Repotting is a crucial part of plant care that allows your plants to grow healthy and thrive. Over time, plants outgrow their pots or deplete the nutrients in their soil, leading to stunted growth or other signs of plant stress. Repotting ensures that plants have ample space for their roots to spread, access to fresh nutrients, and a new environment to flourish.

In this blog, we'll explore what repotting means, the signs that indicate it's time to repot and a simple step-by-step guide on how to repot your plants.

What It Means to Repot Plants

Repotting refers to moving a plant from its current container into a larger one or refreshing its soil to provide more room for growth and fresh nutrients. Over time, the plant's roots may become too large for the pot, leading to them being 'root-bound'—a condition where the roots become densely packed and unable to absorb water and nutrients properly. Repotting not only gives the roots more space but also introduces fresh soil, which boosts the plant's health by replenishing the nutrients it needs to thrive.

5 Signs Your Plants Need to Be Repotted

Knowing when to repot your plants is essential for keeping them healthy. Here are five tell-tale signs that your plant is ready for a new home:

1. Roots coming out of the drainage hole: When you see roots growing out from the bottom of the pot, it's a clear sign that your plant is root-bound. The roots are densely packed, often forming tight circles around themselves, leaving little room for water or nutrients to be absorbed properly.
2. Limping and losing leaves: If your plant begins to look droopy, even after being watered or starts shedding leaves unexpectedly, this could indicate that the roots are overcrowded and struggling to support the plant's growth.
3. Yellowing leaves: Leaves turning yellow can be a sign of stress due to nutrient deficiency or poor water absorption, both of which are common when a plant has outgrown its pot.
4. Less water retention: When the soil in your plant's pot seems to dry out much faster than before, this could be due to an overcrowded root system. The roots may be absorbing water too quickly, or the old soil may have compacted and lost its ability to retain moisture.
5. Soil drying out too fast: If your plant’s soil is drying out too quickly after watering, it may be because the roots have taken up most of the space in the pot, leaving very little soil to hold moisture. Repotting will provide fresh soil that can retain water more effectively.

Steps to Repot Plants

Now that you know when to repot your plants, follow these simple steps to ensure a smooth transition for your plant.

1. Choose a bigger pot: Select a new pot that is 4-5 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Make sure it has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging.
2. Add fresh potting mix: Fill the new pot with a fresh, high-quality potting mix. Fresh soil offers better nutrients and water retention than old, exhausted soil.
3. Carefully remove the plant from the smaller pot: To avoid damaging the plant, gently loosen the soil around the edges and tilt the pot to slide the plant out. If the roots are particularly dense, you may need to gently tap or squeeze the pot to help release the rootball.
4. Prune and loosen the rootball: Once the plant is out, inspect the rootball. If the roots are tightly coiled, gently loosen them up with your hands. You should also prune any dead or circling roots that could prevent healthy growth. Try to replace as much of the old soil with fresh soil as possible.
5. Place the plant in the new pot and cover it with soil: Position the plant in the centre of the new pot and fill in the surrounding space with fresh potting mix. Press the soil down gently but firmly to eliminate any air pockets around the roots.
6. Water immediately and add compost if needed:After repotting, water the plant thoroughly to help settle the soil around the roots. Adding a layer of organic compost can also give the plant a nutrient boost, especially if it's a heavy feeder.

Repotting may seem like a daunting task, but it’s a simple process that can dramatically improve your plant’s health. By recognising the signs that your plant needs repotting and following these easy steps, you can keep your plants growing strong and healthy for years to come.

Happy Gardening!