Repotting is a simple job, but a few details decide whether the plant recovers fast or sulks for weeks. The right pot size, the right soil, and the right timing matter most.
This guide covers how to tell a plant needs a new pot, what to buy, and how to do it in seven steps.
Signs a houseplant needs repotting
Plants do not need a new pot on a schedule. Look for these signs instead.
Roots grow out of the drainage holes. Roots push up through the top of the soil. When you slide the plant out, the roots circle the inside of the pot in a tight mat. Water runs straight through the pot and out the bottom without soaking in. The plant dries out much faster than it used to. The plant is top heavy and tips over.
Some plants like a snug pot. Snake plants, spider plants, and many succulents grow well when slightly root bound. Wait until the pot bulges or cracks, or the plant stops growing.
Yellow leaves and soggy soil are a different problem. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered before you reach for a new pot.
The best time to repot
Spring and early summer are best. Plants grow fast then and recover quickly from root disturbance.
Fall and winter are poor choices because growth slows indoors. If a plant is in real trouble, such as rotting roots, repot at any time of year.
What you need
A new pot with drainage holes. Choose one that is 1 to 2 inches wider than the current pot. For a very large floor plant, 2 to 3 inches wider is fine. A pot that is much bigger holds a lot of wet soil around a small root ball. The soil stays damp too long, and the roots can rot.
Fresh potting mix. Pick a mix that suits the plant. Most foliage plants do well in a standard indoor potting mix. Cacti and succulents need a gritty mix that drains fast. Orchids need bark mix, and they follow different repotting steps than the ones here.
Clean scissors or pruning shears. Wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol.
Newspaper or a tarp to catch the mess.
A terracotta pot pulls moisture out of the soil through its walls, so soil dries faster. It suits plants that like to dry between waterings. Plastic and glazed ceramic hold water longer.
If you reuse an old pot, scrub it with soapy water first. Old soil and mineral crust can carry pests and disease.
How to repot a houseplant
Step 1: Water the plant a day before. Moist roots slide out and bend more easily than dry roots. Soaking wet soil is heavy and messy, so skip a fresh watering if the soil is already damp.
Step 2: Loosen the plant. Tip the pot on its side. Squeeze the sides of a plastic pot or tap the rim on a table edge. Hold the plant at the base of the stems and pull the root ball out. Do not yank on the leaves. If it sticks, run a butter knife around the inside edge of the pot.
Step 3: Check the roots. Healthy roots are firm and white, tan, or light brown. Cut off any that are black, brown and mushy, or smell sour. If the roots circle the root ball, tease them apart with your fingers. For a tight mat, make three or four vertical cuts up the sides of the root ball with clean scissors. This helps the roots grow outward into the new soil.
Step 4: Add soil to the new pot. Pour in enough mix so the top of the root ball will sit about an inch below the rim. That space lets you water without spilling over. Do not add a layer of gravel or broken pottery to the bottom. It does not improve drainage and it takes up room the roots could use.
Step 5: Set the plant in the pot. Center it. Keep it at the same depth it grew before. Burying the stem deeper can cause stem rot in many plants.
Step 6: Fill in around the roots. Add mix around the sides and press it down with your fingers. Leave no large air pockets, but do not pack the soil hard. Packed soil drains poorly.
Step 7: Water the plant. Pour water slowly over the soil until it runs out the drainage holes. The mix will settle. Add more soil to any low spots. Let the pot drain, then empty the saucer.
Care after repotting
Set the plant back in its usual spot with the same light. Moving it somewhere new adds a second stress.
A drooping leaf or two in the first week is normal. The plant is adjusting. Keep watering based on the soil, not the calendar. Push a finger two inches into the soil and water when it feels dry at that depth. Fresh mix often holds water differently than the old, packed soil did.
Hold off on fertilizer for a few weeks. New potting mix usually contains some nutrients, and fresh root cuts are tender. Resume your normal feeding once new growth appears.
Common repotting mistakes
Going up too many sizes is the most common one. A pot that is too big leads to wet soil, rot, and often gnats. If you already have small flies around your pots, see how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants.
Using garden soil is another. It compacts in a pot and drains poorly. Buy a mix made for containers.
Repotting a plant that does not need it is a third. If the roots are not crowded, wait. A plant in a slightly tight pot is easier to keep healthy than a plant in a pot that is too large.
Skipping drainage holes is the last one. A decorative pot without holes can hold the plant in its plastic nursery pot. Lift the nursery pot out to water, let it drain, and set it back.