---
title: "When I repot my plants do I need to remove the old dirt first? I…"
description: "When I repot my plants do I need to remove the old dirt first? I haven’t been doing this for fear of disturbing the roots. I have been putting them in a new,…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/64c79b7ea78ad94dcb2bbcc5"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "SisaLis"
published: "2023-07-31T11:31:10.102Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/everythingHousePlants.jpg"
---

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# When I repot my plants do I need to remove the old dirt first? I…

_Posted by SisaLis on 2023-07-31_

When I repot my plants do I need to remove the old dirt first? I haven’t been doing this for fear of disturbing the roots. I have been putting them in a new, slightly larger, pot with their old dirt and then adding a little bit of new dirt. Am I doing this wrong?

## 4 comments

### Brandon \& Michelle commented on 2023-07-31

My personal experience has been to always go bare root with my alocasia’s and anthuriums to give them fresh mixes to grow in and they always react positively

### SisaLis commented on 2023-07-31

Glad to know I’m not doing it entirely wrong. Thank you!

### Danika commented on 2023-07-31

Yes to Everything everyone said above. I mostly feel like the general answer is somewhere between the two things. Loosing soil around roots as much as you can without total disruption or breakage can benefit and aerate the roots since roots need oxygen to breathe and after a while the soil becomes too compact. So unless A B C above, gently somewhat loosen and give new soil. If impossible without breaking roots, and no issues, just backfill around existing.

### Mr Plant Guy commented on 2023-07-31

If you go on YouTube or TikTok and search PlantsWithKrystal Repotting she has lots of advice that works

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