Plant notes

When and How to Repot Your Houseplants (Without Killing Them)

I'll be honest—I avoided repotting my plants for way too long when I first started keeping them. It seemed scary and complicated, like I'd definitely mess it up. But after watching my poor pothos literally push itself out of its pot, I had to figure it out. Turns out, it's actually pretty straightforward once you know what to look for. Here's what I've learned from repotting probably two dozen plants in my flat over the past few years.

Signs Your Plant Actually Needs Repotting

The most obvious sign is roots coming out of the drainage holes at the bottom—that's your plant literally trying to escape. I've also noticed that when plants need repotting, they dry out super quickly, like you watered two days ago and the soil's already bone dry again. When you lift the plant out (just give it a gentle tug), if you see more roots than soil, that's called being rootbound and it's definitely time. Sometimes you'll see roots circling around the top of the soil too. Another thing I've noticed is when a plant just seems to have stopped growing entirely during its growing season, or the leaves start looking a bit sad despite you doing everything right. Not every struggling plant needs repotting though—sometimes they're just being dramatic for other reasons.

Choosing the Right Pot and Soil

I used to think bigger is better, but I've learned that's actually not great for plants. You only want to go up one size, maybe two inches wider in diameter than the current pot. Too big and the soil stays wet too long, which leads to root rot (learned that the hard way with a snake plant). Make absolutely sure whatever pot you choose has drainage holes—I cannot stress this enough. I've killed plants by using cute pots without drainage. As for soil, I just use regular houseplant potting mix from the garden centre for most things. For succulents and cacti, I mix in some extra perlite or sand because they need it grittier. For plants that like moisture like ferns, the regular stuff works fine. Don't use garden soil from outside—it's too heavy and can bring in pests.

The Actual Repotting Process

I always do this in my kitchen with newspaper spread everywhere because I'm messy. First, water your plant a day before—it makes it easier to remove and less stressful for the plant. Put some soil in the bottom of the new pot, then gently remove the plant from its old pot. If it's really stuck, I squeeze the sides of the pot or run a butter knife around the edges. Once it's out, I gently loosen the roots a bit with my fingers, especially if they're circling around. Don't be too rough, but don't be scared either—roots are tougher than they look. Place the plant in the new pot at the same depth it was before, then fill in around the sides with fresh soil. I use a chopstick to poke the soil down so there aren't air pockets. Pat it down gently, water thoroughly, and you're done. I usually keep newly repotted plants out of direct sun for a few days while they adjust.

What I've Learned From Mistakes

The biggest mistake I made early on was repotting at the wrong time. Don't repot in winter when plants are dormant—they won't recover as well. Spring or early summer is ideal. Also, don't fertilize right after repotting. I did this once thinking I was being helpful, but fresh potting soil already has nutrients and you can burn the roots. Wait at least a month. Another thing—it's okay if your plant looks a bit droopy or shocked for a week or two after repotting. That's normal. Just keep caring for it as usual and it'll bounce back. And honestly, not every plant needs repotting every year. Some plants like being slightly rootbound. My peace lily and spider plants have actually bloomed more when they're a bit snug in their pots. You learn to read what each plant needs.

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