Repotting Your Houseplants
A Guide to Determining If a Plant is Root Bound and How to Repot
Jan 21, 2008
While some houseplants prefer to be root bound, most of them appreciate being repotted from time to time. A root bound houseplant will show its displeasure by wilting, halting growth and drying out very quickly after being watered. For very large plants that are difficult to move, refreshing the soil is an easily solution. Simply remove the top two or three inches of soil and replace with fresh soil, then water thoroughly. This is often all a large floor specimen needs. For smaller plants, repotting is a simple process that will result in happier, more vigorous plants. The ideal time to repot is now, before the new growing season begins.
The first step is to figure out which plants need to be repotted. Pick up each one and look at the bottom of the pot. Are there roots poking out of the drainage holes? That is a sure sign the plant is root bound. If not, gently tip the plant out of its pot and take a look. If there are roots wrapped entirely around the soil, or it looks like there are more roots than soil, it's time to repot.
Find a spot with enough space to spread out and lay down a layer or two of newspaper on the surface. This will absorb any water spills and make cleaning up easier. Next, find a suitable pot to transfer your plant to. Stick to one that is no more than 2 inches bigger than the one the plant is currently in. For example, if the plant is in a 4 inch pot, go up no higher than a 6 inch pot, and so on. If the pot has been previously used, make sure it’s been washed well in hot soapy water - this is especially important if the plant that used to be in it was discarded due to disease or insect infestation. Once a properly sized pot has been choosen, it’s time for the soil. Be sure to choose a well-known brand, and stay away from the generic bargain basement types that sell for a dollar or two. They are of low quality and turn to mud when moistened, then dry to cement-like texture. This will kill plants. They need light, well draining soil that allows their roots to breathe.
Once the area has been set up and supplies assembled, pick up the plant and gently tip it out of its pot. Carefully remove as much soil as possible from the roots and examine them. Snip off any that look brown or mushy. This is also a good time to check for insect problems such as root mealy bugs, which look like fuzzy white growths on the roots. Fill the new pot with soil about a third of the way up and place the plant in it. Make sure the soil line is even with the edge of the pot. Remove the plant and add more soil if necessary. Once completed, fill in the sides and tamp down gently, then water thoroughly and let drain. Don’t be surprised if the plant wilts a little, as repotting can shock them a bit. Just let it be and it should rebound quickly and reward you with vigorous new growth!
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