Potting soil mixes

Step by step

1. Step 1

   Watch for signs that your plant is ready for a new pot

   Roots circling inside the pot, roots pushing through the drainage holes, or soil that dries out quickly are all signals to repot.

2. Step 2

   Slide the plant out of its pot and look at the rootball

   If the roots form a solid mass around the rootball, the plant needs repotting.

3. Step 3

   Check the bottom of the pot for roots

   Roots growing out of the drainage hole are a sign the plant needs a bigger home.

4. Step 4

   Pay attention to how often you water

   A plant that needs frequent watering, or wilts soon after a drink, is telling you it needs repotting.

5. Step 5

   Notice how fast the potting mix dries out

   If it dries out very quickly, even in cooler weather, that is a sign the plant needs repotting.

6. Step 6

   Track the plant's growth through spring and summer

   Foliage and stems that have stopped growing or slowed down, even with regular feeding, signal it is time to repot.

7. Step 7

   Examine the bottom third of the rootball

   If you can barely see any potting mix there, the plant needs repotting.

8. Step 8

   Watch how quickly water drains when you water the plant

   When there are more roots than soil in the pot, water runs straight out of the bottom.

9. Step 9

   Check whether the plant is becoming unstable

   A plant that tips over easily because it is top heavy, or a container that is cracking from root pressure, both need repotting.

10. Step 10

    Think about how old the soil is and how the plant is growing

    Old soil in a plant that grows slowly or is not watered often can show up as stunted growth, poor water absorption, or fertilizer that no longer seems to work.

11. Step 11

    Repot only when the plant shows these signs, not on a fixed schedule

    Do this work during spring and summer, while the plant is actively growing.

12. Step 12

    Choose spring as your window for repotting

    This is when the plant naturally and actively begins its seasonal growth.

13. Step 13

    Skip repotting if the plant is ailing or dormant

    Also hold off on a plant that is just beginning to flower.

14. Step 14

    Choose a new pot sized for a small step up

    Select one that is 1 to 2 inches (2.5-5 cm) larger in diameter than the current pot.

15. Step 15

    Keep the size increase modest for houseplants generally

    Move into a container no more than 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm) larger in diameter than the original pot.

16. Step 16

    Avoid sizing up too far

    A plant put into a container that is too big can become susceptible to root rot.

17. Step 17

    Water the plant while it is still in its original container

    Let it rest for one hour before you begin repotting.

18. Step 18

    Prepare a new porous container before you use it

    Soak an unglazed clay pot in water overnight first.

19. Step 19

    Confirm the new container has a drainage hole

    A drainage hole lets excess water escape and helps prevent root rot.

20. Step 20

    Skip adding a layer of clay pieces or rocks at the bottom of the pot

    This layer actually slows water movement through the pot rather than helping it.

21. Step 21

    Cover the drainage hole loosely if needed

    A small piece of broken clay pot placed over the hole stops soil from washing out.

22. Step 22

    Loosen the root system before you repot

    Gently disturb or tease the roots so they are no longer in a tight, densely matted or circling rootball.

23. Step 23

    Trim the roots if you want to keep the plant's size down

    Remove the outer section of the roots before you repot.

24. Step 24

    Choose a potting mix suited to the plant

    Mixes may include varying proportions of perlite, vermiculite, peat moss, coir, and added fertilizers and minerals.

25. Step 25

    Leave garden soil out of the mix

    Using garden soil in indoor containers for houseplants could lead to disease and pest problems.

26. Step 26

    Add a layer of dry potting mix to the new pot first

    Add enough so the top of the rootball sits within 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the container's top.

27. Step 27

    Set the plant at the same depth it was growing before

    Do not add soil above the original level on the rootball.

28. Step 28

    Fill in around the rootball with care

    Gently press the soil with your fingers rather than packing it firm, and never pack wet media.

29. Step 29

    Water the plant well right after repotting

    Water until excess water drains out of the bottom of the pot.

30. Step 30

    Manage water in a decorative outer pot

    Leave space between the drainage hole and the bottom of the decorative container, and pour off any water left in the cachepot after you water the plant.

31. Step 31

    Refresh the soil of a plant already in a large pot instead of repotting it

    Remove the top 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm) of soil and replace it with fresh mix every other year or so.

32. Step 32

    Size the new pot carefully for a wax plant (Hoya carnosa)

    The new pot should not be more than 2 inches (5 cm) larger than the existing container.

33. Step 33

    Repot a zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) on a yearly schedule

    Move it up just one pot size each year.