How to Repot Your Houseplant: Potting Tips

Many of us flourished in the environment with blossoming plants; nonetheless, transplanting is important on occasion to keep the plant thriving. That could be due to the soil losing nutrients or as the plant has finally expanded beyond the pot size. A transplant is done to give a rebirth to your beloved plant. But, the question arises: How to know when it is time to transfer and what things need to be done to avoid any kind of shock, thereby making the transplant a smooth transition? In this guide, we will discuss the most discussed details of repotting houseplants, as well as give you some top tips and tricks for ensuring a healthy and happy plant. Get your hands dirty with the best care and love for your plants in your house!

Understanding When to Repotting Plants

Several signs confirm that it is time to repot your precious houseplant:

• ● Roots are exposed outside the pot – When roots are growing through the drainage holes or curling around the soil surface, this is a clear sign your little plant has outgrown your pot.
• ● Water percolating to the bottom all too quickly might be a sign of potting soil that has lost its functionality and is no longer capable of retaining water.
• ● Stunted Growth — A plant might show signs of stunted growth, especially when under perfect care, but it might still be having a rough time surviving.
• ● Yellow leaves or poor health — The material of old dirt in a pot can become exhausted of all the required ingredients and probably end up exhibiting anemia of yellow leaves or declining health of the plant.

Look out for these telltale signs and, if spotted, prepare to redress your subject, giving it a pot with room and soil with food in little space.

Houseplants: Signs They Need Repotting

The signs of a plant that is due for another pot is important for the plant’s general well-being and ability to grow well. An obstruction in growth could be due to the root system failing to fit comfortably within the pot and being so visible that it shows out through the drainage holes. Another example of a failing root system is extreme circular growth along the border of the pot. Indications that the soil is crumbly or too dry, from allowing water to drain through quickly, or that the potting mix has compacted, are clues that the medium is worn out and is not providing the necessary anchorage and drainage. Other factors may include non-stop stunting or constant leaf discoloration, blanching, and just slow growth, even under a favorable outside environment. Relocating to a more spacious home or finding better soil should give further enhancement to the plant’s longevity, as well as repotting in itself.

Best Time to Repotting Plants

Repotting plants is best conducted when in active growth, for most of the plants, this is in spring or early summer, in lie with their growth-ensuring that they will have enough food to recuperate and reestablish themselves in their newly acquired pot. It’s always good to avoid repotting a plant when it’s technically out of bloom or out of leaf this would only stress a plant that is quite late in the elaborate process of taking its rootstock, undoubtedly throwing off all growth processes in the plant.

Assessing the Root Ball

To evaluate the root ball, gently take out the plant from the pot and inspect the roots. Good forward roots should be white or light-colored and firm, and should ideally be spread well through the soil. However, there will always be instances of where these are looping and binding around the edges or growing right through the drainage holes. This is the patient: the plant is root-bound and necessitates repotting. On the other hand, it will not be necessary for the plant to be transferred to a bigger pot if the roots seem few and the soil crumbles apart withing easily. Be mindful of spotting the appearance of root rot, characterized by dark, mushy roots with an unpleasant smell, as those indicate poor drainage or overwatering and hence immediate attention is required.

Choosing the Right Pot for Repotting

When selecting the best pot for the repotting process, choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current one—usually a 1-2 inch larger one in diameter. Moreover, the pot size and chosen pot must be appropriately planned (though this simply relies on the plant). Containers need drainage holes as well. Drainage holes are required to eliminate excess water. Some types of planting pots have material features such as plastic, ceramic, or terracotta. Match the pot material to the water management needs of the plant. Terracotta pots are usually porous, which means they are excellent for plants that prefer to use drier soil, while plastic pots are well known for retaining more moisture and may be great for constant watering. Always prioritize the pot’s functionality, as well as your plant’s specific, individual invigorating features.

Choosing the New Container Size

When choosing a new pot for planting, make sure you pick one large enough for the roots to grow comfortably but not too big. A pot measured one to two inches larger in diameter than the plant’s current housing should amply suffice for smaller plants; on the other hand, larger plants may need a pot two to four inches larger. An oversized pot, in any case, tends to retain excess moisture, creating a bigger ground for root decay. Administer the growth condition of the plant, growth rate, and root system to know what size will be adequate, while making sure there is proper support and ability for drainage to facilitate healthy growth.

Pick One: Plastic Pot versus Terra Cotta Pot

Terra cotta, meanwhile, is a porous material that allows better airflow to assist evaporation and prevent overwatering but demands more waterings than plastic terracotta. Terra cotta pots are heavier and provide the required steadiness for big plants; moreover, their natural design will enhance the interior or exterior landscapes. However, the main choice depends totally on the needs of the plant, your watering habits, and personal tastes.

