Repotting sounds intimidating, but it's one of the best things you can do for a plant that has outgrown its home. Here's how to tell when it's time, how to do it, and what to do if you'd rather we handle the mess.

Does your plant need repotting?

Look for these signs:

• Roots growing out of the drainage holes or circling the top of the soil
• Water runs straight through the pot, or the soil dries out within a day or two
• The plant is top-heavy and tips over easily
• Growth has slowed in spring or summer even with good light and care
• It's been two or more years in the same soil

Not every slow plant needs a bigger pot. Snake plants, hoyas and Christmas cactus actually prefer to be a little snug. If in doubt, gently slide the plant out of its pot and look: lots of white roots and very little soil means it's time.

When to repot

Spring and early summer are best, when plants are actively growing and recover quickly. In Victoria that's roughly March to July. You can repot in fall and winter if a plant is struggling (rotting roots, a cracked pot), but otherwise it's worth waiting.

Choosing the right pot

• Go up only 1–2 inches in diameter. A pot that's much bigger holds extra soil that stays wet, which is the most common cause of root rot after repotting.
• Drainage holes are a must. If you love a decorative planter without holes, keep the plant in its nursery pot and set it inside.
• Terracotta dries faster (great for succulents and over-waterers). Plastic and glazed ceramic hold moisture longer (good for ferns and calatheas).

Shop planters →

Choosing the right soil

Different plants want different mixes. Our in-store Soil Bar makes it easy:

• Tropical Mix: most leafy houseplants (pothos, calathea, ferns, peace lily)
• Chunky Monkey Mix: aroids and epiphytes (monstera, philodendron, anthurium, hoya)
• Arid Mix: cacti, succulents, snake plants

More detail in Soil Bar Mixes Explained.

How to repot, step by step

1. Water a day before. Slightly moist roots slide out more easily and handle the move better.
2. Prepare the new pot. Add a layer of fresh mix to the bottom so the plant will sit at the same height it did before.
3. Remove the plant. Squeeze the nursery pot or tip it on its side and ease the plant out by the base. Don't pull by the stems.
4. Loosen the roots. Gently tease out circling roots. Trim any that are black, mushy or smell bad.
5. Set it in and fill. Place the plant in the centre and fill around it with mix, firming lightly. Keep the top of the root ball at the same level as before. Don't bury the stem.
6. Water thoroughly until it runs out the bottom, then let it drain.

Aftercare

• Keep it in bright, indirect light (out of harsh sun) for a week or two.
• Hold off on fertilizer for 4–6 weeks while new roots settle in. Fresh mix has nutrients.
• A little drooping for a few days is normal. Don't overwater to compensate.

Let us do it for you

No balcony, no space, no desire to sweep up soil? Bring your plant to the shop and we'll repot it for you. The fee is $1 per inch of the current pot (a 4" pot is $4, a 10" pot is $10), plus soil and a new pot if you need them. Bring your own pot or choose one in store. We also repot anything you buy from us, which makes for an easy, ready-to-give gift.

See repotting fees → · 515 Chatham St #103, open 11–5, 7 days a week