Root-bound Mean?
The term “ root - bind ” ( also called “ pot - bound ” ) mean that the origin have grown to fill the pot whole , leave little of no room for new outgrowth .
When this happens , the filth will no longer be able-bodied to bear the wet and nutrient the plant involve in rules of order to thrive . As a result , its wellness will begin to wane .
Do You Need To Repot Indoor Plants?
Once a houseplant has become pot - leap , then yes , it ordinarily needs to be repotted . However , as I touched on above , most can stay in the same pot for a long time .
In fact , some in reality detest to be repotted , and prefer to be gage - bounce . So it ’s best to only repot indoor plants when they demand it , rather than doing it on a set schedule , or for esthetic purposes .
Why Repot Plants?
houseplant will do good from being repotted when they need it . Not only is it fun to put them into coolheaded young containers , but there are heaps of benefits of repotting plants too .
move plant into a new container gives them more room to grow , refreshes dusty filth , replenishes lost nutrients , and triggers healthy new emergence . Here are all the benefits …
How To Tell If A Plant Needs Repotting
It ’s usually somewhat well-situated to tell when a plant life needs to be repot . Here are the telltale signs to watch out for …
If you ’re still unsure that your indoor plant needs repotting , then work it on its side , and gently slue it out of the sight .
If there ’s a dense muckle of root with very little soil left in the pot , or the roots are circling around the inside , that have in mind the it is root - hold .
Also , if it wo n’t slither out of the dope easily , and seems to be stuck , that ’s also another undecomposed sign that it is smoke - bond .
Related Post : The Best Indoor Houseplant Supplies , Tools & Equipment
Should You Repot New Plants?
No , not mighty away . For some understanding , many people think the first thing they should do with a brand new plant is repot it . But this is a uncollectible habit to get into .
Think of all the stress the pathetic thing has already been put through .
It went from living in idealistic conditions in a greenhouse , to being moved to a garden center ( where they do n’t always get the best caution ) , to being moved , yet again , to your sign of the zodiac .
Whew , the inadequate matter need a break !
So next time you bring home a new indoor plant , give it a few weeks to aline before repotting it .
This will also give you fourth dimension to pick up about the ideal forethought it needs to thrive , quarantine it for bugs , and supervise it for signs of tension .
If you ’re dying to repot your newfangled houseplant because of the worthless greenhouse pot that it came in , just hide it by dropping it into a cosmetic cache pot .
Tips For Repotting Plants
Before repotting any industrial plant , it ’s best to do a little inquiry to see how well it will do . Some hate being transfer , or prefer to be pot - bound .
In fact , some flowering plants wo n’t arrange bud until they ’re pot - bound .
Here are some tips so know when and how often to repot , as well as the best type of containers and soil to practice …
When To Repot Plants
Spring or early summertime is the best time of the year to repot indoor plants . Repotting stimulates new ontogenesis , which is not what you want to do during the fall and winter months .
But commend , only repot them when they need it . And never repot a industrial plant that is sick or dying , or one that has a germ plague , or you could vote down it .
Repotting indoor flora for purely aesthetic reasons is never a good theme either .
How Often To Repot Plants
Generally talk , most houseplants do n’t need to be repotted very often .
If you put them outside during the summertime , they will probably outgrow their planter quicker , and will call for to be repotted more often .
Many can happily live in the same container for several geezerhood without any issues .
So , rather than mechanically repot houseplant on a regular basis , watch for the signs that they actually need it .
Choosing The Best Pot
When repotting houseplants , choose a Modern container that ’s only one sizing larger than the master copy .
For example , move it from a 4″ to a 6″ sizing , but not up to a 10″ sizing . I also recommend using a pot that has drainage holes , because it helps prevent overwatering .
If you run to irrigate too much , then use a plain terracotta planter . The clay helps to wick moisture out of the grunge so it will dry out faster .
On the flip side , if you forget towater your indoor plants , then apply one that ’s sealed , glazed , or made out of plastic .
Before reuse a container that had a different plant potted in it , check that to scrub it with soap and water . This is a crucial step that ’s very important for preventing the transportation of any disease or bugs .
Myflower dope bristle brushwork perfect for this job ( plus it ’s cute too ! ) . If you ’re using a container that ’s made out of cadaver or difficult plastic , you may put it on the top shelf of your dishwasher to disinfect it .
