Repotting houseplants can be messy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.

A little tender love and care goes a long way when it comes to your indoor plants. After all, watching them grow means you’re doing a good job of keeping them healthy!

Every 12 to 18 months or so, your plant may be craving a bigger home. Repotting the right way ensures that your plant baby stays intact and gets the nutrients it needs. Here’s how to do it.

When should you repot houseplants?

The best time of year to repot is right before the growing season, so late winter or early spring. 

Signs it’s time to repot 

• Roots are pushing through the drainage holes
• Roots are pushing the plant up and out of its planter 
• The plant is top heavy and falling over
• The soil dries out fast or pulls away from the container sides
• The plant is growing more slowly or its leaves are turning yellow 

What you'll need 

• Your plant 
• New pot: Choose a pot that’s one size larger than the current pot (typically one to two inches bigger). We recommend picking one with drainage holes to prevent overwatering
• Potting mix 
• Lava rocks or similar 

How to repot your houseplant

1. Remove your plant from its current pot 

Turn your plant sideways and tap the bottom as you gently twist and pull it out of its pot. It’s easiest to hold onto the leaves or stems to do this.

2. Loosen the roots

Gently loosen the plant’s roots with your hands. If you’re working with a rootbound or over-grown plant, feel free to lightly prune the roots. 

3. Remove the old potting mix 

As your plant grows, it soaks up the nutrients in your potting soil, so this is a great time to give it a top up! Remove one-third or more of your soil and replace it with a fresh mix.

4. Add new potting mix

If your new pot doesn’t have drainage holes to prevent overwatering, this is when you’ll want to add a layer of lava rocks at the bottom of your pot. Then, pack in the new soil and pat it down to remove air pockets.

5. Re-plant your plant

Now is the time to place your plant into its new home. Secure it with more fresh soil. 
 

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