How to Repot a Plant the Right Way Generally, plants need to be repotted every one to two years to help promote future growth and prevent root rot. In This Article View All In This Article How Often to Repot Signs to Repot When to Repot Choosing a Container Choosing Soil Repotting Steps FAQ Repotting is an essential task that helps houseplants stay healthy. It gives plants more room to grow and prevents the soil from being depleted of moisture and important nutrients. Missing this step can result in plants with wilted leaves, stunted growth, and dry soil. Repotting houseplants is more manageable when you know the right steps and have the necessary tools. Our expert gardeners share their tips below on how to repot a plant successfully. Katie Dubow is the president of Garden Media, a public relations firm specializing in the home and garden industry. She also frequently appears on QVC for Cottage Farms, a plant retailer. Melinda Myers is a nationally known gardening expert, TV/radio host, author, columnist, and speaker. She also offers courses on The Great Courses: How to Grow Anything. Matthew Peterson is the West Conservatory manager at Longwood Gardens, the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont. How Often to Repot Plants Luckily, repotting your plants doesn't need to be done frequently. "On average, repotting should be done every one to two years, depending on the plant's size and how quickly it is growing," says Katie Dubow, president of Garden Media and QVC garden guest with Cottage Farms. "However, for plants that are growing very quickly, it may be necessary to repot them more often." Let your plants take the time to grow into their existing pots rather than rushing to give them a new container. "Moving them into a larger pot before it's necessary can slow growth, stop or delay flowering, and increase the risk of root rot as there is more soil than needed, so it retains water longer," says Melinda Myers, gardening expert and host of the Great Courses How to Grow Anything series. Credit: GETTY IMAGES Signs It's Time to Repot a Plant Once you get to know your plant, it will be easier to tell when they're ready for a new home. In general, there are a few universal signs it's time to repot a plant. It Needs More Water A change in your plant's watering schedule may mean it needs repotting. "The number one sign that it is time to repot your houseplant is watering frequency," says Matthew Peterson, West Conservatory manager at Longwood Gardens. If your plant is drying out constantly, which may lead to yellowing leaves or brown tips, and needs multiple drinks a week, it may be time to bump it to a larger container. It's Sinking If you notice that your plant is sinking in its container, it means the potting mix is breaking down and becoming more compact. "This prevents good drainage and leaves the container with less media for your houseplant's roots to grow in," says Peterson. It's Root Bound Roots showing through the drainage holes of your container means your plant is ready to be repotted. "Houseplants that become root-bound—roots spiraling at the bottom of the pot, or trying to escape through drainage holes—will need to be repotted to provide the roots with more space to grow," says Dubow. When this happens, be extra careful when repotting to avoid damaging the roots. The Best Time to Repot a Plant Choosing the right time to repot a plant will give it the best chance to adapt to its new environment. "Spring through early summer is the best time as the growth usually improves as the days get longer and sunlight is more intense," says Myers. "Indoor plants benefit from these outdoor conditions and will recover quickly from transplanting and tend to put on more growth at that time of the year." Choosing a New Container When selecting a new pot for your houseplant, it's important that you slowly increase the size over time. "Just as you wouldn't take an infant and dress them in clothing for a 6-year-old child, it is also important that the container selected is only slightly larger than your houseplant's current container," says Peterson. "You only want to increase your pot size by no more than a third each time." In addition to being slightly bigger, you should also choose a container that has drainage holes. "This will help to ensure that the soil does not become waterlogged, which can lead to root rot," says Dubow. "Plastic, terra cotta, and ceramic containers are all fantastic options." Choosing the Right Potting Soil Add the right type of fresh potting soil to the new container when repotting. "When repotting houseplants, it is important to use a potting mix that is specifically designed for indoor conditions," says Dubow. "This type of soil is formulated to provide the right balance of nutrients and moisture for houseplants." A loose, porous growing medium that contains bark, charcoal, and perlite will aid with drainage and water retention to avoid root rot. "The orchid mix contains bark, charcoal, and perlite that will help promote drainage and proper air circulation around roots," says Peterson. Achieve optimal conditions using a ratio of 50 percent orchid potting mix with 50 percent regular potting mix. Combine the two potting mixes in a separate container and water slightly to eliminate any hidden hydrophobic areas in the new pot. How to Repot a Plant Start by watering your plant generously right before removing it from its pot. "This will help leech out any accumulated salts that have built up over time," says Peterson. Once the soil is moist, you can gently remove your plant from its container and begin the repotting process. Slide the plant out of the pot. If it does not budge, run a blunt knife along the inside of the pot to loosen the roots.Carefully remove any excess soil from the roots.Trim off any dead or damaged roots and gently loosen any circling roots.Pour a thick layer of potting mix at the bottom of the new container.Place the plant in the pot and fill in around the edges with potting mix.Gently tamp the soil to remove air pockets.Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain out.Place the pot in a well-lit area. Frequently Asked Questions What should I avoid doing when repotting a plant? Avoid repotting a plant into a container that's too large or one without drainage holes. Also, make sure you have the right type of potting soil for your plant. Do I break up the roots when repotting a plant? Gently loosen tangled roots and trim the dead and damaged portions when repotting. Should I water a plant immediately after repotting it? You can water a plant immediately after repotting it. Avoid overwatering or saturating the soil so the roots can have a chance to breathe and settle into the new pot. Should I wet down the soil or keep it dry before repoting a plant? Though not mandatory, it's suggested that wetting the potting mix before repotting a plant ensures the water will be absorbed evenly. Explore more: Garden Houseplants Sources decorvow is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Repotting Houseplants. Penn State Extension.