{"id":11582,"date":"2020-01-24T10:00:49","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T16:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/b48db82f22.nxcli.net\/?p=11582"},"modified":"2023-02-20T18:07:54","modified_gmt":"2023-02-21T00:07:54","slug":"houseplant-repotting-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/houseplant-repotting-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Houseplant Repotting, Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like your first apartment, your houseplants will eventually grow out of its pot. If your <a href=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/find-fortune-with-a-money-tree\/\">plant is healthy and growing<\/a>, you\u2019re on the right track\u2014but that also means it will eventually need a roomier place to lay down its roots. However, it\u2019s not uncommon for folks to ask us how the heck to repot their houseplants without killing them! If that sounds like you, repotting is not as tough as you might think. When the time comes, you can refer to this <a href=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/how-and-when-to-start-seeds-indoors-in-illinois\/\">guide<\/a> to learn exactly how to repot your houseplant for a smooth, seamless transition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11588 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-houseplant-showing-roots-and-empty-pots.jpg\" alt=\"repotting-houseplants-explained-houseplant-showing-roots-and-empty-pots\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-houseplant-showing-roots-and-empty-pots.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-houseplant-showing-roots-and-empty-pots-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-houseplant-showing-roots-and-empty-pots-480x240.jpg 480w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1200px, 100vw\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1200px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1200\/600;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>When Should You Repot a Houseplant?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you haven\u2019t had to repot a plant before, you may be wondering how to tell if your plant needs a new home. The most common telltale signs are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The plant has become root-bound:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This simply means the plant has developed a root system that has outgrown the pot. You can tell a plant is root-bound if the roots are starting to poke through the drainage holes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The plant is showing signs of poor drainage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This could be an issue with the pot itself, or it could be that the soil or growing medium isn\u2019t working for your plant. Yellow leaves are the most common sign that a plant is starting to suffer from overwatering or root rot; if you see this even after scaling back your watering schedule, you may need to repot to correct the issue.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>If the current pot cannot support the weight of your plant:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If your plant has grown top-heavy and your planter isn\u2019t very heavy, you might need to repot the plant to keep it from tipping over!<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11590 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-tropical-plant-in-large-pot-from-above.jpg\" alt=\"repotting-houseplants-explained-tropical-plant-in-large-pot-from-above\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-tropical-plant-in-large-pot-from-above.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-tropical-plant-in-large-pot-from-above-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-tropical-plant-in-large-pot-from-above-480x240.jpg 480w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1200px, 100vw\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1200px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1200\/600;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Best Soil for Plant Repotting<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soil is like clothing\u2014what works for one plant might be a disaster for another. The best soil for repotting your plant entirely depends on the plant you\u2019re working with. Always choose an appropriate soil mix or growing medium for the plant you have, for example:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Epiphytes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, like <\/span><b>Moth Orchids<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, prefer a soilless mix with bark or sphagnum moss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>African Violets<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> prefer soil higher in humus, so choose a specialty mix for these fuzzy flowers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Succulents <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b>cacti<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> need very fast-draining, sandy soil; look for a cacti-specific soil blend.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your plant\u2019s soil needs should be on their tag, but the majority of houseplants do well with a standard potting mix. Certain plants prefer richer soils; you can improve soil richness by adding a little compost to the potting mix. Our team members at either\/both of our nursery locations are awesome resources if you\u2019re not sure which soil to choose, and whether or not to amend it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever you do, don\u2019t use soil from the garden to repot your houseplants! This would be the houseplant equivalent of putting your plant into a bathtub filled with unfamiliar pests, disease, and weeds. Stick with fresh bags from the greenhouse; these mixes are sterile and safe to use.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-11591 size-full lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-woman-pressing-soil-into-new-houseplant-pot.jpg\" alt=\"repotting-houseplants-explained-woman-pressing-soil-into-new-houseplant-pot\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-woman-pressing-soil-into-new-houseplant-pot.