Plant Tip Tuesday: How To Repot Your Favorite Houseplants

For this weeks Plant Tip Tuesday we’ll be going over how and when to repot your plants. We’ve all either repotted a plant too early or waited until the plant was on its last leg before transferring it to a new pot. Don’t worry. We’re here to help and guide you through this process. Let’s get into it:)

When we hear the phrase “ repotting your plant,” the first thing that comes to mind is getting a bigger pot that the plant will be more comfortable and grow in, but that’s not always the case. If your plant is healthy and seems to enjoy the pot you have it in, try changing the potting mix to increase nutrient retention and optimize growth. This method helps your plant avoid the shock of being put in a new pot, but if you notice the plant outgrowing its pot or becoming root-bound you should most definitely go up a size or two in favor of a new pot.

Looking for a bigger pot can seem tricky sometimes. How big of a pot should I get? Clay or ceramic? Does it need to have a drainage hole? The list goes on! Generally, the rule of thumb is to always go up 2”. Got a plant in a 4” container? When the time comes give it a 6” container and watch it grow:) making sure you have your plant in the right size container is not only key to making sure you give it the best chance at growing, but also ensures you aren’t giving it too much care. If a plant is in a large pot we tend to think that it’ll need more water than it actually needs and if its in a small pot the plant needs to be packed in with soil and waterings become scarce. Proportion plays a key role in keeping your plant in optimal conditions. Before we move on to the how-to portion of repotting plants, I also want to make a note that not all plants need a new pot as soon as you get it or even months after its been in your home, office, or whatever space you have it in. Snake plants prefer being root-bound and only require a good repotting when it becomes top heavy and can no longer stand up straight. More often than not your plant will always have a way of letting you know when it needs a change of scenery. Slow growers such as cacti can live for years in the nursery pot in came in or the classic terracotta pot you put it in when it first came home with you. Looking through Google (or reading your favorite plant blog) for specifics on the type of plant you want to repot is always a good idea. The more you know the better.

Feeling good and ready to repot your plant babies? Let’s lay out a step by step guide to turn you into a repotting pro.

1. The first step is easy and if you’re reading this blog post you can skip to #2. ASK FOR HELP!! There are no dumb questions and you might know more than you think. Besides the countless articles and how-to videos there are numerous plant shops, nurseries, and greenhouses full of plant people that would be more than happy to answer any question and assist you on this mini adventure.

2. Pick your plant and pot. If your pot has a drainage hole you’ve saved yourself from the trouble of gathering rocks to put in the bottom of it. Do you have a pot with no drainage holes in sight? Don’t worry! Grab some pebbles or rocks and line the bottom of the pot with them. Boulders will not work.

3. Things are going to get messy. Don’t be scared of a little dirt getting all over the place. This is why the good lord gave us brooms. Find a workspace with enough room to hold your plant, pot, and bag of soil, making sure to also leave enough space for you to move freely and streamline this process.

4. This one shoulda been included in step 2 but we’ll make it its own step so it feels special. The soil you choose is more important than you think and plays a great role in your plants overall health. Not all the soil is the same and you should never just pull a bag from the shelf and expect your plant to make do. Knowing the environment your plant lives in in nature will help you determine what kind of soil to buy. Can’t find a specific one? Try mixing different materials to make the soil that best fits your plant. Once you have everything you need you’re ready to transfer your plant to its new home.

5. Take your plant and gently squeeze the nursery pot (if it’s in one) loosening the soil. Your plant should peel right out. If your plant isn’t in a nursery pot, take your hands and gently loosen the soil around it. Pulling it out of the pot carefully is the goal here.

6. Once your plant is outside of the pot knock off all off the soil. You want to expose the roots and free your plant of any old soil. Once this part is done you can let your plant baby sit while you prep the pot.

7. No drainage hole? Grab those rocks you found and layer them in the bottom of the pot. I generally try to stay in the half inch to inch range when it comes to this step. Remember less is more.

8.Drainage hole in the middle of your pot? Grab your soil and meet us down at sep 9.

9. Add your soil. Scoop some out and drop it into your pot. The amount will differ between sizes, but avoid filling the pot. Halfway is just fine.

10. Grab your plant and put it right into the new soil. Be sure to cover the roots and add more soil around it, but steering clear of packing it in too tight. Once the plant is in you can tap the pot a couple of times to settle the soil and add water afterwards.

11. Let your plant take to its new pot and watch it grow:)