How to Repot a Plant? When and How (Method)
It is best to repot in spring, when roots come out of the drainage hole or circle round the pot. Choose a pot 2 to 4 cm wider, add a drainage layer at the bottom and a suitable potting mix, gently take the plant out of its pot, untangle the roots, put the plant back and water. There is no need to repot every year: every 1 to 3 years is enough.
Repotting gives your plants back space and nutrients. Done well, it restarts their growth; done badly, it stresses them. Here is the complete method.
When should you repot a plant?
The telltale signs:
- Roots coming out of the drainage hole.
- The plant drying out too quickly after watering.
- Growth that stalls despite good care.
- Compacted potting mix or roots wound into a tight coil.
The best time is still spring, when growth restarts (see our care calendar).
Which pot and which substrate to choose?
Take a slightly bigger pot (2-4 cm more in diameter), with holes in the bottom. A pot that is too big holds too much water and encourages rot. As for the substrate, match it to the plant: free-draining for cacti, rich for foliage plants, bark-based for orchids.
How do you repot? (step by step)
- Add a drainage layer at the bottom (clay pebbles, zeolite) with a drainage filter.
- Gently take the plant out of its pot by tapping the sides of the pot.
- Untangle the roots and remove the old, spoiled potting mix.
- Put the plant back, fill in with fresh potting mix, firm lightly.
- Water to settle the roots back in.
A repotting mat keeps the work surface clean.
Should you water after repotting?
Yes, moderate watering helps the roots re-establish contact with the potting mix. After that, let the plant settle in soft light for a few days: a slight, temporary stress is normal.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a pot that is much too big.
- Forgetting drainage (hole + drainage layer).
- Repotting in the depths of winter, during dormancy.
- Packing the potting mix too firmly and suffocating the roots.
FAQ: repotting plants
How often should you repot a plant?
Generally every 1 to 3 years, depending on growth speed. Young plants are repotted more often than mature specimens.
Should you repot a plant you have just bought?
Not straight away: let it acclimatise for 2 to 3 weeks, unless the roots are already cramped.
What is the best time to repot?
Spring, when growth restarts, for a quick recovery.
- SOS Repotting Kit — everything you need in one place.
- 50×50 cm repotting mat — a clean work area.
- Zeolite & drainage filters — anti-rot.
- Wooden tool trio — for gentle handling.
Healthy plants, 100% natural, made in the Ardèche. 🌿