How To Tell You Need To Repot A Plant

Houseplants are an asset in any home. You can easily move them to ensure they get enough light, and the pots bring color and design into the home. To ensure your potted plants thrive for years, they must periodically be transplanted into larger pots. To ensure you never wait too long to repot your plants, there are several warning signs you should know.

Signs you need to repot a plant include seeing roots above the soil or roots trying to escape the bottom of the pot. You can tilt and tug the plant to see if it it's root-bound. A top-heavy plant that keeps falling must be repotted as well. If the soil is always dry or takes forever to drain, your plant might require a larger pot.

A houseplant can become a permanent fixture in your home over time. As you water and tend to it, both indoors and outdoors, remember that part of maintaining potted plants is providing them with ample space and soil as they grow. To ensure you never kill your potted plants by neglecting their growing space, keep reading. Below is a list of ways you can tell it’s time to repot a plant.

Nine Signs That It’s Time To Repot A Plant

1. Roots Are Growing Outside The Pot

One of the most obvious signs a plant needs a new home is when the roots start growing out of the bottom of the pot. As soon as you see this, it’s time to get a larger pot. Lift the plant from time to time to check for exposed roots. Once you see exposed roots, it is usually a sign that the plant is struggling to find nutrients, and is trapped in a space too small for its current size.

2. Roots Above The Soil

Another sign it’s time to transfer your plant to a larger pot is when roots become visible above the soil. While it’s possible to see roots due to eroding soil and improper heavy watering, any time you notice naked roots, you should take notice. If roots are visible above the surface, it’s almost always a good time to repot, since the pot is not large enough, and there's not enough soil to support the plant.

3. No Growth Or Flowers

Another potential warning sign that your plant’s pot is too small is when it stops growing. Some plants reach a maximum height and size, but if your plant appears stunted or is not growing to its maximum potential, then the pot and lack of nutrients are likely to blame. If it's no longer flowering (or never flowered), take a closer look at the pot. Stunted growth and a lack of flowers are signs that your potted plant is struggling, and the pot size is likely to blame. Transfer your plant to a larger pot so it can grow faster.

4. Discolored Or Weak Leaves

Potted plants can struggle for various reasons, from a lack of sunlight to incorrect watering. If you feel like you’re doing everything right, but your plant still has discolored or weak leaves, then it might be time to transfer the plant to a larger pot. Discolored leaves are often a sign your plant is struggling to survive, and it won’t get healthier without intervention.

5. The Plant Is Completely Rooted In The Pot

The most obvious visual sign that you must repot your plant is when it is completely rooted within the pot. In addition to noticing roots on the top or bottom of the pot, you can also test to see if your plant is rooted. Tilt the pot to the side and tug slightly at the plant. If the entire plant pulls out easily with a pot full of roots, immediately transplant it to a much larger pot to ensure its survival.

6. The Soil Is Always Dry

When a potted plant contains more roots than soil, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep the soil moist. Whether there is a lack of soil or poor water retention due to increased roots, constantly dry soil is a strong indicator that you need to repot your plant.

7. Dropping Leaves, Or Looks Like It’s Dying

It’s perfectly normal for plants to shed leaves from time to time. If your plant is shedding more leaves than it’s retaining, then this is a cause for concern. Constantly falling leaves can indicate several problems, including that your plant needs more soil and a larger pot. If your plant looks like it’s starting to die, see if it is rooted and transplant it to a larger pot with nutrient-rich soil. You should notice an improvement within a few days.

8. It’s Top Heavy And Falling Over

If you have a plant that’s grown so tall or heavy that it keeps tipping over, then you likely need to place it in a larger, heavier pot. A tipping plant can leave dirt everywhere, and each time your plant falls, you risk damaging it and other items in your home. When you notice a top-heavy plant, transfer it to a larger, heavier pot to prevent it from falling over.

9. Water Is Not Draining

If you water your potted plant and the water never drains, or it takes far too long to disappear from the surface, compacted roots are likely to blame. Once a plant is rooted, it's difficult for water to get through. This means your plant isn’t getting enough water. If you notice a drainage issue, check whether the plant is rooted, then transfer it to a larger pot to improve soil drainage.

Factors That Impact How Often You Must Repot A Plant

1. Type Of Plant

Different plant species require different growing conditions. Indoor trees and fruiting plants like vegetables grown in pots often require large pots with plenty of nutrient-rich soil. Other species can handle small pots, as they have shallow roots and don’t require much soil. Snake plants, ZZ plants, and other low-maintenance houseplants grow slowly and rarely require repotting.

2. Size Of The Original Pot 

Consider the original pot you used for your plant. If it was very small, and your plant has more than doubled in size, then there’s a strong possibility it needs a bigger pot. If you started with a very large pot, you might be able to keep the same pot and simply fertilize the soil to ensure the plant has all the nutrients it needs.

3. Plant’s Age

While some plants take many years to grow, others reach maturity within the first year, or even less. Many houseplants do the bulk of their growing in the first year. If your plant is more than a year old, and you have already transplanted it once, you might not need to worry about repotting it any time soon. If you haven’t repotted the plant since it was a seedling, there’s a strong possibility it will quickly outgrow its pot. 

4. Plant’s Behavior

Every plant is different. It’s always smart to closely monitor plants. Alarming changes, such as discolored or fallen leaves or stunted growth, are signs to investigate further. The best way to know if it’s time to repot a plant is to pay attention to its behavior.

Summing Up Ways You Can Tell You Need To Repot A Plant

If you have houseplants or potted plants outdoors, remember to repot them from time to time. While it’s not easy or even possible to set up a schedule, several signs indicate it’s time to repot. Roots above the soil or coming out of the bottom of the plant indicate it’s time to repot. If your plant is rooted, transplant it to a larger pot immediately. Discolored or falling leaves, water drainage issues, and constantly dry soil can also indicate a plant needs a bigger pot and more soil. If your plant is top-heavy and tipping over, place it in a larger, heavier pot to balance its weight.

Related Guides:

• What To Know Before Growing Houseplants
• Indoor Plant Care Checklist
• 12 Tiny Indoor Plants That Are Ideal For Small Spaces