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The Most Important Part: Your Potting Mix

How to Repot

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Repotting Made Easy

When plants grow, it also means having more roots. Neglecting the plants in their original growing pot or container restricts them from further growth. The roots get compacted or overcrowded making it difficult for water and air to circulate in the potting mix-- making your plant suffer and grow weak.

How often you need to repot depends on how fast your plant is actively growing. Fast-growing plants may need to be repotted every year, while slow-growing plants may require repotting only every two to three years. But for plants that are still in its growing stage, they may require repotting every few months to allow sufficient space for growth.

The easiest way to tell if a plant needs repotting is when you see roots growing out of the drainage hole or if the plant requires frequent watering or wilts shortly after watering. 

Choose the appropriate soil-less potting mix. Never use plain garden soil as it normally compacts over time, carries bad organisms and is likely to harbor soil-borne diseases and dirt.

Select a pot that is only 1 to 2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot. Too big a pot could lead to root rot because the small plant will not be able to consume all the excess water in the potting mix. Out in nature, water will simply flow away; in a pot, your plant's roots will be trapped along with the water.

Cover drainage holes with clay pot shards, gravel or even coffee filter! This is too keep the potting mix from spilling out every time you water while allowing the excess water to flow through.

Tap the container gently around the edges to help loosen the plant. Spread your fingers around the stem and turn the plant upside down until the plant comes loose from the pot.

Gently loosen the root system so that roots are not in a tight rootball. If the roots are too tight to loosen, pry apart the rootball with a knife to loosen them.

Place enough soil-less potting mix to bring the base of the plant stem an inch from the lip of the pot.

Center your plant into the container and ease it in. Add more mix around the plant and if required top up with more potting mix but avoid over-filling the pot.

Water well until excess water drains out of the pot -- preferably with some liquid seaweed fertilizer mixed with the water. This helps remove air pockets and helps the plant recover from the stress of repotting.

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