How to Repot a Plant Without Causing a Meltdown (Yours or the Plant)

Repotting is one of those tasks that sounds simple until you are doing it.

Suddenly you have dirt everywhere, the plant is flopping over, and you are questioning whether the old pot was really that bad.

Here is how to repot without drama.

When to Repot (The Real Signs)

Do not repot just because you feel like it. Repot when the plant actually needs it.

Signs it is time:

  • Roots are growing out of the drainage holes
  • Water runs straight through without soaking in
  • The plant dries out way faster than it used to
  • Growth has slowed or stopped
  • The plant is top-heavy and tipping over

When not to repot:

  • The plant just came home from the store (let it adjust first)
  • It is winter (plants are dormant)
  • The plant is flowering (wait until it is done)

Choosing the Right Pot Size

Go up one size. That is it.

  • Current pot is 4 inches? Use a 6-inch pot.
  • Current pot is 6 inches? Use an 8-inch pot.

Why not bigger? Excess soil holds too much water. The roots cannot drink it fast enough, and you end up with root rot.

What You Need

  • New pot with drainage holes
  • Fresh potting soil (not the old stuff)
  • A towel or tarp (soil goes everywhere)
  • Scissors for trimming dead roots
  • Water

Optional:

  • Perlite to mix into soil for extra drainage
  • A chopstick or skewer for working soil into gaps

Step-by-Step Repotting

1. Water the plant 1 to 2 days before

Moist soil slides out easier than bone-dry soil. But do not water the day of - you do not want muddy soil.

2. Lay down your towel

Trust me. Repotting is messy.

3. Remove the plant from the old pot

  • Tip the pot on its side
  • Gently squeeze the sides
  • Slide the plant out by the base (not the leaves)

If it is stuck, run a butter knife around the edge or tap the pot bottom.

4. Inspect the roots

Healthy roots: white, tan, or light brown. Firm.

Rotten roots: black, mushy, smell bad.

Trim any dead or rotting roots with clean scissors.

5. Loosen the root ball

If the roots are tightly circling, gently tease them apart with your fingers. This encourages them to grow outward in the new pot.

6. Add soil to the new pot

Fill the bottom with 1 to 2 inches of fresh soil. You want the plant to sit at the same depth as before.

7. Place the plant and fill in

  • Set the plant in the center
  • Fill around the sides with soil
  • Use a chopstick to work soil into gaps
  • Leave about half an inch of space at the top for watering

8. Water lightly

Water until it drains out the bottom. This settles the soil and eliminates air pockets.

9. Place in indirect light

Give the plant a week to recover in a spot with bright, indirect light. Do not put it in harsh sun right away.

Aftercare (The First 2 Weeks)

  • Water when the top inch or two dries out
  • Skip fertilizer for 4 to 6 weeks (new soil has nutrients)
  • Expect some drooping or a few yellow leaves (normal stress response)

Common Mistakes

  • Upsizing too much (a plant in a 4-inch pot does not need a 10-inch pot)
  • Using a pot with no drainage
  • Burying the stem too deep
  • Repotting in winter when the plant is dormant
  • Panicking when the plant looks sad for a few days

What To Do Next

  • If your plant keeps outgrowing pots, it might be time to prune the roots
  • If you want to avoid repotting, learn about top-dressing (replacing the top layer of soil without repotting)
  • If you just repotted and the plant is struggling, give it time and resist the urge to “fix” it
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