Potting Plants

Sometimes putting your leafy friends into a new home can be a daunting task! Some wonder "will I kill it?", "what's the point, does it really need this?", "can I do this for the first time?" and the answer is YES! By following these steps this will give the best chance your plant has at flourishing and growing in a new home!

It's really not that hard, but the easy steps are needed in order for it to thrive in a new pot. Potential issues are: root rot from a pot too big, root constricting from a pot too small, roots not taking from dry dirt, or even the "shock" of being moved. These instructions should help curb most potential issues!

When to repot plants:

• Pale, sad and stopped growing
• Water runs immediately out without soaking in soil
• Top heavy plants
• Roots showing
• Coiled roots

• Trowel
• Gloves
• Scissors / or knife
• Potting soil - pick one specific to your plant needs. There are soils for bloomers, leafy friends, succulents, and cacti!
• Work space- this can get messy! Do this outside where you don't care about dirt or lay down plastic for easy cleanup.

Water Plant-

Lightly water the plant to help the roots and soil slide out easier from its current pot. If you pull when the roots are dry, there is the potential of breakage which would enhance the possibility of shock. Making the soil moist helps with a smoother transition.

Remove the plant-

Turn the pot on its side, about 35 degrees, and use the space between your index and thumb to support the base. The weight of the plant, with proper moisture, should be enough for it to slide from the pot and rest in your palm. DO NOT pull on the stem, you can gentle tap around the pot or use the knife/trowel to loosen the soil from the edges. If you break the main stems there is a chance the plant will die.

Pruning Roots-

Now that the roots are exposed inspect them. If the soil and roots are in good shape, do not disturb them too much. If rotten, shake off some excess but don't remove too much soil. If they are tightly coiled (from overgrowing in a small pot), use your fingers or the knife to lightly break open and spread out.

Clean pot-

Cleaning the pot with hot soapy water is an often missed step. Many new pots have insect larvae that will be a real pain in the future. A major plant enthusiasts enemy is the fungal gnat, because they are just absolutely annoying! A gnat can live for a week and lay 300 eggs. Over time they will eat the roots of your plant, but they can be a real indoor nuisance.

NOTE:

This is the perfect stage to drill a drainage hole if your pot does not have one. This just helps prevent root rot by allowing excess water to drain out. Most new pots have this, but if not you can add one yourself!

If your soil drains well skip the step of adding gravel to the bottom of the pot. Gravel is necessary to keep root rot away and a friend to succulents and cacti.

Put a small bit of soil at the base for your plant to sit on. You want the root ball about 1/2 inches below the rim of the pot. This prevents overflow from watering.

Place in the center and settle on the soil. Check the sides to verify if its centered and straight. If its crooked, it grows crooked! Then again, if you're going for that, its fine!

Water Plant-

Your leafy friend just went through a lot and really needs liquid help to establish its new home. Water until it runs out the bottom, signifying its definitely wet. Place it in your sink so its easier to cleanup and allow the water to just evenly moisten the soil.

This is a good step to mist the leaves as well as remove any dust from the foliage.

Settling-

Sometimes after the soil settles you realize you need more. That's completely normal and necessary to add soil to fill in some low spots.

Trim the plant-

Anything that broke or is dead needs to be removed. By removing it, this encourages your plant to grow and resources are not wasted on something that will not flourish.

It takes about a month for your plant to recover from the journey of one pot to another. During this time it is crucial that they are :

watered regularly

NOT fertilized (roots are delicate)

In a bright indirect sunlight spot (can burn at this stage).