Why do we need to repot?
There are many reasons why you should repot your plant. Often the number one reason is because your plant is root bound. But even then, it isn’t always clear-cut, as some plants, like fiddle leaf figs, actually quite like being root bound.
However, with limited space for your plant’s roots there are some issues that occur, such as: without the extra room the plant can’t expand further, which stunts its growth; there isn’t enough access to water and nutrients because crowded roots can’t efficiently absorb moisture; and, over time, the roots can become too tightly bound and this can lead to the decline of a plant. Another important reason to repot your plant is to improve the health of the soil – often old soil will get compacted and depleted, while fresh soil restores drainage, oxygen, and fertility. This nutrient degradation leaves plants “hungry.”
When should we repot?
The best time to repot your plant is in spring or summer when there is active growth present. Signs your plant is root bound include when the plant shows stress through yellowing leaves, slowed growth, and if the roots are visible through the drainage holes. You may also want to consider repotting your plant once every year to two years as a general rule. Lastly, if the medium that you’ve purchased your plant in doesn’t work for your gardening habits – for example, the soil is too porous and you have to water it too often – you may want to change the medium for something that does work for you.
Tips on repotting
Generally you want to upgrade your plant to only a slightly bigger pot than what it currently is- around 2-5cm larger in diameter. Upgrading the plant to a too big a pot can result in overwatering issues.
Apart from the size, choosing the right pot is also important to your watering habits. A terracotta pot will absorb more water and so you may need to water your plant more often whereas a plastic pot retains moisture and so you will likely have to water your plant less. This does of course also depend on your potting medium. Also, remember that your pot that you’ve selected should have drainage holes.
Potting mediums are important to consider when you are going to repot your plant. The more chunky/large the particles of your medium is, the quicker water will filtrate through it. Conversely, if you have a dense medium, the soil will retain the water more easily and you might have to consider watering the plant less.
To make your own aroid potting medium, consider using some of the following: LECA; Perlite; Vermiculite; bark chips and potting soil. The denser or more tightly packed the soil, the less you’ll have to water it.
If your plant is too difficult to take out of its pot during a repot, consider giving it some water to loosen up the soil around the roots.
If you’d like, you can consider adding a slow-release fertiliser or worm castings to the potting medium to boost growth.
Plants often sulk after repotting. Keep them out of direct sunlight for a few days and holding back on heavy fertilising right away. Don’t panic if the plant droops a little – it’s adjusting.