Repotting plants: why, when and how?
Repotting plants is an essential part of their care. It gives them more room to grow, provides them with new nutrients and prevents the roots from suffocating. But when is the right time to give your plant a new home, and what should you pay attention to? In this blog, we explain it to you!
Why is repotting important?
Over time, potting soil becomes depleted and a plant's roots may not get enough space. This can lead to delayed growth or even wilting. You prefer some room to move, don't you? By repotting your plant, you ensure that:
- The roots get more room to grow.
- The plant receives new nutrients from fresh potting soil.
- Water is better absorbed and drained, preventing root rot.
- The plant remains stronger and healthier.
Fresh potting soil contains trace elements and fertilisers that nourish your plant and stimulate its growth. In addition, good fresh potting soil is nice and airy and absorbs water well. Nutrients are also retained well.
As a plant grows, the roots get less and less available space. By literally giving them more space, they will regrow and thus prevent suffocation.
If you are a bit forgetful, repotting your plants on time is definitely a good idea. A larger pot contains more potting soil, allowing it to retain more water. So you need to water plants in a large pot less quickly.
Give your plants an extra boost with these fertilisers and potting soil 👇
When should you repot your plants?
The right time to repot a plant depends on the species and conditions. Some general guidelines:
- Spring is the best time - Most house and garden plants are in a growth phase in spring, so they recover better from repotting.
- When the roots grow out of the drainage holes - This is a clear sign that the pot has become too small.
- When growth slows down - If you notice that your plant is not growing as well, this could indicate a nutrient deficiency in the soil.
- After buying a new plant - Many plants are sold in plastic pots that are too small; a larger pot with fresh soil will help them grow better.
- Every 1-2 years - Most houseplants need a bigger pot and new soil periodically. After 2 years, potting soil is really exhausted. The nutrients are depleted and water is no longer retained effectively.
How to repot a plant? Step by step
- Choose a suitable pot: Use a pot about 20% bigger than the current one. Make sure it has drainage holes to drain excess water.
- Preparing the new pot: Fill the new pot with a layer of fresh potting soil. For some plants, such as succulents and cacti, use a special mix that drains better.
- Carefully remove the plant from the old pot: gently squeeze the pot or tap the sides to loosen the plant. Never pull hard on the plant as this may damage the roots.
- Check and take care of the roots: Shake excess old soil off the roots and cut away any dead or damaged roots.
- Place the plant in the new pot: Place the plant in the centre and fill the rest of the pot up to 1 cm from the rim with fresh potting soil. Press the soil lightly, but not too firmly, so that the roots have room to spread.
- Water and let the plant acclimatise: After repotting, water so that the soil can settle well around the roots. Then put the plant in a place where it can quietly get used to its new environment.
What do you pay attention to when repotting plants?
- Use the right potting soil - Different plants have different needs. Choose the right type of soil for your plant. For orchids, for example, there is customised potting soil with nutrients specifically tailored to orchids.
- Don't choose too big a pot - Too big a pot can cause the soil to stay wet for too long, causing root rot.
- Do not repot too often - Some plants, such as orchids, do not like too frequent disturbance.
- Pay attention to drainage - Make sure the pot has holes and, if necessary, use hydro pellets for better drainage.
Give your plant one of these new homes!
Some plants, such as Monsteras, have air roots. If your plant gets really too many air roots, the time has come to repot your plant. Once repotted, you can put these roots back into the soil.
If the pot is not too small yet, but the aerial roots are getting really wild, you can use a moss stick. You plant the moss stick in the pot and guide the roots around it.
Conclusion
Repotting is an important part of plant care and helps your plants stay healthy and strong. By repotting at the right time and in the right way, you give your plants the best chance to grow and bloom.
Read more about planting in these blogs 👇
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