OnewsO: Week 5: Repotting Your Houseplants

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Week 5: Repotting Your Houseplants

Welcome to Week 5!

Allison Bean, Editorial Director

After a while, most houseplants will need to be repotted. Think of them like children, who need to size up on their shoes and clothes as they grow. This is actually a great sign: it means the plant is healthy and happy and growing. But if you don't repot your plant, it may start to suffer. Luckily, it's not hard to tell when it's time to repot your plant. If the roots are protruding from the bottom of the pot, the plant has stopped growing or becomes limp, or the plant is root-bound, it's time to move it into a larger pot.

Supplies You'll Need

	A new pot
	Fresh soil
	Pruning shears (optional)

How to Repot Your Houseplants

Prepare the Plant and Root Ball

	It's easier to remove a plant from a pot when the soil is damp. First, lightly water the plant, let it dry for an hour or so, and then gently remove the plant from the pot. You can do this by turning the pot over and gently pulling the pot up and away from the root ball. Never yank the plant out of its pot by the stem.

	It is okay to gently loosen the root ball with a finger or a fork, but be careful not to cause any root damage.

	Cut away dead or rotten roots. If you plan on repotting the plant into the same size pot, you may want to prune your plant's roots.

Prepare the New Pot

	In general, you should only repot a plant one size up. You can move from a four-inch to a six-inch pot, but not a four-inch to an eight-inch pot. Moving up in size too quickly can slow growth.

	Plastic or ceramic pots are fine, depending on your preference.

	Add fresh potting soil directly to the pot. You do not need to add pebbles or other drainage media to the bottom of the pot. This reduces the growing area for the roots and reduces aeration.

Plant and Water

	Gently set the new plant in its new pot and backfill with soil or compost.

	One of the main causes of plant collapse is planting too deep. Make sure the newly potted plant is not planted deeper than it was in the original pot.

	As you are filling in, press the soil down firmly and tap the pot gently to settle all the dirt.

	Water thoroughly, and if necessary, add a little more soil to top it off. You should water until liquid seeps from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.