How to repot
When a plant starts running out of root space, you might notice smaller leaves, stalled growth, or soil that dries out way too fast. Repotting is the perfect opportunity to fix that. By providing fresh soil and a bit more room, you give your plant what it needs to keep growing happy and full.
Is it time to repot?
Signs your plant needs repotting
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 and the number of leaves
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 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
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 falling soil.
Keep your soil, pot, and any tools you might need close by.Remove the pot
Gently slide the plant out of its pot. Avoid pulling hard on the stems or leaves. It might help to tilt the plant on its side and pull the pot off the root ball.
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 nursery pot.
Tap the sides of the 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, break ceramic pots or cut plastic ones to free the roots safely.
Choose the new pot
Pick a pot about a quarter wider in diameter (a 25% increase). For smaller plants, this typically means a 1- to 2-inch (2.5 - 5 cm) upgrade.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, pressing down gently to secure the plant. Tap the sides of the pot to help the soil settle without packing it down too tightly. Try not to plant it deeper than it was in its previous pot.Water
Water until excess 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 a little extra soil if necessary.
Additional tips
Pot size
If in doubt, err on the smaller side when picking a new pot. Stepping up just one pot size at a time is also a safe bet. Repotting more frequently in small increments is better than jumping to a massive pot all at once.
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.
(Self-watering pots and semi-hydroponic setups are exceptions to this rule)
Protect longer vines
If your plant has long vines, before you start, gently gather the vines together and loosely drape them over the top of the plant, or lightly tie them with a soft string. This keeps them out of your way and prevents them from getting crushed or snapped while you work.
Moss poles and supports
If you are using a moss pole or trellis, place it into the empty pot first, then position the plant's roots around it. Avoid stabbing a pole into the soil after the plant is already potted if you can, as this can crush the root system.
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 dries out the tender roots. Keep a spray bottle handy to mist exposed roots if you need extra time during the repotting process.
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-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, especially if the roots were untangled, pruned, or accidentally damaged in the process.
To help your plant bounce back quickly and avoid potential harm afterwards:
Keep a closer eye on the soil moisture level. Root disturbance can temporarily slow down how much water the plant drinks. Be prepared to snooze watering tasks in the app if the soil is still too wet.
Do not add plant food right away. Fresh soil already has nutrients, and adding extra fertilizer can burn sensitive or stressed roots. 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 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 faster. If you live in a place with dark winters, avoid repotting in fall and winter unless strictly necessary.
Should I repot a new plant immediately after bringing it home?
It’s best to hold off on repotting for at least 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.
What should I do if my decorative pot does not have drainage holes?Â
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 watering much harder to manage. Over time, that gravel layer can still fill up with water, drastically increasing the risk of overwatering and root rot. On the flip side, you might end up underwatering your plant out of fear of pooling water at the bottom.
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.
What should I think about if I need to change the soil?
Replacing old soil with fresh soil carries some risk of repotting stress, but it is sometimes still necessary, especially if the nursery soil the plant comes with is too dense and moisture-retentive, or if it has decomposed and compacted over time.
If the root ball is dense and the old soil is rather stuck, try gently rinsing the root ball in water. This helps dislodge stubborn soil with less damage. Work carefully, as the finest roots can be brittle, and keep in mind that you don't need to strip away every last bit. It is better to leave a little old soil behind than to break healthy roots trying to get them completely clean. If the root ball hasn't expanded much after removing the old soil, you can reuse the same pot with a fresh mix.
To prevent soil from compacting over time, use soil amendments that increase porosity in the mix. When choosing between multiple suitable soil types listed for the plant in the app, we recommend picking ones that include coarse amendments like these.