How To Keep Soil From Falling Out Of The Pot
Some people do n’t care using potty with drainage holes because they occupy the soil will fall out and make a mess . Well , there ’s a super well-situated fix for that !
To keep the soil in , while still allowing the water to debilitate out , cover the holes in the pot withdrainage gauze , or use a piece of screen material orlandscape fabric .
Best Soil For Repotting Houseplants
you’re able to apply ageneral intention pot soilfor most indoor plants . But keep in judgment that some may require a unlike character of admixture , or a special produce medium .
For object lesson , orchid require anorchid potting mix , and succulents prefer a quick - drainingsandy potting mix .
If you ’re unsure of what to employ , it ’s effective to look up the specific potting sensitive recommend for your houseplant .
Always expend a brisk , uninventive potting intermixture when repot houseplant . If there ’s any dirt left in the old pot , it ’s fine to plunge that into the new plantation owner . But do n’t reuse soil from one indoor plant to another .
Also , your indoor plant will grow best in a good quality potting mix rather than cheap crap , so do n’t cut costs here .
And never , never apply garden soil for pot houseplants . Learnhow to make DIY houseplant soil here .
How To Repot A Plant Step-By-Step
Once you make up one’s mind that your houseplant needs to be repotted , it ’s a good mind to irrigate it a daytime or two before you plan to repot it .
This will make it promiscuous to remove it from the crapper , and helps to cut the danger of transplantation electrical shock .
Supplies take :
pace 1 : Prune any roots grow out of the drainage holes – If there are roots growing out of the drainage holes , then trim those off first .
This will make it much easier to remove the plant . Precisionpruning snipsorbonsai shearswork groovy for trimming roots .
footstep 2 : take the industrial plant from the grass – Gently tease it out of the pot , being measured not to rive on the leaves or stems . Be patient , and do n’t ram it .
You may call for to tap on the side or bottom of the planter to loosen thing up .
If the plant is baffle , use a butter tongue orhand trowel , and gently run it between the interior of the pot and the rootball to relax it up .
For extremely pot - bound plant life , you might ask to cut or break the tummy in ordination to remove it .
tone 3 : Trim off any unhealthful antecedent – Once the plant is out of the container , visit the origin , and trim off any that are damage or depend insalubrious . Healthy stem are firm , and usually off-white in color .
If the roots have mature in a rotary formula , gently tease them aside and unbend them out . This will break the circular growing pattern , and help to excite young growth .
Step 4 : Put netting over the drain holes ( optional ) – Placedrainage meshor other heavy - duty cloth over the hole in the bottom of thenew planter .
This will insure that the dirt stay in , but the water can still well run out out .
gradation 5 : Place the plant into the young slew – set the plant life so that the top of the rootball is at the same level as it was in the one-time stack .
You may need to contribute somepotting soilinto the bottom first in club to make this step easier .
If there were roots mature over the top of the grunge before , you may place the rootball more or less deeply in Holy Order to completely cover them up .
footprint 6 : Add fresh potting dirt – Ensure that your houseplant is centered , and then occupy in around the rootball with pot grime .
light compact it down as you play to sate the good deal . You do n’t need to pack the soil in super tight , just press it down a piece so the rootball is cozy .
Step 7 : Water the works – When you ’re done repotting an indoor plant , irrigate it to drizzle the new soil .
This also aid the dirt settle quicker . You may need to contribute more potting commixture once everything has square off into the new pot .
Related Post : How To Mount A Staghorn Fern ( Platycerium ) Step By Step
How To Repot A Large Plant Step-By-Step
If you have a houseplant that is already large , and you ca n’t move it into a new pot . Or you merely do n’t want it to grow any bigger , there is a solution .
you could lop the roots , and repot a great houseplant back into the same container . trim back the roots will keep the plant from growing large , but also allow you to replenish the stain and nutrients .
stone’s throw 1 : Trim off any roots growing out of the bottom of the peck – apply sterilebonsai shearsorprecision prunersto prune off any root that are make out out of the drainage holes .
footprint 2 : Remove the small aerofoil solution – Use a sharp kitchen orgarden knifeto cut down off the small airfoil roots around the rootball . If it ’s easier , you could utilise the pruners instead of a tongue .
Step 3 : Remove the works from the pile ( optional ) – If you may , pull the plant completely out of the container .
If it ’s too much study to lift your enceinte houseplant , then you’re able to just pull up stakes it in the deal and skip this step .
