How to repot a houseplant: A foolproof method for giving your beloved plant a new lease of life

Is your plant looking rather squished in its starter pot? It's probably time you gave your leafy friend a new more spacious home, and we've got some expert tips and tricks to make the whole ordeal as easy as can be. 

Leaving your houseplant in a too-small pot is one of the most common houseplant mistakes you should avoid, it can lead to a rather unwell plant. Knowing how to repot is just as important as knowing how to clean plant leaves, While neither of these tasks might seem crucial they make a big difference to your plant's health and ability to grow. 

So if you want to help your plant continue to thrive, here's a foolproof repotting method that will have you wondering why you didn't do it sooner. 

How to repot a houseplant

Repotting your plants may not be as pressing as how often you should water your indoor plants but it certainly will make all the difference in the long run. Especially if you're relying on the best fragrant house plants to make your house smell good. 

Speaking to Miracle Gro's gardening guru Kate Turner, she stresses the importance of repotting. She says, "Just like garden plants, houseplants need re-potting, moving into a bigger pot as their roots get too big for their current one."

So with that in mind, here's the expert-recommended method for upgrading your plant's home and here's what you'll need...

• A new, larger pot
• Potting mix
• Grit (optional)
• Spade
• Water
• Gardening gloves (optional)

1. Pick out the new pot and compost

First things first, you need to pick out the right pot and potting mix for your plant, and there are a few conditions to consider before you make the purchase. 

"Only ever repot into the same size pot (if you are cutting back the root ball) or one or two pot sizes up," recommends Kelly Dyer, Plant Doctor and Lead Horticulturalist at Patch Plants.

2. Remove your plant from its current pot

Once your new pot is ready and filled two-thirds up with potting mix, it's time to remove your plant from its old outgrown pot. It's important to be gentle here, after all, you're dealing with one of the best indoor plants for your health and well-being, and you don't want an unnecessary casualty. 

"Position your plant in the centre of the pot so that you can backfill soil evenly around the root ball. And so that it looks good!" says Kelly.

3. Examine your plant for any disease

Between its removal and the repotting, it's a good time to have a look at your plant and see if there are any signs of distress or disease. Even the easiest houseplants to keep alive can pick up root rot, destructive pests or mould. 

Jane Dobbs, Lead gardener at Allan's Gardeners, says it's best to find this before you replant it into fresh soil, and if the issue goes unresolved, these sorts of problems can lead to mould growing on the top of your plant's soil, amongst other things. 

4. Place your plant in its new pot

Now that it's been checked over and you've got your new filled pot at the ready, it's time to make the switch. 

"Repot your plant to the same soil level that it was at before. You don’t want exposed roots. In most cases, this will mean putting a layer of soil at the bottom of your new pot to get the plant to sit at the right height," says Kelly.

"As you’re backfilling fresh soil around your plant, gently press down around the outside of the rootball. This ensures that it’s sturdy, but also that there is contact between the soil and roots. Don’t press the soil down so hard that you compact it; this will cause drainage problems.

Also, give it a few taps around the sides and on the table, so that any air pockets below the soil surface are filled. If you find that your soil level drops a lot as a result of this, top it up," she explains. 

Once you've done this, Kelly recommends leaving a 2cm gap between the soil level and the top of your pot, so you have some room to water it. Should the plant be potted to the very brim, any water will run off before your plants even have the chance to absorb it. 

All that's left to do now is water the soil until it runs through the holes at the bottom of the pot, then let it drain and pop it back in its usual spot. Just remember not to over-water your plants, or you might soon be asking why your monstera is turning yellow. 

How often on average do plants need repotting? 

Whilst knowing how to care for an orchid is completely different from how to care for a peace lily, there are some similarities when it comes to how often you should be repotting. 

"As a general rule, it’s good practice to repot every 3 years minimum. Spring is best, mid-March/early April. As the light levels are increasing and the air temperature is warming up, your plant will be getting back into active growth after its period of dormancy or rest over Winter. This means it will have the whole of Spring through to Autumn to put on new roots and shoots," explains Kelly. 

Whether you're surrounded by cacti or plants that help with condensation, knowing how to properly care for them, no matter what the species, will make you a successful plant parent. And in doing so, you can bring positive energy into your home with your thriving leafy friends in their new, generous pots.