How do you repot a plant?

Posted on 26 March 2025
By Annelies
0

When you buy a plant from us and put it in a nice spot in your home, the intention is of course that you enjoy it for as long as possible. The plant must grow as well as possible and preferably be healthy. There are various ways to keep your plant as healthy as possible. One way to take good care of your plant is to repot it occasionally. Below I explain exactly how you can repot the plant.

Why should you repot the plant?

Healthy plants always grow!

That is why it is better to repot your favorite plant in time. So that the roots have the space to grow. If you repot your plant in time, it not only ensures that your plant can grow well. It also ensures healthy roots. When the pot becomes too small and the roots start to grow, the roots will grow into each other. If this continues for too long, the roots can suffocate and the plant can eventually die. Of course, we want to prevent this as much as possible.

Repotting plants has many benefits.

New potting soil is full of nutrients for your plant! A good potting soil keeps your plant healthy and provides your plant with the necessary nutrients to grow well. The right potting soil for your plant contains a perfect balance of nutrition, water and oxygen.

What is a good potting soil?

- Contains trace elements and fertilizers to feed your plant and stimulate growth.

- Is airy and absorbs water well.

- Retains nutrients well for your plant.

Give your plant space to grow

When the roots grow out of the pot, your plant needs a bigger pot. By repotting your plant, you give the roots of your plant room to grow and prevent suffocation. A larger pot also contains more potting soil, which means more water is retained.

When is the best time to repot?

A good start for your new plant begins with repotting. If you have just purchased your plant, it is always wise to wait 1 to 2 years before repotting the plant. This way you let the plant get used to its new location before you repot it.

After 2 years, the potting soil is no longer of the same quality. The nutrients have been used up and the old potting soil no longer has the ability to retain nutrients and water properly. To give the roots of your plant a healthy living environment again, place your plant in a pot with fresh potting soil. New potting soil not only contains new nutrients. The soil is also airy again and this ensures good drainage.

When is the best time to repot the plants?

What is very important when you repot your plant is that you do this in the spring (in March). This is the strongest period of the plant. If roots are damaged during repotting, the plant itself is strong enough to recover. As long as you do not repot the plant in the winter period. This is the rest period for the plants. During this period they have less strength to recover themselves if the roots are damaged.

How do you know when it's time to repot?

- If you think the plant is getting too big for the pot, you can easily check this. Pry the root ball of the plant out of the pot.

- When you see roots growing everywhere at the bottom of the root ball, it is time to repot. You will then see that the roots are trying to find a way in a space that is too small.

- You can also tell from the leaves of the plant that your plant does not have enough space. Then the leaves of your plant turn yellow, but are you still giving it enough food? Then there is a good chance that repotting your plant will solve this problem.

- Houseplants and patio plants should be repotted on average every 2 years, even if the plant is not too big for the pot. New potting soil is nice and airy again and is full of nutrients that your plant needs to stay healthy.

- Of course, you look at what each plant needs. Repot fast growers every year or when the roots grow out of the pot.

- Do you only give your plants tap water? It is then possible that lime and salt deposits will build up over time. It appears as a white deposit on top of the potting soil. Then it is also wise to renew the potting soil annually. Your plant does not need a larger pot.

What kind of pot should you repot in?

Once you have seen through the root ball that it is time to repot the plant, you can take the next step in the repotting process. When choosing a new pot, it is important that it is large enough. Always make sure that the new pot is “at least five centimeters larger” than the old pot. Also choose a pot with holes in the bottom. This ensures that the water can easily drain away and does not remain at the bottom of the pot. If water remains in the pot, the roots can rot and we do not want that.

Repotting in seven steps

Repotting sounds complicated, but it is actually very simple. If you provide a good base, it really can't go wrong. Follow the steps below and your plant will be happy again in no time.

1. Choose a suitable pot that is 5 centimetres larger and has drainage holes. This allows excess water to drain away and prevents root rot.

2. Remove the old potting soil between the roots and separate the roots that are entangled.

3. Place the root ball in the middle of the pot.

4. Fill the remaining space with potting soil up to a few centimetres below the edge of the pot.

5. Gently press the potting soil down.

6. Choose a nice decorative pot to put your plant in and give it a splash of lime-free water.

7. Place the plant in a nice spot in the house, so that it can enjoy its new spot to the fullest.

How to repot a very heavy or large plant

Repotting a very heavy or large plant is done in the same way as repotting a small or medium-sized plant. However, it is advisable to provide an extra pair of hands. Have someone hold the plant firmly over a cloth. Loosen as much soil as possible with your fingers and loosen the roots. Prune away any rotten roots with disinfected cutting pliers.