Repotting

Repotting is the process of moving a plant to a new container and renewing its growing medium. It supports healthy root growth, improves drainage, replenishes nutrients, and prevents soil compaction. Repotting is commonly performed when a plant has outgrown its pot or the soil has degraded.

Indications that repotting is needed include roots visible at the drainage hole, roots circling the inside of the pot, slow or poor drainage, persistently soggy or hard-to-wet soil, yellowing foliage, or a top-heavy plant that tilts easily. In most cases choose a pot 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter.

Prepare a clean pot with drainage, and select fresh potting mix suited to the plant. General indoor mixes work for many houseplants; specialized mixes are available for orchids, succulents, cacti, or carnivorous plants. Add perlite or coarse material to improve drainage if needed. Terracotta pots dry out faster than plastic.

Before removing the plant, water lightly to ease removal. Remove the plant from its pot, gently loosen and trim any damaged roots, and shake off old soil. Inspect roots and prune dead tissue. Place a layer of fresh mix in the new pot, position the plant at the same depth, then fill and firm the soil. Water thoroughly and allow excess to drain.

Frequency varies by species and growing conditions. Fast-growing tropicals often need repotting yearly or every one to two years; succulents and cacti less often, every two to three years. Avoid repotting during dormancy, and refrain from fertilizing for a few weeks after repotting to prevent fertilizer burn.