How and when to repot indoor houseplants

If you think the time has come for you to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty, our guide is here to help! We’ll walk you through how to repot an indoor plant properly and explain when the best times to repot your plants are.

Why should you repot indoor plants?

After a few years, most of us will outgrow our homes. Some of us might have kids or pets that need more space. Or, we might just buy too much cool furniture and need somewhere bigger to display it all. Well, plants are no different. At some point, they’re going to outgrow their pot and need a bigger place to live.

If your plant needs a new home, it’ll give you plenty of signs to let you know. Here are some of the most common signs:

- The roots are growing out of the drainage holes or are visible above the soil.

- Water is sitting on the top and not absorbing.

- The soil always seems to be dried out and disintegrating.

- It’s been years since you repotted it.

- It just looks too big for the pot.

Sometimes, if the soil is looking a bit worn but the plant is still a good size for the pot, you just need to change the soil to make it fresh. Like sprucing up your home with a lick of paint. But if the plant definitely looks too big and is overflowing the pot, it’s time for a new one.

When to repot indoor plants?

The best time of year to repot your plants is just before the new growing season. So either late winter or early spring is ideal. This will allow your plant to soak up all the nutrients from the new soil and spread out in their bigger pots just in time to look fabulous for summer.

Normally, plants will need repotting every 12-18 months. But this can depend on how quickly they grow. Some slow-growing plants like a cactus or a snake plant will be able to stay in their pots for years and just need a soil change. If you’ve recently bought a baby plant and noticed it’s growing quickly, then it’ll need to be repotted every 6 months until the growth spurts start to slow down as it becomes older.

How to repot a plant properly

To make sure your plant lives a long and happy life, follow these steps below on how to repot them properly without the risk of killing them in the process. Before you start pulling your plants out of their pots, you’ll need a few things first:

- A new pot

- Potting mix

- A trowel

- Gloves

- Scissors or a sharp knife

- A watering can

1. Choose a slightly bigger pot

Since it’s likely your plant has outgrown its old pot, you’ll need to get another one that’s slightly bigger to allow extra room for more growth. You don’t want to get a pot that’s too big though, or the plant will feel overwhelmed and the roots won’t know where to go. We’d recommend getting a pot that’s an inch or two wider and deeper. Also, make sure the new pot has drainage holes so your plant isn’t sitting in water for weeks which will lead to root rot.

2. Fill the pot with new potting soil

Pour a fresh layer of potting soil into the new pot. You want to fill up the pot about a third of the way up. This is so the plant has enough room to grow without spilling over the top. You can get great nutrient-rich potting mix for your plants in any garden centre.

3. Water the plant thoroughly

Before you take the plant out of its old pot, give it a good watering a few days before. This will help the plant stay healthy and it’ll keep the root ball together too - making it much easier to pull out and place in the new pot.

4. Remove the plant from its old pot

Whatever you do, don’t just pull the plant right out of the pot as this can damage the leaves and the roots too! Instead, turn it upside down, putting your hand over the top of the pot, and loosen the plant by rotating it a few times. You may also need to tap the sides of the pot to get the plant moving. When the plant comes out, lay it down on its side.

5. Loosen and prune the roots

If the roots are all tangled, loosen them gently with your hands. You can prune any extra-long roots that are growing outside of the core root ball and leave the thick, healthy ones at the base of the ball. Pruning your plant’s roots will help it thrive in its new pot and allow the healthy roots to establish easier, but make sure you do only prune the tangled outer roots that have started balling and avoid the larger more prominent ones.

6. Place the plant in its new home

Create a little well in the new soil where your plant will sit and then pop the plant in the hole. Make sure the plant is centred and straighten it up before adding a bit more soil around it and patting it down securely. You can water it again at this point to help settle the new soil. It might take your plant a little while to adjust to its new home, so make sure you keep it out of any bright light and don’t water it too often.

Need some more help and advice? Check out our ultimate indoor plant care guide for all the top tips and tricks to keep your plant happy.

If you’re a new plant owner or want to get someone a green, leafy friend to look after, take a look at the best indoor plants to fill your home with.