It's time to think about repotting your plants! Early spring is the best time to do this. Before the start of your plants' growing season. They'll be better equipped to withstand the shock of changing pots.
Why repot?
In order to grow and flower, plants need to feed and gradually deplete the soil in the pots in which they are placed. That's why we recommend regular repotting, generally every 12 to 18 months. Some slow-growing plants can remain in the same pot for years, but the soil must then be renewed, a process known as "resurfacing".
When to repot?
If you observe one or more of the following signs, you'll know it's time to repot:
- Roots grow through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot.
- The roots push the plant upwards, out of the pot.
- The plant grows more slowly than usual (outside winter dormancy).
- The plant is heavy and falls easily.
- The plant dries out more quickly than usual and requires more frequent watering.
- The aerial parts of the plant take up more than three times the space of the pot.
Sometimes plants need a new pot as soon as they are purchased. Check the condition of the roots.
Spring is the best time of year to repot your plants. They emerge from their winter rest and resume their activity. Autumn is also a good time to repot, especially after strong growth.
When not to repot?
There are no fixed rules that apply to all plants, but there are a few recommendations.
- Do not repot a plant that is in the process of flowering. The shock of repotting can be fatal to flowering. A concrete example of this phenomenon is the dropping of flower buds, frequently observed with Christmas cacti.
- Do not repot XXL plants. You risk injuring the plant if it is too heavy to lift safely. In this case, it's best to simply top up the plant. This means removing about 2 cm of soil from the top of the pot and replacing it with fresh compost. This will provide the nutrients it needs and increase the pot's water absorption capacity.
- You don't want your plant to grow. It's almost self-evident that if you repot, the plant will grow. So if you don't want it to grow, don't repot it!
- Don't repot a sick houseplant. It's not a miracle solution. Unless the soil is in very poor condition, it's far more likely that your plant's sickly appearance is due to another problem (watering or otherwise), and repotting can make the situation worse.
How to repot?
Sooner or later, your houseplants outgrow their pots. Repotting is essential to give them a new lease of life. Here's how.
Choosing a new container
It's important that your new container is the right size, clean and disinfected (with bleach) if it's a recovery container.
The main reason for repotting is that the plant lacks space in its current pot. You need to give the roots enough room to support the part of the plant you like. Make sure the new pot is not only wider, but also deeper.
Fill the new jar with the correct mixture
- Add a drainage layer: line the bottom of the pot with a layer of gravel or clay balls. The aim is to allow excess water to run off, away from your plant's roots.
- Choose a suitable potting soil: fill the pot ¾ full with a potting soil suitable for the type of plant you are repotting. Ask your nurseryman for advice.
Preparing the plant and setting it up
- Remove the plant from its current pot. Rather than pulling on the plant, turn it over with your hand on top of the pot. Rotate the plant a few centimeters in either direction to loosen it and slide it out of the pot. You can use a knife to help separate the plant from the pot.
- Detach and prune roots. Pruning dead, damaged or brittle roots will help the plant to thrive in its new pot. Remove any roots growing out of the central root ball. Then untangle healthy roots so that they grow outwards rather than inwards. If the roots grow in tight circles around the base of the plant, detach them as best you can and prune them back with sharp pruning shears.
- Remove the old potting mix. Remove about a third or more of the potting soil surrounding the plant. As your plant grows, it has eliminated some of the nutrients contained in the current mix. So you need to give it as much of the new mix as possible.
- Place the plant. Place the plant you've removed from the growing pot on the new layer of soil in the new pot, making sure it's well centered, then add potting soil around the plant until it's secure. Be careful not to put too much soil in the pot, as you want the roots to be able to breathe.
Tamp and lightly water
Pack the soil around the plant so that it is stable. Water lightly and leave to stand for a week, away from direct sunlight. Spray foliage regularly. Now that your plant has been repotted, it's time to continue caring for it properly. Here are some tips for the first few weeks after repotting.
- Water frequently. Your plant will need a little more water to adapt. The roots may start to grow and will need the extra moisture.
- Don't expose it to direct sunlight, as it will be more sensitive during this period.
- Do not fertilize for about a month.
Once this initial period is over, return to caring for your plant as before.
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