---
title: "Curious what others do with root bound houseplants? Do you \"slice…"
description: "Curious what others do with root bound houseplants? Do you \"slice down the sides\" of the root ball?"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/64a36e681fe4d402c34848f1"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "MeanJean"
published: "2023-07-04T00:57:12.814Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Nvhz6mHJ3QA1VGS9vmbJF0AC4C3SIQduyFHT5Vfbhv4/db18aea4e86441a88ed64b95dbbde375.webp?size=large"
---

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# Curious what others do with root bound houseplants? Do you "slice…

_Posted by MeanJean on 2023-07-04_

Curious what others do with root bound houseplants? Do you "slice down the sides" of the root ball?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/Nvhz6mHJ3QA1VGS9vmbJF0AC4C3SIQduyFHT5Vfbhv4/db18aea4e86441a88ed64b95dbbde375.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Penny L commented on 2023-07-04

I wash and separate them very carefully under the garden hose. You have to make sure the water has a little force—but not too much. I find the roots separate really easily and you can see exactly where to trim them if needed.

### Spam commented on 2023-07-04

I agree with Penny, rinse away any remaining soil really well and then trim away any dark brown/black or soggy looking roots, if any. If that still hasn’t gotten rid of enough roots to go back in it’s pot then trim off the bottom 1/4-1/3 of the root ball.

### Mon commented on 2023-07-04

I rinse and massage very gently.

### Roundshouse Plants commented on 2023-07-04

I rinse and massage. Sometimes I soak in a bucket or sink for a bit just to see what will loosen up in its own. And if there’s still some tough spots, I take a skewer or a chop stick and use it to poke a hole here and there for better airflow.

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