January 24, 2023, 11:37 am | Read time: 6 minutes

Repotting plants isn’t that complicated. After a few simple steps, the task is done, and the plant grows even better in fresh soil. When the pot becomes too cramped, it’s time to repot. You’ll find the essential rules, expert tips, and a simple guide for repotting houseplants in this article.

Why Do Plants Need Repotting?

If a plant stays too long in the same pot with the same soil, its growth slows, and it loses its healthy appearance. The reason lies in the growing roots that have depleted the soil, as Thomas Borówka, head of the greenhouses at the Botanical Garden Berlin, explains to myHOMEBOOK: “A potted plant only has the root space of the pot available and absorbs nutrients and water through well-supplied roots. When plants have rooted through the pot and the roots can’t develop optimally, the plant needs repotting due to the now too-small pots.”

The rule of thumb is: Small plants should be repotted once a year, larger plants every two years.

Also interesting: These 11 Houseplants Are Especially Easy to Care For

9 Signs You Need to Repot Plants

1. The plant pushes soil out of the pot.
2. The pot size doesn’t match the plant size.
3. Excessive waterlogging occurs.
4. Roots appear on the soil surface or grow out of the drainage hole.
5. Young root tips appear at the edges.
6. Roots form a spiral at the bottom of the pot.
7. The plant has cracked the pot.
8. Soil in the pot is so dense it can’t retain water and dries out.
9. The plant keeps tipping over.

Note: These signs don’t always mean immediate repotting is necessary. For some plants, it’s enough to remove the top layer of soil in the pot and replace it with new soil. Some plants benefit from cramped root systems, as they grow better and bloom faster (such as bulb and tuber plants).

How Often Should You Repot Plants?

It’s hard to say generally, as it depends on the plant type, its conditions, age, and growth strength. Generally, for older plants, a multi-year cycle is sufficient.

What You Need for Repotting Plants

• A new pot, one to two sizes larger, so the roots have space again
• Suitable soil, depending on the plant type
• A trowel to transfer soil into the pot
• Clay shards or pebbles to create a drainage layer in the pot. This prevents waterlogging
• Some water for watering once the plant is in the new pot

Fertilizer isn’t necessary initially, as fresh soil is very nutrient-rich. After four to six weeks, you can start fertilizing the plant again. You’ll find detailed repotting instructions in this article.

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The Right Time to Repot

Every plant has a growth phase and a rest period, influenced by temperature and daylight duration. For most plants, repotting at the start of the growth period is advisable.

The growth period is marked by the breaking of buds and the formation of new leaves and shoots. During this time, the plant needs plenty of water, regular fertilization, and repotting if necessary.

It’s different during the rest period: Repotting during this time can lead to waterlogging and root rot, as roots can’t grow quickly into fresh soil. It’s better to avoid repotting and fertilizing, water less, and lower the temperature (if needed).

Repotting Houseplants–Preparation

A New Pot

If you need to repot a houseplant, you’ll first need a new pot. For houseplants, it should be about two to three centimeters larger in diameter than the old one and only slightly larger than the plant’s root ball. For large, older plants in big containers, the diameter should be about six to eight centimeters larger. It’s important that the pot has a drainage hole–this is the only way to prevent waterlogging.

Check for Pests

Borówka also noted that plants should be checked for pests like aphids and spider mites before repotting.

The Right Soil

An important part of the guide to proper repotting is choosing the right soil. You should research based on the plant type. Some require special soil, such as cacti or orchids. “It’s crucial to use high-quality soil. And please, without peat, as the destruction of peatlands has disastrous effects on the climate and biodiversity loss. With very few exceptions, no houseplant needs peat!”

Also interesting: Should You Repot Plants During Their Blooming Period?

More on the topic

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Guide to Repotting Houseplants

1. Cover the bottom of the new pot with gravel, clay shards, hydrogranulate, or similar (this prevents the drainage hole from clogging, soil from seeping through, improves ventilation, and avoids waterlogging).
2. The soil should be lightly loosened before filling.
3. Carefully pull the plant out of the pot by the thick stems (if not possible, tap lightly).
4. If the soil around the root ball is very dry, briefly place the plant in a water bath.
5. Place fresh soil in the new pot and embed the plant so the top of the root ball is just below the pot’s rim.
6. Fill the gaps with soil and gently press the plant down.
7. Finally, water the plant generously (the water should not be too cold or too high in lime).

When to Repot Offshoots

Offshoots can be separated from the mother plant and repotted once they’ve developed some well-formed leaves. The repotting guide is straightforward: Use a sharp, disinfected knife for cutting. The offshoot must be cut close to the mother plant. “Cut shoots can initially be placed in a glass of water or directly planted in soil, like with geraniums. The flowers, buds, and some leaves must be removed, as the plant should focus its energy on root formation,” explains Borówka. The offshoot should be placed in a bright location, and the substrate kept moist. Within about two weeks, new roots will form relatively quickly.

It’s different with succulents like cacti. “Here, let the offshoot dry in the air for up to several weeks until the cut from the mother plant is completely dry. Only then plant in sand, and roots will form above the cut. If planted too early, the offshoot will rot,” emphasizes Borówka.