How to transplant a houseplant in 3 steps without harming it
How to Recognize When It's Time to Repot a Plant
Typically, there are two primary reasons to repot a plant: the plant needs fresh, nutrient-rich soil and the plant has outgrown its current pot.
Sometimes, the plant itself signals it's time for a change. For instance, if it simultaneously sheds old leaves and grows new ones, it may be because its new roots lack enough space and are compressed by the old ones.
You should also consider repotting if the roots have formed a dense, round "web", protruding out of the drainage holes or becoming visible due to insufficient soil.
A change in soil color is another warning sign. If small white pebbles, known as perlite, turn yellow or brown, it's time to refresh the soil.
Young and fast-growing plants typically require repotting every six months, while older plants can be repotted every few years. Large indoor plants may not need repotting at all; sometimes, adding a fresh top layer of soil is sufficient.
It's generally advised to repot houseplants at the end of winter or the start of spring.
How to Repot a Plant
- Choose the Right Pot The new pot doesn't necessarily have to be much larger than the old one. If the plant hasn't grown significantly, you can keep the same pot and just renew the soil and add nutrients.
If the plant has considerably grown and you need to replace the pot, select one only slightly larger than the old one. The gap between the plant and the pot's edge shouldn't exceed 2-5 cm.
A pot that's too large increases the risk of overwatering and may lead to root rot as the plant "floats" in the soil.
- Inspect and Treat the Roots Carefully After removing the plant from the old pot, untangle the roots, but do so gently. Clean the root system from the old soil to prepare it for the new soil.
If the roots are densely entangled, you can lightly trim the ends to loosen them up. This will facilitate better growth in the new environment.
- Transplant the Plant Firstly, fill the pot a third of the way with fresh, suitable soil, leaving room for new root growth. Add more soil later if needed.
Next, place the roots in the center of the pot, ensuring they'll be adequately covered with soil. Once you've found the right position, gently pour soil around and over the roots, allowing them room to grow and expand.
Smooth out the soil before adding a new layer. Test the soil density with your finger - if it falls through, the soil isn't dense enough and can be compacted further. Leave up to three centimeters of free space at the top of the pot to prevent water overflow.
Immediately after repotting, lightly moisten the soil. For the following week, avoid watering the plant to allow it to adjust to the new pot.
