Repotting houseplants can be quite daunting for some of you. I have lost a couple of plants in the process of repotting them. However, following these tips can make repotting easy.
- Be very gentle while pulling out the plant from its current pot to prevent root damage.
- Inspect the plant and the roots before repotting. Plant root systems tell a lot about the plant’s health. If there’s any soggy/ mushy roots, it indicates that the plant was over-watered. If the roots are papery and very dry, it's a sign of severe under-watering.
- Additionally check for pests like mealy bugs/ mold. You could spray a solution of isopropyl alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. Don’t reuse the current potting soil if it’s infected or too old.
- It goes without saying that you should use fresh well draining potting mix.
- Always scale up the plant max by 2-3 inches bigger than the current pot size. Avoid repotting the plant in way too big planters as it can cause root rot.
- While repotting if the root ball is already moist, wait for sometime before watering the plant.
- Avoid fertilizing your plants immediately after repotting them.
- Finally don’t repot your plants every now and then as it can shock the plant and lead to poor growth. Repotting is only required if the root system is severely root bound or you see the roots coming outside the current pot. Or if the plant is growing in the same pot for about a year or more.