One of the simplest ways you can ensure your new plants are healthy and growing strong is to pot them when they’ve outgrown their plastic nursery containers. If you’ve been nervous to pot houseplants you’ve recently purchased, or think it might be too late, don’t worry! Your plant can stay in its original container for weeks (and even months) before it’ll need a new home.
Just remember, plants thrive on the nutrients found in rich potting soil, in addition to soaking in light and water. It’s only natural that after some time, your plant will have benefited from much of the nutrients in the small amount of soil and will need to be re-potted. For plants still in their nursery pots, check for roots growing out of the drainage holes and up through the top of the soil. If so, it’s root bound and time to move your plant to a new pot! Here’s how:
1. Gently remove the plant from the current pot
Placing one had firmly at the base of the plant, turn it sideways and gently tap the bottom of the plastic pot. Then, squeeze carefully around the edges to loosen the soil and roots. Slowly pull the pot from the container being careful not to strain the stems.
2. Remove excess soil from the base and roots
This part can get tricky, so take your time and be gentle with the fragile roots. While still holding onto the base of your plant, use your other hand to massage the soil from around the roots. If your plant is root bound, these roots will most likely be large and winding, so you can uncurl them if needed. When most of the soil has been removed, your plant is ready to pot!
3. Secure the plant in the pot with fresh soil
This is the easy part! Before adding your plant to its new pot, put a small layer of soil at the bottom and pack it to remove any air pockets. Then center your plant in the pot and add soil until the roots are covered and the dirt is filled to just below the rim. Firmly, but gently, press the soil down around the base of the plant. Then give your newly potted houseplant a drink, watering until the soil is moist and water drips from the drainage hole.
You’re done! Now you know how to pot houseplants and can help them thrive in a bigger, healthier home. Have you been putting off potting? Or are you a pro? Tell me in the comments!
XO,
Micah