Importance of Drainage Holes

Preparing for Repotting

Gathering Necessary Supplies

Re-potting of a plant requires certain essentials for its smooth transition. With respect to this, a new pot should be bought (of an appropriate size). The new pot has to be a bit larger as compared to the older pot, and it should speak a drainage hole in the bottom to prevent any problem of waterlogging. Choosing the highest-quality potting soil based on the kind of plant you have is the most important consideration, as it is the source of essential nutrients. Get ready the gardening gloves, trowel, and pruning shears alongside the setup. This will ensure optimal protection to the plant during the operation. A watering can would go a long way towards catering to the plant’s immediate watering requirements, but as a precautionary measure to keep working surfaces tidy, a tarpaulin or newspaper should be put in place. Preparing your equipment in advance will help to make repotting easy and stress-free for you and for the plants.

Preparing the New Pot

Make sure the new pot is slightly larger than the old pot so that the plant can spread its roots but without drowning them in too much space. Also, the pot must have proper drainage. If the pot do not have openings, try putting a layer of gravel at the bottom. First, clean the pot thoroughly before planting in order to wipe out any harmful bacteria or substance. Lastly, test the pot to protect from falling when you put the plant in it and keep it safe and sound with its new abode.

Selecting the Right Soil Mix

To achieve good plant health and growth, your choice of soil mix is the most crucial. Select a mix that enables the plant to breathe, drains well, and holds adequate moisture for the plant to be healthy. Consider the different needs of your plant—some may thrive in a mix for cacti and succulents, while some will prefer a nutrient-rich potting soil. Use organic matter like compost or peat moss to improve the texture and nutrient content of the mix. Avoid heavy or compacted types of soils if you would like to give your plants the space they need to develop good roots and transpire water, otherwise you will allow the plants to suffer from root rot down the road. Plan the mix of the soil according to the needs of your plant and the specific environmental factors to make the best growth.

Steps to Repot Your Houseplant

Dislodging the Plant from the Pot

To get the plant out of the pot it is currently in, start by carefully freeing up the soil from the plant’s outer boundaries. You can use your hands, a small scoop, or a butter knife to pry the soil away from the pot interior, being very careful not to hurt the plant unnecessarily. Once tension-free, tilt the pot and hugly grasp the plant at the bottom while pulling until finally it gently slides out. Knock around the sides and bottom of the pot if the plant seems stuck or carefully squeeze on the flexible pot until it dislodges. Make sure not to yank on the stem; it might come off in your hands. For rootbound plants, poke around the root ball with your fingers and loosen them before repotting.

Root Ball Maintenance

While treating the root ball, first check to see if it seems healthy; this would usually require a firm, white root ball. If the roots have been tightly packed or were beginning to circle the perimeter of the root ball, you should gently tease them apart by using your fingers in order to encourage new growth. Severely bound roots may require some slight trimming in small sections, so use clean, sharp scissors. Exercise caution not to cut away too many of the roots as this would stress the plant. If there are any roots that are either dark, mushy, or give off a bad smell, they are rotting, and they should be trimmed off to prevent further harm. With this step completed, the plant will now be ready to be placed carefully in its new pot or soil mixture.

Placing the Plant into New Pot

Handle the plant with care while introducing it to the new container and ensure that the roots are evenly spread properly without getting squeezed in by the wall of the container. Properly adjust the plant in the container by placing it at the same depth it was at in the previous pot. Wherever the top of the root ball lands is where the rim of the new container will be; you do not wish it too far below the rim. As you introduce the new potting soil around the roots, pat down with your fingers slightly to remove air pockets. Be careful not to pack the soil too tightly; this can constrict root growth. Water thoroughly once it is properly housed to settle the soil and hydrate the plant. Make sure the pot has adequate drainage to rid itself of water or else water will collect at the bottom and rot the roots.

Aftercare Following Repotting

It is important to consistently care for the plant during this time to allow the plant to get acclimate in the new environment.

Watering Your Plant after Repotting

After repotting, plants will benefit from watering to maintain even soil moisture, thus preventing waterlogging and reducing stress. Begin by watering gently post-repotting to help settle the soil around roots without soaking, thus allowing the plant to adapt naturally. Observe the soil condition for the next few days, letting the top inch dry out; then two actions need to be taken: avoid instant watering post-repotting since overwatering might yield root rot and, with the plant’s good signals revealing feasible growth in its new home, gradually return to an equal water supply as of the plant’s routine.

Mooning for Stress

An overabundance of soil often results in poor drainage of water, consequently causing pooling around the mother plant’s roots, leading to root rot. It is, therefore, necessary to have enough drainage holes in the pot or planting area and to use well-aerated, unfolded, and well-aerated quality potting soil. Of these two factors, the latter is not very practical; however, in cases where the productive and compacted sowing medium is too much, the bits of the mixture should be quietly loosened to improve airflow and water movement. It is not a good idea to insert excessive soil amounts into pots because that will hinder root development. If one runs into soil leftovers during repotting, rather than throwing it away, one can reuse it for another plant, add it to a compost pile, or reuse it for garden borders. Proper soil management is essential to a plant’s health.

Aftercare Following Repotting

Aftercare Following Repotting