---
title: "I bought a croton from Lowe’s about 3 weeks ago and I just noticed…"
description: "I bought a croton from Lowe’s about 3 weeks ago and I just noticed roots are coming out from below. Should I repot?"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/4HIz6xZlX0VW2TK1uED4Yt"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Claudia"
published: "2026-08-23T20:47:51.278159Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mOEdEmw0vk6YhXz_V4mxYlI97cQ2a8llsLOKnZ2zToA/kLZ_ZANQSZWSwZzOS_XfIQ.webp?size=large"
---

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# I bought a croton from Lowe’s about 3 weeks ago and I just noticed…

_Posted by Claudia on 2026-08-23_

I bought a croton from Lowe’s about 3 weeks ago and I just noticed roots are coming out from below. Should I repot?

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mOEdEmw0vk6YhXz_V4mxYlI97cQ2a8llsLOKnZ2zToA/kLZ_ZANQSZWSwZzOS_XfIQ.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mOEdEmw0vk6YhXz_V4mxYlI97cQ2a8llsLOKnZ2zToA/Cis1oLXeSOGa1Ox64DqaMg.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### JR commented on 2026-08-23

I’d repot just to get better soil in there. Then once you pull it out and see what the roots are doing you can decide if you need the same size pot or one size larger

#### Claudia replied on 2026-08-23

And you would repot if the roots look the same on the inside than how they look from below, correct?

#### Karzdan replied on 2026-08-24

Haha. Yeah, the soil from those stores are terrible. I'd give it a few weeks before repotting though. It's already being shocked going from the store to your home and repotting will shock it even more. Maybe pull the plant out of the pot to get a look at it. If you see black/brown mushy roots, repot ASAP, if they look healthy (like what you see sticking out) then no rush. You can then trim those roots off now if you want.

### JR commented on 2026-08-23

I would go up a size if the roots are really thick. And it almost seems like there is more root than soil.  
We are at the end of summer here and days are getting shorter. Don’t want your plant to try and be filling roots with shorter days if you can avoid it. It could prob wait till spring to go up a pot size

#### Claudia replied on 2026-08-23

Wonderful, thank you very much!

#### JR replied on 2026-08-23

I meant to say upsize if there is more root than soil. I did edit it but I think you read it before I got to it.  
You are welcome. Good luck

### LailianaGracie commented on 2026-08-23

omg yes immediately! thats what u call root bound, it slows down growth when the plant is too crowded in the pot. when you size up only go up in a couple inches in size, and a few inches deep depending on how much light it gets and when you wanna repot it again  
just be careful not to damage the roots!! also dont break up the dirt around them either, if it falls naturally thats fine just make sure you keep the same soil

#### Karzdan replied on 2026-08-24

Not always. Root bound is when the roots swirl around the pot. Some roots sticking out of holes is fine. What matters is ratio of roots to soil. And damaging roots are no big deal. In fact, you can trim them in half and keep the same pot size and the plant will be just fine. We trim roots for bonsai all the time

#### LailianaGracie replied on 2026-08-24

true true. i like to trim to roots of my fast growing plants sometimes for that reason

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