Is that plant you adopted this summer starting to outgrow its home? If so, congratulations! That means you’re taking good care of it. But, now that your aloe plant or Monstera is asking you to give it a new home, how do you go about that? Read on to learn the most helpful tips when repotting a plant. Hint: it’s not as scary as you think!

Key Practices

Fun fact: Repotting a plant doesn’t necessarily mean transferring it from a small pot to a larger one, although it certainly can and does mean that in some instances. Repotting simply means changing the soil so the plant can get fresh nutrients. One key tip to keep in mind when selecting a new pot: choose one that isn’t drastically larger than the one you currently have. For small, tabletop plants, such as succulents, we recommend choosing one that’s only 2-3 inches larger in diameter. For floor plants such as Monstera, you can choose a pot that’s up to 6 inches larger. You don’t want to give the plant too much room and end up with a pot consisting of 70% soil and a tiny plant barely poking out the top. Plus, when you choose a pot that’s too big for the plant, it’s easier to overwater and cause root rot. 

When to Repot A Plant

As a general rule of thumb, plants should be repotted every 12-18 months in the early spring. Not sure when you last repotted your plant? No worries! You can look for obvious signs such as roots poking through the pot’s drainage holes, the plant is top-heavy, and when it dries out abnormally fast, Here’s a quick trick: Take a look at your plant. Is the outer part (the leaves and stems) taking up approximately three times more space than the diameter of the plant? If so, it’s time to choose a new pot! Hooray for having a solid excuse to shop at HomeGoods. 

How to Transfer a Plant

Repotting a plant is not a spur of the moment decision. There are about 2-3 days of prep work to repot a plant. But don’t worry, it’s so easy! Just make sure to thoroughly water the soil 2-3 days before actually transferring the plant to its new home. Then, layout a towel or piece of newspaper and tilt the plant on its side to encourage it to release itself from the pot. It might take a few taps, but just be patient with it. Once the plant is out of the pot, gently untangle the roots and prune the extra-long ones. Add a fresh layer of damp to your new container and center the plant in the pot. Now, you can add soil up an inch from the lip of the pot. This will prevent spillage when you water your plants. Finally, give your plant a nice shower and leave it to drain. That’s it! Easy enough, right? 

One final tidbit of plant advice for you

Water your plants in the morning! This way, you’ll be quenching your plants' thirst before the sunlight comes through which means your plant will have all day to soak up the water before the sun goes down. Even plants that don’t get as much sunlight will have enough time to absorb the water before nightfall, which helps prevent root rot. 

Are you ready to repot some plants now? Whether you’re looking for an excuse to give your succulent a new home in an adorable pot you found thrifting or if your plant genuinely needs to stretch out its feet, repotting will expand its life and create a stable environment for it to grow. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us!