Repotting Houseplants by Vicky Spelman

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Houseplants need repotting every few years and Spring is a good time to do it.  The actively growing roots will have enough time to get established in the new potting soil.

There are several signs that indicate a houseplant needs to be repotted:

1.     Check your water frequency – does it dry out quickly, even in periods of cooler temperatures?

2.    Are the roots beginning to escape through the drainage holes?

3.    Another sign is when the plant fails to thrive, despite otherwise favorable conditions - for example correct lighting and fertilizing.  

If you answered yes to the above questions, it might be time to repot your houseplant.  Remove the plant and examine the roots.  Do the roots look crowded and compacted?  Are they circling around the root ball?   Prior to removing the plant, watering and allowing it to sit for an hour or so will make for easier removal. 

When your houseplant is pot-bound, you have to decide if you want the plant to grow larger, or if you want to maintain it as a smaller plant.  If you don’t want it to get larger, it will be necessary to remove the outer section of roots (up to around 25%) and cut back some of the plant’s top growth.  Then repot it with fresh potting soil, leaving an inch of space between the soil level and the lip of the container.  Make sure if you are reusing a pot that it is clean before you start. 

If you decide you want a larger plant, then get ready to repot it. Have fun choosing a new container.  There are lots of options:  plastic or clay (clay can be either glazed or unglazed).  Both options have advantages – it’s your preference.  A plastic container is lighter weight and easier to move than a clay pot.  Clay pots are less likely to tip over if a plant becomes top heavy.  New clay pots should be soaked overnight to prevent the container from soaking up any moisture from the potting mix when the plant is first planted. Cover the drainage hole with a piece from a broken clay pot, which will allow excess water to drain, but not the potting mix.    

Choose a potting soil that is especially created for potted plants.

When the plant has been removed from the container, gently pull and detangle the roots so they are not circling the root ball or are densely matted.  Place some of your potting mix in the bottom of the container, then add your plant so that the root ball in slightly below the container lip.  Gradually add more potting soil, gently firming the top layer – making sure not to compact it too tightly so water and air movement are not restricted.   

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Enjoy your newly potted houseplant!

Sources:  PennStateExtension, Treehugger

Additional Information:  houseplants, repotting