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-woman-pressing-soil-into-new-houseplant-pot-980x490.jpg 980w, https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/repotting-houseplants-explained-woman-pressing-soil-into-new-houseplant-pot-480x240.jpg 480w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1200px, 100vw\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1200px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1200\/600;\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Steps for Proper Repotting<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stocked up on soil? Picked out your pot? Let\u2019s get started!<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Water well one or two hours in advance: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Give your plant a deep watering; this will make repotting easier and less stressful for your plant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Prep the new pot:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Guarantee great drainage in your new container by adding some coarse material to the bottom, like rocks, pebbles, or pieces of broken <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/terracotta-vs-ceramic-pots-which-is-better-for-your-houseplants\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">terra cotta pots<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Layer on some soil:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Add a layer of fresh potting mix to the new pot to cover the coarse material.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Slide your plant out of the old pot:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Turn the old plant pot to the side, grasp your plant gently at the base, and tilt the pot to \u201cempty\u201d the soil into your hand. The soil and root ball should come out like a \u201cmold\u201d of the old pot.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Prepare your plant for landing!<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Holding your plant over the new pot, gently tease the plant roots to loosen them and release some of the old soil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>Settle in.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Place the loosened roots into the center of new pot, and backfill around the sides with fresh potting mix. Pack the potting mix in firmly, and water again to settle.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><b>Tips for a Stress-Free Move<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, repotting plants is much easier and less stressful than moving out of an apartment. However, if your goal is to repot your plant without killing it, here\u2019s what you absolutely need to know!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Size up slowly:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Move your plant up just one pot size at a time. A pot that\u2019s too big for your plant won\u2019t suit its watering needs, so you\u2019ll be more likely to over- or under-water.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Be gentle:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Never pull the plant out by the stems! If the plant isn\u2019t releasing easily from the pot, squeeze or shake the pot gently to loosen the roots and soil.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Mind the roots:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If the roots have grown through the old pot\u2019s drainage holes, anchoring the root ball inside, gently untangle them and tuck them back through the holes. Only cut roots if absolutely necessary. If you must, make sure to use a sharp, clean knife.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s all there is to it! If you think you might be nearing your plant\u2019s moving date, make sure to stop by our garden center. We\u2019re confident that you\u2019ll find a stylish, cozy new home for your favorite plant here\u2014along with some great new neighbors!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/platthillnursery.com\/r0wxmrag49\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-30212 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/platt-hill-pet-safe-houseplants-chihuahua-sansevieria-1024x339.png\" alt=\"platt-hill-pet-safe-houseplants-chihuahua-sansevieria\" width=\"1024\" height=\"339\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/platt-hill-pet-safe-houseplants-chihuahua-sansevieria-1024x339.png 1024w, https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/platt-hill-pet-safe-houseplants-chihuahua-sansevieria-980x324.png 980w, https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/platt-hill-pet-safe-houseplants-chihuahua-sansevieria-480x159.png 480w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width: 0px) and (max-width: 480px) 480px, (min-width: 481px) and (max-width: 980px) 980px, (min-width: 981px) 1024px, 100vw\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/339;\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Platt Hill Nursery is Chicago&#8217;s premier garden center and nursery.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A healthy houseplant will eventually outgrow its pot. This guide is all about repotting your houseplants quickly, easily, and stress-free!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":348,"featured_media":11589,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[971,102],"tags":[113,105,108,109,118,125,137,121,138,110,111,112,115,114,129,139],"class_list":["post-11582","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","category-houseplants","tag-best-houseplants-in-illinois","tag-best-houseplants-of-2020","tag-bloomingdale-garden-center","tag-carpentersville-garden-center","tag-growing-plants-indoors-illinois","tag-home-decor","tag-houseplant-repotting","tag-how-to-care-for-houseplants-illinois","tag-how-to-repot-houseplants","tag-illinois-garden-center","tag-illinois-gardening","tag-illinois-houseplants","tag-illinois-nursery","tag-platt-hill-nursery-illinois","tag-platt-hill-nursery-is-chicago-premier-garden-center-and-nursery","tag-repotting-houseplants"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11582","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/348"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11582"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11582\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11589"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11582"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11582"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platthillnursery.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11582"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}