How to Repot a Houseplant | Windowsill Jungle

Signs a plant needs a bigger pot

Roots growing out of the drainage hole or circling the surface
Water running straight through without soaking in
The plant drying out much faster than it used to
The plant is top-heavy and tips over easily
Growth has stalled in spring and summer despite good light and care

If none of these apply, the plant probably doesn't need repotting. Many houseplants are happy in the same pot for two years or more.

When not to repot

Avoid repotting a plant that is already stressed from a move, recently bought, flowering, or in the middle of winter. Fix light and watering first, then repot in spring or early summer when it's actively growing.

What you'll need

Get a pot just 2–5 cm (1–2 in) wider than the current one, with a drainage hole, and a bag of fresh potting mix that suits the plant. Clean scissors are handy for trimming roots, and a sheet of newspaper or an old tray will save you from sweeping soil off the floor afterwards.

Step by step

Water the day before. Moist roots hold together and slide out more easily.
Remove the plant. Turn the pot on its side, support the base of the stems, and ease it out. Squeeze plastic pots or run a knife around the inside edge if it's stuck.
Check the roots. Healthy roots are firm and pale. Trim any that are black, mushy or smell sour.
Loosen circling roots. Gently tease them apart with your fingers so they grow outward into the new soil.
Add mix to the new pot. Put enough in the bottom so the top of the root ball sits about 2 cm (1 in) below the rim.
Position and fill. Set the plant at the same depth it was growing before, then fill around the sides, pressing lightly to remove large air pockets.
Water thoroughly and let it drain completely.

Aftercare

Keep the plant in bright, indirect light for a week or two, out of harsh direct sun. Some drooping is normal for a few days. Hold off on fertilizer for about a month; fresh potting mix usually contains enough nutrients to start with.

Why not jump to a much bigger pot?

A pot that's far too large holds a lot of soil that roots can't reach. That soil stays wet for a long time, which raises the risk of root rot. Moving up one size at a time is safer.