So, you want to know how to repot a plant without killing it? It may seem like an easy task, but there are some things you need to know.
First and foremost, it is not recommended to repot live plants during the winter season.
Next, it is important that you use a potting mix with good drainage. Lastly, be cautious of overwatering your plant while it is still in its new home.
With these tips in mind, you can go wrong with your repotting task.
However, it does not stop there; there are a few things you need to know, such as what potting mix to use and how often you should repot your house plants. Continue reading to find out more.
How Do You Repot a Plant Without Killing It?
The first step is to find a pot that’s at least 1–2 inches bigger than the current pot.
Fill the new pot with potting soil, and make sure it’s deep enough so that the plant will not touch the bottom of the pot.
If you’re going to be repotting a succulent, then put some rocks in the bottom of your new container.
Succulents need more drainage because they are prone to root rot and don’t do well sitting in water or wet soil for long periods of time.
Now take your plant out of its old container and gently loosen up any roots that may be tangled, but don’t pull on them too hard because you’ll risk pulling them out if you do.
If your plant has two pot sizes, use the smaller one.
Fill the smaller pot with a soil mix (see below for what type of soil mix to use). Or you can use a big enough bowl to fill halfway with soil and then add water until it’s full.
If you’re using soil, be careful not to pack it too tightly around the root ball of your plant.
A good rule of thumb is to leave room for the roots to grow around.
If you’re using a big enough dish, submerge your plant in the water until just its stem is visible, then push it down a bit to ensure good contact with the soil.
Add enough water so that it’s about 2 inches deep for most plants and up to 4 inches deep for large plants.
Dig up the whole plant as if it were a bulb. Remove the entire root ball, and make sure that any soil you remove is returned to the planting medium.
Place the plant in its new spot, lop off any shoots that extend perpendicularly from its base, add even more of your selected soil mix around it, and water until moist.
Lop offshoots that extend perpendicularly from the plant’s base. Add even more of your selected soil mix around it and water until moist.
What Are the Signs That Plants Need Repotting?
Plants need repotting when they have become too large for their pot. This is the time to divide the plant and repot it in a larger pot.
You can tell that plants need repotting if they are growing out of their pots or if they are not getting enough water because the pot is too small.
You can tell that plants need repotting if they have dead leaves and edges. You can tell that plants need repotting by looking at the roots.
You can tell that plants need repotting if their roots are growing out of the bottom of the pot or if the roots are extremely crowded in the pot.
You can tell that plants need repotting if water is pooling around the bottom of their pots and overflowing out of their drainage holes.
How Often Should You Repot House Plants?
There are many factors that can affect how often you should repot your house plant, including the size of the plant and the type of soil it’s in.
If you have a small pot and a small plant, then you may only need to repot them every 3–4 months.
However, if your plant is in a large pot and has grown significantly, then you might need to repot it every three months or so.
If your plant has grown too big for its pot and is spilling over the sides, then you’ll need to repot it.
This is a good time to also do any necessary pruning.
Which potting mix is the best for plants?
There are many different potting mixes to choose from on the market; however, these are some of the good ones we use all the time. The following is a list of the best potting mixes for plants.
1. Miracle-Gro Potting Mix
2. Dr. Earth Organic Potting Mix
3. FoxFarm Organic Potted Plant Soil
4. Earthgro Potting Soil Mix
5. Fafard’s All-Purpose Garden Soil Mix
Potting mix is an important part of the gardening process and helps your plants grow. It also helps to provide a good environment for the plants and to make sure that they will have enough water and nutrients.
As mentioned earlier, there are many types of potting mix available on the market today, but which one is the best?
Here are some factors that one should consider before deciding which potting mix to use:
Types of plants
Some plants require different types of soil than others.
For example, cacti need soil that has less organic material in it because they don’t need as much water as other plants.
Budget
Potting mixes can range in price from $5 to $10 per bag or from $2 to $4 per cubic foot.
The cheaper option may not be of as good quality, but it is definitely more cost-effective.
Potting mixes are easy to use and can be used with little to no instructions.
What Kind of Pot Should You Transfer the Plant Into?
It’s always a good idea to use the right pot for the right plant.
The pot you should use depends on what type of plant you’re growing.
If you’re unsure, consult a gardening expert in your area. However, a larger pot will encourage root growth and provide more room for the plant to spread out.
The size of a pot should be decided by how much space you have available.
For example, if you’re growing on an apartment balcony, a small pot may be sufficient because the plant’s growth potential is limited compared to one planted in a garden bed.
Also, if you’re growing on a small balcony, try to make your pot 1-2 feet in diameter. If you’re planting in a garden bed, the plant should be planted slightly deeper than it is tall.
Plants need full sun for the best results.
If you live somewhere with limited sunlight exposure, try growing succulents in containers or placing them outside in a sunny spot.
Some succulents can be moved indoors when the temperature gets too cold for them.
These plants are generally hardy to at least 6 degrees Fahrenheit, but some plants need more protection from frost during the winter months.