Repotting a houseplant successfully requires planning, the right tools, and careful handling. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth transition for your beloved plant!
Ideally the best time to repot most plants is during their active growing season (spring or early summer). If you can, avoid repotting when the plant is flowering or dormant unless absolutely necessary. But if you do need to do it, do it properly.
First select a pot 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one (we have lots to choose from!) Ensuring that it has drainage holes.
Use a soil mix appropriate for your plant (e.g. cactus mix for succulents, peat-based soil for tropical plants) and grab your gloves, small trowel, and scissors or pruners. Pebbles or mesh for drainage can also be helpful.
Clean your new pot with soap and water, especially if it’s been used before and place a layer of pebbles or mesh over the drainage holes to prevent soil from washing out. Water your plant lightly a day before repotting to make the soil easier to work with.
When you’re ready to go, first gently loosen the soil around the edges of the pot with a trowel or your hands and check for root rot, pests, or damage. Healthy roots are firm and white or light-coloured. Then prune away any dead, damaged, or overly long roots using clean scissors.
Next, add a layer of fresh potting mix to the bottom of the new pot and place the plant in the centre, ensuring it sits at the same depth as in its previous pot. Fill in around the roots with fresh soil, gently pressing down to remove air pockets and water the plant thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. This helps settle the soil.
Avoid overwatering! Let the soil dry slightly before watering again and place your plant in a similar environment (light, temperature) as before to minimise stress.
Avoid fertilising for a few weeks to allow the plant to adjust and monitor for signs of stress (wilting, yellowing), adjusting care as needed.
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