Houseplant Repotting - When, Why, & How

Having houseplants is a great way to create your own tropical oasis at home. They can bring relaxation, air filtration, and aesthetic upgrades to spaces. However, just like kids outgrow their clothes, plants outgrow their pots. While it is not a frequent job, it is essential to know when, why, and how to repot your plants so that they will grow and thrive in your home, helping you to succeed as a plant parent.

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REPOTTING  Indicators

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The first step to know if repotting is in your plant's future is to examine the plant's roots. Simply removing your plant from the pot is an easy way to check your roots. If your plant's roots and soil come out in a block formed precisely to the pot shape, this is a sign that your plant may need repotting. The second thing you should look for when examining your plant's roots is simply looking at the quantity of them compared to the amount of soil. If your plant has more roots in the pot than soil, it may need to be repotted. In addition, a plant usually needs repotting when you see roots growing out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot or the plant appears root-bound with visible roots circling the soil surface. Another key indicator that you may need to repot a plant is if you notice that the plant has stopped growing significantly or the pot is noticeably too small for the plant's size. Finally, another tell-tale sign that you may need to repot your plant is if the soil dries out very quickly due to the abundance of roots taking up space in the container. ​

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CHOOSING  THE  RIGHT-SIZED  CONTAINER

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Moving your plant into the right-sized pot is essential for proper root growth and allowing the soil to dry out properly, which is vital to your plant's overall health. Only move your plant into a pot one size up from the previous container. For a tabletop plant, an example would be going from a 6-inch pot to an 8-inch pot, or roughly one inch in diameter bigger on all sides of the plant's roots. You can go up to 4 inches larger in diameter for larger floor plants. Like a child moving up a size in shoes, the same rule applies to plants; you only move up in pot size to the next size needed. 
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​You may also need to select a more suitable container size, but not how you think if your plant has issues like dropping leaves, pest problems, or the soil stays saturated for long periods. These are often signs of an unhealthy and sad plant that needs to go down a pot size. When a plant's pot is too big, it can cause root rot, fungus gnats, leaves to drop, and more. If this is the case, your plant's roots will likely be brown, collapsed, and have a foul smell. In this instance, use a clean pair of shears to remove all brown and rotted roots. After being cleaned, place your plant in a smaller pot appropriately sized for the root mass, using the aforementioned size guideline. This could mean going down one pot size or more, depending on the extent of the problem. While going down a pot size may seem counter-productive, your plant will thank you in these instances.

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Proper  Potting  Mix

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​The soil used when repotting your indoor plant is also essential to its health. You will want to choose light, well-draining soil that does not contain moisture crystals. While moisture crystals are an excellent option for outdoor plants in the hot sun, houseplants do not want to remain wet for long periods. Here at Family Tree Nursery, we recommend our FTN Premium Potting Mix, which has a perfect fluffy consistency for houseplants, ensuring proper drainage and healthy roots. When repotting, it is important to check the soil that your plant is currently in. If your plant's current soil is old and compacted, depleted of nutrients, or hydrophobic, it is a good idea to gently remove the old soil from the roots before placing it in the new pot with fresh soil. Your plant will appreciate the refresh. 

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How  often  to  repot 

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You should plan on repotting most houseplants every 12 to 18 months, but the exact timing depends on their differing needs, growth rates, and watering preferences. Repotting should only be done during the active growing season to ensure success, ideally from April to September in Kansas and Missouri. Longer days and warmer weather are best for plant recovery and faster root growth in the new pot. A dormant plant is at a higher risk of shock, leading to a stress response that often involves wilting, yellow leaves, slowed growth, or even death.

​Knowing the exact needs of the houseplant you are considering repotting is the key to success because some houseplants prefer to be root-bound and grow more when the roots are tight in their pot. Examples of these kinds of plants are ZZs and Sansevierias, which typically only need repotting when the plant physically breaks its pot. Only then should the plant go up a pot size. While it may sound surprising, these plants rely on their roots to keep the plants compact, upright, and stable. 

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Steps  to  repotting  your  plant 

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01. Removing the Plant From Its Current Container
To remove a plant from its current container, slightly tilt the plant sideways, hold it carefully by the stems or leaves, squeeze the sides of the pot to aid in loosening the soil, and pull the bottom of the pot to remove the root ball.

02. Loosen the Roots
Once your plant is out of the container, gently use your hands to loosen the roots, avoiding forceful pulling or tearing. Separate and untangle the plant's roots, removing any excessively long, thin root hairs while preserving the thicker primary roots near the base of the plant. If the plant is "root bound," where the roots have grown in tight circles around the root ball, gently tease apart these circling roots and trim them as needed. If the root ball is too tight to unravel, carefully score the roots with a clean blade to loosen. Many plants will tolerate scoring to help release and change the root growth direction.

03. Remove Old Potting Mix
Removing roughly a third or more of the old potting mix around the root ball is recommended when repotting a plant. The plant has likely depleted many of the nutrients in the existing soil, so replace it with fresh, nutrient-rich Family Tree Nursery Potting Mix for optimal growth. 

04. Check for Drainage
Here at Family Tree Nursery, we recommend that every potted plant has a drainage hole, so we provide hole-drilling services for pots. Drainage is essential for proper watering habits, allowing you to thoroughly saturate the roots without drowning the plant. If your pot has no drainage hole and cannot be drilled, we recommend potting your plant in a plastic nursery pot, which you can then slide into the decorative pot and remove for watering. ​

05. Add Plant and New Potting Mix
Add a small layer of our FTN Potting Mix to the bottom of the pot, and pack it down to eliminate any air pockets. Next, hold the plant in the center of the new pot and gently backfill around it on the sides. Once the sides are filled, gently tap the pot to settle the dirt between the roots. Finally, top off the pot as needed with soil, leaving half an inch of space from the soil level to the lip of the pot to avoid overflow when watering.​

06. Add Top Dressing (Optional)
Include your own personal flare to your potted plant by adding decorative top dressings such as moss, rocks, or gravel. Adding heavy gravel or rocks not only adds a decorative element but can contribute to the stability of your plant, making it heavier and more challenging to knock over. It can also provide structure to the plant and help keep it upright if needed. 

07. Water In Your Plant
After repotting, give your plant a good watering to help the soil settle around the roots. When watering plants, it is essential to saturate the roots thoroughly; this means watering with enough water to fill the pot 2-3 times. The drainage hole will allow the excess water to drain while the plant absorbs the water it needs. 

08. Enjoy Your Newly Repotted Plant!

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LET  US  HElp! 

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​Hopefully, this article will give you confidence in repotting your plant yourself. However, if you need assistance, you can meet us at our Potting Bench at any of our three stores, where our knowledgeable staff can provide repotting services. Family Tree Nursery is committed to sharing information and resources to create successful plant parents.