So, um… how many houseplants have you bought since we’ve all been quarantined?? I’m betting a lot since plants literally make us happy and it so easy to buy them online. Personally, I’ve been working on propagating our existing collection of houseplants, but with a few key additions. With this has also come the need to repot houseplants because it’s been a while since I did that, too! I totally waited too long in some instances (sorry, snake plant!). Oops… If you’re like me and need to do this essential plant owner chore, here are some tips to help you!
6 Tips to Help You Repot Houseplants Like a Pro
How to know you need to repot your indoor plants
Before we get started, let’s talk about when an indoor plant needs to be repotted. Checking your plants roots are a quick and easy way to tell. Sometimes the roots start growing out of the drainage hole… or maybe they are growing up and outside of the pot. Another way to tell is if the roots have grown in so much that the plant is literally being lifted out of it’s garden pot. Or your plant has all but stopped growing. That’s usually a sign of it’s ‘home’ being too small and stunting it’s growth.
Choose the right time of year
First of all, make sure it’s the right time of year. Spring and summer are when the plant is in what’s called an “active growth period,” so now is the perfect time! Good thing cuz I’m so bored… Basically, repotting in the spring will give your plants more room to grow and spread the roots.
Repot plants about once a year
While researching for this post, I learned that you should repot your plants every 12 to 18 months… another oops! I have sometimes waited years and now it alllll makes sense. Succulents and cacti are an exception to this rule since they grow so slowly.
Pick the right pot
I know it can be tempting to repot into a much larger planter, but apparently bigger is not better! Instead, select a pot that is one size up from the current one. This is important because if there is too much soil, that opens up the possibility of too much moisture surrounding the roots. This is also the perfect time to select a planter that has a drainage hole if you need one.
Add new potting soil
While you’re repotting, it’s a great time to augment the soil. Gently remove some of the existing dirt and repot using the correct soil mix. The rule of thumb is to remove about 1/3 of the old potting soil mix. Add some of the new soil at the bottom of the new pot, place the plant in it, and then fill in with new soil, packing it down gently at the top. Don’t pack it down too much though because the roots will need the space to spread out!
Don’t panic after you repot the plant
Honestly, this is my biggest tip: don’t freak out when the plant looks wilted after you repot it. It’s totally normal for your houseplant to be in a bit of shock. Also, hold off on watering it right away. Instead, place the plant in a cooler spot with less direct sun. After about a week, you can water.
What do you think of these tips for repotting plants? I hope they help! For the step-by-step tips that I followed to repot my houseplants, this post from The Sill was really helpful.
Looking for more posts about plants? Check out these:
- 5 Houseplants to Put in Your Bathroom
- How to Buy Plants Online + My Fave Sources to Shop
- 5 Air Purifying Plants Your Home Needs
- 6 Colorful House Plants I Love
- The Best Houseplants for a Small Space
- 7 Hard-To-Kill House Plants
- My 5 Favorite Low Light House Plants
- How to Decorate with Large Indoor Plants in a Small Space
