Repotting Houseplants: When Is It Time To Repot Your Plant?

Emma D.
1 day ago
4 min read

Generally, plants need repotting every one to two years. Repot your plants sooner if they start to show signs of outgrowing their pots, such as drying out quickly or roots coming out of the drainage holes.

Repotting houseplants isn’t only about giving your plants room to grow. Adding fresh soil gives your plants more of the nutrients they need to grow healthy and strong, plus it improves drainage, which is essential for overall plant health.

Every plant grows to its own tune, so some plants may go longer between repottings, while faster-growing plants might need repotting more frequently. Let’s discuss the signs that your plant is ready for a new pot!

How Do You Know When a Houseplant Needs Repotting

Signs your plant is ready for a large pot and fresh soil include:

If roots are growing through drainage holes.
If the roots are circling the soil.
If water runs straight through the pot.
If the soil starts drying out more quickly.
If growth seems to slow down or stop during the growth season.
If your plant becomes top-heavy or unstable.
If the pot is cracking or bulging from root growth (uncommon).

To check whether your houseplant is rootbound, take it and its pot to a table or workstation. Carefully grasp the plant and slowly pull it; you may be able to remove it and the soil completely. Or tilt the plant upside down while holding your plant and try to pull the pot off carefully. (This is easier if your plant is in a plastic nursery pot.) Once the soil is removed, inspect for circling roots or a compacted rootball.

What Size Pot Should You Choose When Repotting Houseplants

How much bigger is best when choosing your plant's next pot? It’s possible to choose a pot that is too large for your plant. In these instances, a pot that is too large can trap excess moisture and smother your plant, leading to root rot.

Choose a pot that is 1-2 inches wider in diameter than the original pot. This will keep the plant from suffocating while still providing more room to grow.

All plant containers need adequate drainage; ensure that the new pot you’ve chosen has the same or greater drainage to prevent soggy soil.

What kind of container is best? Each type of material has its own benefits: plastic keeps soil moist for longer, terracotta promotes better airflow, and ceramic pots are often decorative. Whatever pot you choose is fine as long as it has drainage. If you have a ceramic pot without drainage, simply plant in plastic pots and place them inside the ceramic for excellent drainage.

Be sure to use fresh potting soil when repotting; old soil lacks nutrients and can become compacted more easily.

Can Repotting Save An Unhealthy or Root-Bound Plant?

Yes, it can! While not a cure-all, if the reason your plant is unhealthy is a too-small pot, then repotting may bring it back to life. The same goes for a root-bound plant; repotting is absolutely the right next step for the plant’s health.

Repotting in a larger pot with fresh potting mix increases airflow, improves drainage, and provides the plant with more nutrients. All of these factors working together can perk up a plant that was in a too-small pot.

While repotting, be sure to trim away any mushy or damaged roots.

Repotting won’t solve plant health issues caused by pests, insufficient lighting, or other environmental factors, such as poor watering or placement near an air vent.

Should You Repot Houseplants Yourself Or Use A Professional Service?

Did you know many nurseries offer plant repotting services? While repotting many houseplants is an easy at-home activity, there may be times when it’s better to call in a professional.

Consider going to the experts with your plant if:

It is a very large houseplant.
It is an expensive or rare plant.
It has an especially fragile root system.
It has root rot.

Using a professional service, or stopping by Bath Garden Center to use our services, takes any guesswork or research out of your hands and ensures your plant is repotted safely in the right-sized container, with proper drainage and the correct soil. Your plant’s roots will be examined, and the whole plant will be inspected for pests, helping to ensure your plant is healthy and strong.

Schedule A Houseplant Repotting Service in Fort Collins At Bath Garden Center

Here at Bath Garden Center & Nursery, our team of expert staff can evaluate whether repotting is necessary, select the right-sized pot, choose the appropriate potting mix, and inspect the roots for signs of damage.

We have a large selection of decorative pots with drainage, high-quality potting mixes, fertilizers, pest treatments, and fun plant accessories! Your favorite houseplants are in good hands at Bath Garden Center. Reach out to our staff with questions or bring your plant to our Fort Collins nursery anytime we’re open, and we’ll get started!