How to Repot a Plant Without Killing It

Repotting looks scary the first time, but it is a simple job if you go slow and do not rush.

When to repot

You should repot when you see roots coming out of the bottom drainage hole, or when the plant looks too big for its pot. Most plants need repotting once every one to two years.

Step by step

• Choose a new pot only one size bigger than the current one. Do not jump to a much bigger pot, it holds too much water and the roots can rot.
• Water the plant a day before repotting. This makes it easier to remove from the old pot.
• Turn the pot on its side and gently pull the plant out by the base, not the leaves.
• Loosen the roots a little with your fingers if they are tightly wrapped in a circle.
• Add some fresh soil to the bottom of the new pot, place the plant in the middle, then fill around it with more soil.
• Water well after repotting, then keep the plant in shade for a few days before moving it back to its normal spot.

Do not repot and feed with fertilizer on the same day. Wait about two weeks before you start feeding again, so the roots have time to settle.