Repotting houseplants ensures plants have the room they need to spread out below and above the soil. A too-small pot constricts growth and can even slowly kill a plant. Repotting houseplants may seem like a big task, but it’s not that bad. Here is what you need to know about when to repot houseplants.
When Does a Houseplant Need Repotting?
Houseplants need to be repotted when they outgrow their current container. Rootbound is the term to describe a plant that is too big for its pot. A root-bound plant has filled the existing pot and has no room to grow.
Some houseplants are fine being rootbound, at least for a while. Other plants cannot stand living in a tight pot. Learn more about your specific plant to determine whether being rootbound is a serious problem. Some plants grow fast, and others grow slowly, so understanding what is normal for a particular plant is helpful.
There are a few things to look for to know when to repot houseplants.
Slow Growth
Plants grow more slowly as they become rootbound or stop growing altogether. If you have a fast-growing Pothos or Spider Plant, and suddenly, it’s not pushing out new leaves, then growth has slowed down, and it is most likely rootbound. Slow growth can be hard to gauge if the plant is new, in which case, look for other signs that it’s time to repot.
Don’t mistake dormancy for slow growth. Dormancy is a rest period that prepares plants for the upcoming growing season. Plants naturally slow down and grow extremely slowly and not at all during the winter.
Frequent Watering
Houseplants that have outgrown their pot will need water more often, and you may notice water quickly draining through the pot. When you water a plant that is not rootbound, the soil absorbs some of the water, and eventually, the roots soak up the moisture.
A plant that is becoming rootbound will have more roots and foliage, so it will require more water. A growing plant will drink up the available moisture more quickly, and you may find it needs water more often.
When a plant is rootbound, the roots are crammed together, and the soil is compressed. If you water a plant in this state, the water will drain through. The soil cannot absorb much, if any, water, so it passes right through. If you notice a houseplant is showing signs of dehydration despite the fact that you regularly water it or you have to empty a significant amount of water from the cover pot or saucer, then it may be rootbound.
Stray Roots
Roots will explore in hopes of finding more space when a pot has become too small. Most often, roots will start to grow through the drainage holes in the pot. Lift the plant from the cover pot to check for roots poking through the drainage holes. Roots may also appear at the surface of the soil.
Don’t mistake aerial roots for roots that grow below the soil line. Aerial roots are normal for many plants and appear above the soil. Aerial roots should be visible and have nothing to do with a rootbound plant.
Check the Rootball
The most surefire way to know if a plant is rootbound is to check the roots. Roots emerging from the drainage holes are a definite sign of a rootbound plant, but that doesn’t always happen right away. Gently slide the plant out of the grow pot to inspect the roots. A tight mass of roots with barely any visible soil is a problem, and that answers the question of when to repot houseplants.
When is the Best Time to Repot Houseplants?
Try to time repotting houseplants for the spring. Increased sunlight and warm temperatures encourage plants to grow in spring and summer. Giving a plant a new home at the start of the growing season gives the plant room to grow. Avoid repotting dormant plants because they prefer being left alone. Spring is the best time to repot houseplants, but any time during the growing season, particularly early in the growing season, is okay.
Repot extremely rootbound plants at any time. If you add a new plant to your collection, get it home, and realize it’s suffocating in its small pot, give it an upgrade regardless of the time of year.
When to Wait to Repot Houseplants
Waiting to repot a houseplant can sometimes be a purposeful decision, but it depends on the type of plant and what you want to achieve. Some blooming plants are more likely to set flowers when they fit snuggly in their pot. Repotting too soon may prevent the plant from blooming.
Large floor plants sometimes do best when allowed to become completely rootbound before repotting. Remember that being rootbound slows growth, and if you have a tall plant that may outgrow your space, slowing down the growth allows it to fit for as long as possible. Eventually, the plant will need a new container, so you’ll have to decide if you want to divide or prune that plant, but letting the plant become rootbound is an effective size management tactic.
Understanding When to Repot Houseplants
Repotting houseplants can seem like a chore, but it’s essential to houseplant care. Routinely check your houseplants and look for signs that it is time to repot. Choose the right plant pot when it is time to repot and use fresh soil to set your plant up for a happy, healthy, and successful growing season.