How to repot your basil

Fast-growing basil needs regular pot upgrades to support a strong root system and continuous leaf production. Upgrading its pot now and then prevents the plant from becoming rootbound and keeps your fresh herb supply steady.

Is it time to repot your basil?

Signs your plant needs repotting

• Roots are poking through the bottom drainage holes, or you see a network of pale roots wrapping around the outside of the root ball when you unpot the plant

• The plant is now big and top heavy in a small pot

• The soil dries out quicker than usual

Signs to hold off on repotting

• Soil falls apart easily when you check the root ball

• Soil stays moist for a long time after watering

• Roots look dark, shriveled, mushy or moldy, and the plant shows other signs of stress. Pause repotting and visit Dr. Planta (stethoscope icon 🩺) in the app to diagnose the problem first

Recommended soil types for basil

For healthy growth, basil needs a loose, well-draining potting mix rich in organic matter. Avoid heavy or dense soils, which trap excess water and quickly cause root rot.

Recommended soil types

This is how you repot your basil

1. Prep your space, materials and equipment
   Avoid direct sunlight. If you're working indoors, lay down a repotting mat, some old newspaper, or a flattened plastic bag to catch any falling soil.
   
   Keep your soil, pot, and any tools you might need close by so everything is within reach.
   

2. Remove the pot
   Avoid pulling hard on the plant. It can help to tilt the pot on its side and pull the pot off the root ball rather than lifting the plant straight up, especially for larger plants.
   If the root ball is stuck in the pot, we have some tips:

   • Gently squeeze or press the sides if it’s in a flexible pot.

   • Run a dull knife or similar tool along the inner edge of the pot to release the roots.

   • If the rim is narrower than the body, you might have to break ceramic pots or cut thin plastic ones open to free the roots safely.
     

3. Choose the new pot
   Pick a pot that is about a quarter to a third wider in diameter (a 25 - 30% increase). For smaller plants, this typically means a 1- to 3-inch (2.5 - 7.5 cm) upgrade.
   

4. Add soil to the bottom
   Pour a bottom layer of fresh soil into the new pot. Set the plant inside. The top of the root ball should sit slightly below the rim.
   

5. Center the plant
   Check that it is centered and positioned as you want it before adding more soil.
   

6. Fill with soil
   Add soil around the root ball and tap the sides of the pot to help soil settle without packing it too tightly. Do not plant it deeper than it was in its previous pot.
   

7. Water
   Water until a bit of water drains from the bottom holes.
   

8. Top off soil
   Watering can cause the soil to settle. Check the soil level after the first few waterings, and add extra soil if necessary.

Additional tips

Pot size

If you are unsure, pick the smaller option. Stepping up just 1 - 2 inches (2.5 - 5 cm) in diameter at a time keeps soil moisture balanced and prevents root rot. Frequent, smaller repotting steps are safer than moving directly to a massive container. Though vigorous, fast-growing herbs can usually handle a bigger jump.

Pot drainage

The pot holding the plant needs at least one bottom drainage hole to allow excess water to pass through freely when you water it.

Clean reused pots

Wash plastic or glazed ceramic containers with soap and water before reusing them. Removing old soil residue eliminates potential hidden pests that could otherwise transfer to your plant.

Protect exposed roots

Open air can dry out the roots. Keep a spray bottle handy to mist exposed roots if you need extra time during repotting.

Where to repot

Try to repot your plant in the environment it is used to. If your plant lives indoors, repot it inside to protect it from sudden shifts in temperature, wind, or light. You can repot an indoor plant outside in a sheltered location as long as the outdoor temperature is close to your indoor temperature, and you move the plant back inside shortly after you’re done.

After repotting

Repotting can be a stressful event for basil, especially if the roots were untangled, pruned, or accidentally damaged in the process. It can take about a month for a plant to recover and start thriving in its new pot.

To help your plant bounce back quickly and avoid potential harm:

• Keep the plant in a bright area but protected from direct sunlight for about a week. If it previously received direct sunlight, gradually increase the exposure over a week when moving it back again.

• Keep a closer eye on the soil moisture level. Root disturbance and a pot upgrade can temporarily slow down how long it takes for the soil to dry. Be prepared to snooze watering tasks for a few days in the app if the soil is still too wet at some point.

• Do not add plant food right away. Fresh soil already has nutrients, and adding extra fertilizer can burn sensitive or stressed roots. Planta will automatically pause feeding tasks for a safe period after a repotting task has been completed.

Frequently asked questions

My basil hasn't filled its pot with roots yet, but it lacks nutrients. Should I repot?

No. Repotting gives roots more physical room to grow, improves moisture retention, or replaces compacted soil. Repotting it too early purely to supply nutrients is unnecessary and can trigger repotting stress or a higher risk of a watering imbalance. If your plant is hungry, start feeding it fertilizer on a regular schedule instead.

When is the best time of year to repot?

Spring and early summer are generally the best times because the plant is actively growing and will settle into its new pot much faster. If you live in a place with dark winters, avoid repotting at other times of the year.

What should I do if my decorative pot does not have drainage holes? 

It is completely fine to keep your indoor plant in a plastic nursery pot with drainage holes and place it inside a decorative pot without holes. The key is ensuring the pot holding the soil can drain properly. Using a decorative cachepot or saucer makes it easy to lift up the inner pot and empty any collected runoff water after you finish watering your plant.

Just keep in mind that if the plant is outdoors, both pots need drainage holes. Otherwise, rainwater can collect inside and drown the roots.

Can I plant in a pot without drainage holes if I put rocks or gravel at the bottom instead?

We don't recommend doing this because it makes proper watering much harder. Over time, the gravel layer can still fill with excess water, significantly increasing the risk of overwatering and root rot. These plants are rather prone to getting these problems.

I have a dying plant. Will repotting it save it?

Not necessarily. While repotting can be one of the necessary steps for certain issues, in many cases it adds unnecessary stress to an already struggling plant rather than helping it. We suggest diagnosing your plant using Dr. Planta (stethoscope icon 🩺) in the app before taking action.