When to Repot Houseplants

Learn When and How to Safely Repot your Houseplant

There are no strict guidelines on how often to repot your plants, but there are clear signs that indicate it’s time for a new pot and fresh substrate.

Repotting is essential to ensure your houseplants continue to thrive and grow. But how do you know when it’s time?

In this blog, we’ll explore the key indicators for when to repot, the types of plants that require more frequent attention, and tips for ensuring a smooth transition for your plant.

Contents:

1. Signs That It's Time to Repot Your Houseplant

2. When Old Soil Becomes a Problem

3. Fast-Growing Plants That Require Frequent Repotting

4. Should You Repot Every Plant Annually?

5. How to Safely Repot Your Houseplant

Signs That It's Time to Repot Your Houseplant

Certain signs will tell you it’s time to upgrade your plant’s living space.

Check the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. If you notice roots pushing out, it’s an indication that the plant is searching for additional nutrients and water beyond what’s available in the current pot.

This root growth often signifies that the plant needs more room to expand.

Some plants, like epiphytic orchids and aroids, produce aerial roots that crawl out of the soil naturally (Matthews, 2020).

This behaviour doesn’t always mean the plant needs repotting, but if terrestrial plants like pothos or peace lilies show roots on the surface of the soil, it’s a strong indication they’re outgrowing their current pot.

When Old Soil Becomes a Problem

In some cases, repotting is necessary even if the pot size is still appropriate. Soil naturally degrades over time, becoming compacted and less effective at supporting plant health (Dragović & Vulević, 2020).

Over time, materials like sphagnum moss and bark decompose, which can lead to poor drainage, water retention, and even disease.

Additionally, if the plant has been overwatered and root rot is present, repotting into fresh, clean substrate is essential to save the plant.

Fast-Growing Plants That Require Frequent Repotting

Some houseplants have faster root growth and need repotting more regularly. These include:

• Spider Plants: Known for their rapid growth, spider plants often outgrow their pots within a year.
• Pothos: This vine is a fast grower, both in foliage and roots, meaning it will need more frequent repotting.
• Philodendrons: Another fast-growing houseplant that will often require larger pots as it expands.

Plants tend to have faster root growth in their active growing season, typically in spring and summer, due to increased sunlight and energy. Be prepared to monitor your fast-growers during these months to ensure they don’t become root-bound.

Should You Repot Every Plant Annually?

Not all houseplants need to be repotted yearly. Slow-growing plants such as cacti and aloes can often stay in the same pot for several years without issue.

Conversely, fast-growing plants, like pothos or spider plants, may benefit from yearly repotting to ensure they have sufficient space and nutrients.

How to Safely Repot Your Houseplant

1. Choose a pot that is about 2-3 inches larger in diameter than the current one.
2. Carefully remove the plant from its old pot, checking the roots for any signs of disease or rot.
3. Trim away any black or mushy roots.
4. Lightly tease roots if they are tightly bound.
5. Fill the new pot with an inch of soil, or until the plants base is level with the rim of the pot.
6. Fill in any space between the plant and new pot with soil.
7. Thoroughly water.
8. Fertilise using a balanced fertiliser.

Use fresh, well-draining potting mix and water the plant thoroughly after repotting to help the roots adjust to their new environment.

References:

• Dragović, N., & Vulević, T. (2020). Soil Degradation Processes, Causes, and Assessment Approaches. Encyclopedia of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, 1–12. 

• Matthews, A. (2020). Aerial Roots on Orchids: 7 Important Questions. Orchideria.