Discard any old dirt that ’s left in the dope if it ’s filled with roots . This is also a good time to cover the mess withdrainage net , if there is n’t any in there already .
Then add some freshpotting soilinto the bottom before invest the industrial plant back into the gage . Be sure the rootball is at the same depth that it was before .
tone 4 : Fill the pot with fresh soil – Ensure the flora is revolve around in the pot , then fill in around the rootball with fresh potting land , mildly packing it in as you go .
Do n’t pack the turd too tightly , just enough so that the rootball is snug .
Step 5 : Water your new repotted plant life – Once you ’re done repot it , give your houseplant a ripe drink of H2O to wet the fresh potting soil .
It ’s normal for the potting intermixture to settle after the first few waterings , so be sure to sum more as necessary to fill in any gap or golf hole .
Transplant Shock After Repotting
It ’s important to understand that repotting is very nerve-wracking for houseplant . Some can handle being repot well than others can .
Certain type despise being repotted , and can abide from stark graft shock . While others will handle it just all right without any problems .
Some sag is normal after repotting , and your houseplant should pop back just fine after a sidereal day or two .
But keep an heart on newly potted industrial plant to check that they do n’t go into severe transplant shock , which can kill sensitive or weak plant .
determine out for these telltale sign of transplant shock …
If your plant go into transplant impact , the good thing you may do is leave it alone .
Do n’t try out to remedy the problem by overwatering , fertilizing , or moving it . And definitely do NOT stress to repot it again .
insure the soil , and only water if it ’s dry out . Otherwise , leave it alone and allow it to recoup .
When To Fertilize A Newly Potted Houseplant
You should never fertilise an indoor plant life flop after you repot it . It require clock time to recover , and fertilise it could touch off transplant shock , or make it much worse .
Give your houseplant a couple of week to recover before you start fertilize it again .
Once it has recovered from being repotted , you’re able to start feeding it on a regular basis . take aboutfertilizing houseplant here .
What To Do With Old Potting Soil
When you ’re done repotting your plants , the one-time potting soil can be dump into the compost bin .
If you do n’t have a compost bin , you could just toss it into your garden beds , or throw it in the garbage .
Whatever you do though , never recycle old potting soil to repot other plants . Soil can harbour pest and disease , and reusing it is a formula for disaster .
FAQs About Repotting Plants
Should you water plants after repotting?
Yes … usually . The only time I would not recommend water a plant after repotting it is if the territory was soggy before you jump . Otherwise , chip in it a proficient drink of piddle after repotting will help to ease the stress , and prevent major transplant shock .
What happens if you don’t repot a plant?
plant life that are severely ascendant - stick will not be able to soak up enough water or nutrients . Some can deal this for a very foresightful time , but others will start perish much quicker .
Can you kill a plant by repotting?
YES ! This is actually a very common job with plants that are disgusted or imperfect before they ’re repotted . Transplant shock can quickly pop a plant that is already accentuate . Never repot a dying or sickly plant life .
Can root-bound plants recover?
Yes , absolutely . Most root - bound plant will recuperate very quickly after being pot up into a larger container .
Could you repot plants into the same pot?
Yes . This is vulgar practice session for orotund plants , especially when you do n’t want them to grow any bigger . See the section titled “ How To Repot A Large Plant ” above for detail .
Should you ever repot plants into a smaller pot?
It ’s not very uncouth drill . But , sometimes a plant is growing in a deal that is too large for it , so it ’s better to move it into a smaller one . It ’s also common to put plants into smaller pots after dividing them .
Should I put pebbles in my pot?
No , there is no benefit of put pebble , rock , sway , or any other plantation owner filler material into the bottom of the pot . You just require to ensure that the plantation owner has adequate drain muddle .
Can you cut roots when repotting?
Yes , but be thrifty . Some works will have if you trim the roots too much , or if you cut the tap - root . Others do n’t like to have their base disturb at all . So , before clip the roots , be sure to do a little enquiry to verify your plant is n’t finicky .
Repotting houseplants into grownup peck will stimulate novel growth , allowing them to last out healthy , and develop large . Just be sure you ’re doing it at the good time , and for the right reasons . Now that you get it on the signs for when they take to be repot , you ’ll get it right every time !
If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining goodish indoor plants , then you need myHouseplant Care eBook . It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every works in your home thriving . Download your transcript now !
