How to Know When to Repot Houseplants—and Exactly How to Do It

Why Repot Your Houseplants?

1. Repotting gives roots more space to grow big and strong. As plants grow, their roots expand.
2. A bigger pot provides more room for the water and soil that houseplants need to thrive.
3. It’s also an excellent opportunity to refresh the old soil that has been depleted of nutrients over time.

How to Tell It’s Time to Repot a Houseplant

Here are four simple signs that your houseplant has outgrown its current home and needs to be repotted. Don’t wait until you see all four—any one of these is an indicator that repotting might be in your houseplant’s future.

1. Roots are growing out of the drainage holes.
2. You can’t push your fingers into the soil because there are too many roots in the way.
3. The soil dries out more quickly than the soil of other plants in similar conditions.
4. The plant has stopped growing or looks to be in poor health for no apparent reason.

5. 

When to Repot a Houseplant

The best time to repot a houseplant is while it’s actively growing, usually in the warmer months of the year (think spring and summer). 

This will allow the plant to recover more quickly and settle into its new space. (Want to learn more about the different stages of plant development? Check out this fascinating article on how a plant grows from the Oregon State University Extension Service.)

How to Choose the Right Pot for Repotting a Houseplant

While you want to give your plant a little more space, you don’t want to overdo it—putting it into an overly large pot makes it hard to get the right amount of water to the plant (and takes up more space on your windowsill!). 

The best method is to increase the pot size by 1 to 2 inches in diameter more than the current pot size. Also, ensure the new pot has drainage holes so the soil doesn’t stay overly moist when you water.

How to Repot a Houseplant

Now, it’s time to repot that houseplant! Just follow these 6 easy steps. (Pro tip: Water the plant lightly a few hours before repotting to make it easier to remove it from its current home.) 

1. Gather your materials. You’ll need:
   –A properly sized pot (see above)
   –Fresh, high-quality potting mix
   –Newspaper
   –Butter knife and fork
   –Garden shears
   –Watering can
2. Spread a newspaper on a tabletop or the floor to create a workspace that allows for easy cleanup.
3. To help loosen the plant, slide the blade of the butter knife around the space between the existing soil and the inside of the pot.
4. Tip the plant upside down and gently remove it from the pot. If roots are stuck in the drainage holes or the plant is rootbound (meaning the roots are growing in a circle around the inside of the pot), you’ll want to prune the roots. Gently tease the rootball apart using your fingers or a fork, then use sharp, clean shears to snip up to one-third of the rootball. (If the plant has become sizeable, consider dividing it into multiple plants—you’ll find the details in this article on propagating houseplants.)
5. Add some fresh potting mix to the new pot, put the plant in the pot, then fill in around the roots with more soil until the pot is full to an inch below the rim. Pat gently to firm the soil around the plant.
6. Water the plant to help it settle into its new home.

When to Feed a Repotted Plant

Since your houseplant needs time to adjust to its new pot—plus the new potting mix likely already contains plant food—wait a few weeks before feeding it. Once that time comes, get great tips for fertilizing houseplants right here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time of year is best for repotting?

Spring and summer are ideal because plants are actively growing. They recover faster and adjust more easily to new soil and a new pot during the warm months.

How big should the new pot be?

Choose a pot that’s just 1–2 inches larger in diameter than the current one. Oversized pots hold too much moisture and can lead to root rot.

Do I really need drainage holes in the new pot?

Yes! Proper drainage keeps soil from becoming waterlogged and helps maintain healthy roots.

What type of soil should I use?

Use a fresh, high-quality potting mix that matches your plant’s needs. Avoid using garden soil—it’s too dense for most houseplants.

Should I loosen or prune the roots when repotting?

 If the plant is rootbound (roots circling the pot), gently loosen the rootball. You can safely trim up to one-third of the roots with clean shears.

Is it okay to divide a plant while repotting?

Yes! If your plant has grown large enough to split into multiple sections, repotting time is perfect for propagation.

Should I water my plant before or after repotting?

Lightly water a few hours before repotting to help remove the plant from its pot. After repotting, water again to help settle the soil.

Can repotting shock my plant?

Mild stress is normal, but if you repot during active growth and follow proper steps, your plant should bounce back quickly.

 Do all houseplants need repotting?

Not always. Some slow-growing plants can stay in the same pot for years. Use growth and root health as your guide.

So it may just be time to say goodbye to your plants’ “starter homes.” Repotting is a simple way to provide your houseplants not just with new digs but with the space they need to continue to grow strong and flourish. 

For more tips on caring for houseplants, don’t hesitate to consult our Houseplant Care Guide.