How to Repot Your Houseplants - Best Practices for Healthy Growth

Learning how to repot houseplants is an essential skill for plant lovers. Asides from seeing beautiful plumes of plant foliage come to life, sometimes there is nothing more satisfying than watching the water drain correctly through the soil, knowing that the roots are comfortable in their space, the soil is aerated, and your plant is extracting exactly the right amount of nutrients that it needs. 

Repotting isn’t just about moving a plant to a bigger pot when it looks like it needs to have a bigger home, it’s about refreshing the soil and giving your plant the space it needs to grow which prevents root problems occurring. So mastering repotting can dramatically improve plant health and boost growth, but with all that said, sometimes repotting can be tricky to grasp so this guide will walk you through the necessary steps to ensure your repotting efforts are successful. 

When to repot your houseplants

Timing is the first factor to consider. Most indoor plants need repotting every 1–2 years, but the timing matters as you don’t want to place unnecessary stress on the plant. Spring and early summer are the best seasons, since plants are in active growth and can recover faster. 

Here are some common tell-tale signs that will signal when it’s time to repot your houseplant:

• Roots growing through drainage holes 

• Root-bound plants - when you can see the roots circling into a tight mass once you’ve removed the plant from its pot for inspection
  

• Water running straight through the soil 

• Mineral build up on the surface of the soil - a white crusty residue will appear on the top later of the soil but is not to be mistaken with mold, which will feel soft to the touch
  

• Slowed or stunted growth during the growing season

• Compacted soil that doesn’t absorb water well

• Drooping, curling or showing other signs of needing water soon after watering - not a good soil to root ratio so the soil isn't holding enough water for the plant to take up.

• Being too top heavy and falling/tipping
  
  

Repotting when you see these signs helps avoid root rot and ensures your plant has access to fresh nutrients.

Choosing the right pot

The right size pot is crucial because the roots need enough space to grow but equally you don’t want the plant to be sitting in a lot of soil as that can lead to root if too much water is retained.

It’s best to follow this rule of thumb when picking the right pot: 

Pick a pot that is only 1-2 inches wider than the current one. This will minimise the amount of shock the plant experiences and will prevent overwatering issues. Make sure there is adequate drainage – either choose a pot with drainage holes or ‘stage’ your plants in their nursery pots within a decorative pot. And do always check that the nursery pot has drainage holes. 

Which material is best and why?

If you prefer to pot your houseplant directly into its pot then terracotta is a firm favourite because they allow the soil to drain quickly which helps the plants to breathe. Alternatively, ceramic and porcelain pots are a beautiful alternative offering a greater range of designs to suit various tastes whilst remaining breathable. Plants like succulents and cacti hate sitting in damp soil so a terracotta pot is a great option for them, whereas tropical plants are better suited to glazed ceramic pots. Plastic pots are also suitable as long as there is adequate drainage as plastic does not allow plants to breathe naturally. 

Picking the right soil for your indoor plants

A fresh soil mix is key to healthy root growth so use the best soil for indoor plants based on their type:

• General houseplants: Indoor potting soil most commonly including perlite for best drainage

• Succulents & cacti: A course, gritty mix which allows for fast drainage

• Ferns & Calatheas: Rich mix with moisture-retentive materials

• Orchids: Course bark-like material that allows for excellent drainage 

• Epiphytic and drainage loving tropicals (monstera, anthurium, alocasia, philodendron): Aroid mix, typically including high levels of material like chunky bark, cocoa husk and charcoal.
  
  

It’s best to avoid garden compost which is too dense and can bring pests inside, so always look for soil that is labelled suitable for indoor plants. 

How to repot your houseplant

1. You may choose to water your plant a few hours before repotting to make removal easier, however this advisory first step has split the houseplant community with some preferring to keep the soil dry, so trial and error could be your best route!
   
   

2. Gently squeeze the plastic pot to loosen roots and prevent them catching, then remove the plant from its pot making sure to support the root core.
   
   

3. Loosen roots that are tightly circling, gently pull them so they’re hanging downwards and then trim away any dead or mushy ones.
   
   

4. Add a small amount of fresh soil to the bottom of the new pot
   
   

5. Gently place the plant into the pot so the crown sits a few cm below the lip of the pot but be careful not to bury the crown. You want to avoid the soil sitting in line with the pot lip as this will make watering much harder.
   
   

6. Carefully fill the new pot with soil and gently press but make sure not to compact the soil. Gently potting your pot on the work surface will help move the soil down to any free space without compacting the soil.
   
   

7. Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom
   
   

Helping your plant adjust and settle after repotting

Your houseplant will likely need a short recovery period after repotting. During this period, allow the soil to dry before next watering and keep your plant in bright but indirect light for a week so it can adjust. Always wait 4–6 weeks minimum before using fertiliser as the fresh soil will already include vital nutrients. Sometimes when plants become stressed they’re leaves might droop but this is normal when a plant is repotted and it is best to avoid the temptation to over water it. 

Repotting is one of the most powerful ways to keep your plants healthy. By using the best soil for houseplants, choosing the right pot size, and following proper technique, you’ll prevent root issues and encourage strong, vibrant growth.