How to repot your carnivorous plant
Most carnivorous plants do not have very vigorous root growth, but they can still need a pot upgrade or new fresh potting mix.
Is it time to repot?
Signs your plant needs repotting
Many roots are growing out of the bottom drainage holes
When you slide the plant out from its pot, you see a network of roots wrapping around the outside of the root ball
The plant has grown bigger and the pot starts to look small in comparison to the size of the plant
The potting media has aged, broken down, and become much more dense than when you first planted the plant in it
Signs to hold off on repotting
Soil falls apart easily when you check the root ball
Soil stays wet 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
This is how you repot your plant
Prep your space, materials and equipment
Keep your substrate, pot, and any tools you might need ready and close by.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.
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.
Choose the new pot
Pick a slightly bigger pot.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.Center the plant
Check that it is centered and positioned as you want it before adding more soil.Fill with soil
Add soil around the root ball and gently press with your fingers to secure the plant.
Tap the sides of the pot to help soil settle without packing it too tightly. Make sure not to plant it deeper than it was in its previous pot.Water
Water until a bit of water drains from the bottom holes.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
Refreshing potting media
If your plant has aged, compacted soil but is not root-bound, you only need to change the potting media. You can gently rinse the root ball in water (ideally rainwater or distilled water) to help dislodge the old, degraded soil from the roots. Once clean, replant it in the same container using a fresh mix. Upgrading to a larger pot is not always necessary if the plant doesn’t have a lot of root volume.
Pot type
While plastic pots are the standard choice, most containers work as long as they do not leach minerals into the soil. Avoid unglazed terracotta or clay pots, as they leach mineral salts into the medium and dry out soil too quickly. Because bog-dwelling carnivorous plants are extremely sensitive to mineral buildup around their roots, stick to plastic, porcelain or stoneware pots.
Clean reused pots
Wash plastic or glazed ceramic containers with soap and water before reusing them. Removing old soil residue reduces the risk of potential hidden pests that could otherwise transfer to your plant.
Where to repot
Try to repot your carnivorous 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-grown 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 your plant, especially if the roots get untangled, pruned, or accidentally damaged in the process.
To help your plant bounce back quickly, and avoid potential harm:
Keep the plant in a slightly less sunny location for a few days.
Do not feed the traps right away. The app will automatically pause feeding tasks for a safe period after a repotting task has been completed.
Frequently asked questions
My plant hasn't filled its pot with roots yet, but it lacks nutrients. Should I repot?
No. Repotting causes unnecessary stress and will not solve a nutrient issue. Carnivorous plant soil must remain nutrient-poor, so fresh potting media will not provide nutrients anyway.
Never use nutrient-rich soil or standard fertilizer on the roots. High mineral levels cause root burn and will quickly kill the plant. Carnivorous plants absorb nutrients through their traps, not their roots. If kept outdoors, the plant will often catch its own bugs. If kept indoors, feed insects or other suitable food directly to the traps rather than fertilizing the soil.
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 faster. If you live in a place with dark winters, avoid repotting in fall or winter unless strictly necessary.
Should I repot my new plant immediately after bringing it home?
It’s best to hold off on repotting for a week or two. The plant will benefit from adjusting to the light, humidity and temperature of its new home before facing the stress of repotting.
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.