

Next, take a gander at the size of the plant relative to the size of the pot. If they’re too cramped, your plant’s health could suffer.


Your fave fern’s roots need room to stretch out and grow. Can you see them poking out the top? Are they creeping out the drain holes at the bottom? If you remove the plant from the pot, do you want to exclaim, “Wow! That’s a crazy number of roots!”? All these are signs that the plant is hitting a wall, literally and figuratively, in its current pot. How can you tell that a plant has outgrown its current container?įirst, check the roots. Way to go! A plant outgrowing its current home is one of the main reasons you’ll need to transfer it to fancy new digs. If you’re facing this problem, good news: your plant is thriving under your care. After all, if you put water-loving ferns in a soil designed for drought-tolerant succulents, your fronded friend might not get the moisture it needs to thrive. Pay attention to labels as you’re shopping, and be sure to read what type of plants the soil is recommended for. Some potting mixes are designed for plants that need well-drained soil while others are designed to retain water. If you have a problem plant and you think a repotting is in order, remember that not all potting mix is created equal. There are a host of plant illnesses that can be resolved via repotting ¾ root and crown rot, overfertilizing and overwatering, to name a few. If your hen-and-chicks plant looks like it tried crossing the road but didn’t make it to the other side, you might want to consider transplanting it into a new pot with fresh, clean soil. Repotting a plant that’s ready for a new home isn’t too difficult, but how do you know when it’s time to give your aloe or ivy plant a fresh start? Three Reasons to Repot a Houseplant 1. Many indoor plants are low maintenance, but unless your flowers are more plastic and silk than stems and petals, you’ll have to do some upkeep from time to time.
