If your house plants could talk, they'd probably have some strong opinions about their current living arrangements. While they can’t speak up, they can drop hints; subtle, leafy hints.
Before repotting house plants, it’s important to check that the plant does indeed need a larger pot. Here are 3 things you can check before moving your plant to a roomier place:
Check the roots
You’ll need to gently pull the plant out of it’s pot, just enough to check the roots. If the pot feels too tight, you can gently tap the sides to loosen the soil. Holding the base of the plant, pull it up and out of the plant. If you cannot see many roots, then your plant will be fine in it’s current pot for a while longer. But if the roots have escaped the soil; they are curling back up to the top of the plant; they are escaping the drainage holes in the pot or they just look squashed, then it’s time to give your plant a new home.
Monitor water absorption
If after watering, the soil seems to dry out quickly, then this could mean that the roots have outgrown the pot and there isn’t enough room for soil. Also, if the water is running straight through the soil and coming out through the drainage holes, then this is a sign that the soil doesn’t have enough space to absorb the water; the root system is too dense and they need more room.
Assess plant health
If your plants' growth seems to be slow or stunted, this could suggest that the roots don’t have enough room to encourage growth. Likewise, if your plant is growing but is growing “top heavy” or leaning toward one side, then the roots may be dominating the pot.
A plant that has yellowing leaves or is dropping leaves frequently, could have nutrient deficiencies. This is likely to be when it has absorbed all the nutrients from the soil and is getting ready for new, fresh soil. Another way of knowing if the soil needs changing is if you notice a decrease in the level of soil or a change in colour (like the loss of the white perlite).
To give your plants the very best chance of settling into their new place and encouraging new growth, try using Root Well; designed to enhance the health and growth of your plants by fostering a strong, resilient root system. Root Well helps plants absorb more water and nutrients, promoting healthy growth and improving disease resistance. By increasing the plant's ability to unlock essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from the soil, you can ensure your plants thrive in any environment.
Repotting house plants might seem like a big task, but your plants will thank you for it. Whether you’re preventing root rot, giving those roots room to stretch, or simply upgrading your plant’s living situation, a little repotting TLC goes a long way in helping your green friends thrive.
So, grab that fresh potting mix and get to work - your plants will be rootin’ for you!
