Do you know when it is the right time to repot your pot plant? For most gardeners, especially those who are new to it, once a plant is potted, the assumption is that it can spend its entire life in that pot, completely forgetting that most plants will, at some point, outgrow the pot and require more space to flourish.
The biggest fear amongst gardeners, is killing their beloved plant when giving it a new home. So there is a good chance that when you think about repotting your pot plant, you experience a sense of anxiety.
But repotting a pot plant doesn’t have to be a fear inducing moment. When you follow a few simple tips and have the necessary tools, you can quite easily give your plant a comfortable new home, in a pot that not only suits the needs of the plant but also fits in with your garden décor.
When is the right time to repot a pot plant?
One of the biggest reasons why your pot plant could need a new home comes down to its ever growing, and perhaps even quite complex, root system. As the plant grows in size, its roots will need space to spread out. Not only does the extra space ensure that the plant stays alive, but it will also contribute to the overall health of the plant.
Should the plant become root-bound, you will generally notice the roots peeking out from the drainage holes beneath the pot. In some cases, especially if the roots are strong, the pot might become very damaged, with cracks appearing. Eventually, the pot will break open, and you will be forced to repot it.
Alternatively, the plants roots could start shooting out of the top of the soil. In its search for more soil, and having nowhere to go (perhaps the drainage holes are already blocked by other roots), it is not all that uncommon to see the roots sneaking out of the soil around the base of the plant.
The next sign, or rather reason, why your plant could do with a new home has to do with the age of the plant. Your younger plants are likely to need a new pot, with the additional space, every 6 or so months. This is because the younger the plant is, the quicker it is going to grow. Mature plants tend to have reached their full growth potential and are, as such, far more likely to need less attention and less space as the years go by. If you are considering repotting an older plant, the rule of thumb is that it is safe to do so every few years.
Water that sits on top of the soil is also an indication that the plant is in need of a new, bigger pot. This is a sign of the roots being very much entangled, to the point that there is no space for the water to sink into the soil adequately. This not only leads to the plant not getting enough water to grow as well as it should, but it can also result in the soil becoming rather dried out, which is also not beneficial to the health of the plant.
If you are wondering when is the best time of the year to repot the plant, late winter and anytime in the spring or summer months should do. At this time of the year, the plants are quite likely to already be sprouting new shoots, so they will greatly benefit from the new space and will soon be in full bloom.
The Repotting Process
To get you started on the right track, you will need a few things that will make your gardening a success. You’ll need a pot that is somewhat bigger than the one you are removing your plant from, some drainage material, a good quality potting mix, a small spade, a comfortable pair of gardening gloves, scissors or a small sharp knife, and a watering can.
It is of utmost importance that you choose the right pot. It needs to be quite a bit bigger than the one you already have, and since you are not going to want to have to keep buying bigger pots every couple of months, it will help to perhaps buy a pot that for the moment might be a little too big. Don’t worry if your plant looks as if it might drown in the soil, it will eventually grow into it.
If you decide to buy a pot that is perhaps bigger than necessary, there is the risk that you end up overwatering the plant. Don’t be too overgenerous with your watering as you don’t want to end up with root rot, a common ailment that ends up killing plants.
You then need to have the right soil/potting mix. Peat moss mixed with a little perlite is a safe choice, but so is a mix of your normal compost and the soil you already have. You can get your potting mix from just about any nursery. At the same time, you can also stock up on some drainage materials, like straw or something similar. Drainage will allow water to slowly filter out, ensuring that your plant gets the sustenance it needs.
When you have the pot and the soil close by, you can put on your gloves and get to work removing the plant from its pot and loosening the roots. Be very gentle when you untangle the roots, and if the roots are tangled in a ball, you can use your small knife or scissors to make a few cuts that will allow the roots to come neatly undone.
Now you need to fill the pot with the new soil, ideally filling it to just below the rim. Hollow out a space and place your plant inside, covering up the roots completely, and making sure that the base of the plant is well-covered. Make sure that you don’t pack the soil too tightly.
Spread it gently and loosely, so that the roots have more than enough space to grow out.
To finish off the process, you can sprinkle some water on the plant, close to the roots, to help it settle in, and then try not to water it for about a week so that the plant can get comfortable in its new home.
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