When people become parents, they often start looking for a bigger living space. A similar phenomenon occurs among “plant parents”: A time will come when our cherished plants become rootbound, requiring us to repot them into larger living spaces.
Periodic repotting is standard practice when you have indoor plants, so learning how to do it (and, more importantly, when) is crucial to long-term plant health and success. Here are three unmistakable signs that your plant needs a larger pot.
1. Your Plant Stops Growing
While some plants grow slowly, and others quickly, you should consistently see new growth as time passes. If a once-vigorous plant slows down dramatically, or if its new growth looks small or sickly compared to what you’ve seen in the past, it’s probably time to repot.
2. Your Plant’s Water Needs Increase
Watering is essential for every plant, even desert succulents, though overwatering is always a risk when you’re a houseplant novice. (Don’t worry, you can often save them.) Getting to know your plants’ specific watering needs and watering only when necessary is an important step on your growing journey. Yet, even after you’ve mastered their quirks, you may find that some plants suddenly need more frequent waterings. That shift is a telltale sign that their root growth has taken up most of the pot’s available space.
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3. The Soil in Your Pot Is Crusty and White on Top
Over time, you’ll start to see crusty deposits building up at the top of the soil. These deposits are salts, introduced through your tap water or your choice of fertilizer. They’re a sign that the soil needs renewing, often because your plant’s roots are taking up so much of the pot. In this case, when you’re potting up your plant, be sure to scoop out as much of the old soil as possible (without damaging the roots) and replace it with fresh soil.
When Not To Pot Up Your Plants
There are a few times when it’s not appropriate to repot your plant. Some plants, for example, do best when they are slightly rootbound. Also, some species can become too large for your space if continually repotted. For those plants, your better option is to periodically prune the roots, replenish the container with new soil, and place the plant back into the same pot. If your plant is already top-heavy, instead of potting up, consider switching to a heavier or wider pot (for more stability) that holds the same quantity of soil.
