How to Repot House Plants

These are a few simple tips to repot house plants without stressing them much.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• New larger pot.
• Pebbles
• Potting soil

1. It is best to repot a plant as it grows before it becomes rootbound. Choose a pot that is larger than what you have now, but not too large. If you repot into a too large pot the plant will spend way too much energy sending out new roots and not grow foliage well.

2. 

   Put a layer of pebbles, small stones, or pea gravel in the bottom of the pot. For small pots 1/2 inch should be enough. For 10 inch or larger and inch too 3 inches will work well. This will allow proper drainage. Put a few larger pebbles around the drain holes so small ones don't fall trough.

3. 

   Cover the pebbles with moistened potting soil. Tamp it down slightly. Don't compress it too much. Firm it enough that it won't settle greatly later. Fill to to a level that will allow the transplanted root ball to be 1/2 to one inch below the rim of the pot.

4. Turn the old pot and plant upside down and gently tap the plant and existing soil out. Center the plant and root ball with soil in the center of the new pot. Hold it in place with one hand and fill new potting soil in the space around it. Firm the soil in place lightly.

5. 

   Water well from the top or set the plant in a deep dish of water to draw from the bottom for an hour or so. Let the plant drain, then place it in indirect light for a few days to adjust to its new home. After a few days put in in the amount of light it is normally used to.

[Quickstar]

on 12/14/2008 Oh, I need to repot this beautiful Ivy soon. 5*

[prism]

on 12/14/2008 Great instructions! I always take for granted that everyone knows how to repot a plant but actually many people don't! Thanks!

[brandy1123]

on 12/11/2008 thanks for the tips

[NakedWriter]

on 12/8/2008 Thanks for the info. My plants always seem to be dormant for awhile after repotting. This may help! NW

[veryirie]

on 12/7/2008 Good tips on repotting house plants. Thanks, especially, for tip #2. I wasn't aware that you shouldn't repot in a pot that is too large. Good advice here!