9 Blunders to avoid when repotting a plant

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Are you making any of these repotting mistakes?

Adding houseplants to your home can be a wonderful way to bring the outside inside. However, if your attempts to keep them alive are failing, you may be repotting a plant incorrectly if you are experiencing these issues.

Although repotting a plant may seem straightforward, one error could “shock” or even kill your plant. Transplant shock is the term for what happens when a plant exhibits symptoms of discomfort following its uprooting and transplanting into a new pot. Common indicators to watch out for are wilting, yellowing or dropping leaves, root damage, and an obvious lack of new development.

To guarantee a plant has a long and healthy life, it is crucial to know how to repot a plant properly. Additionally, you should avoid trying to save a dying plant before it’s too late!

Therefore, while repotting a plant, steer clear of these nine frequent blunders if you want happy and healthy houseplants.

1. Choosing the wrong soil

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Never repot houseplants using the same soil you used for the garden, even if it may seem tempting to do so. Using the incorrect soil might lead to the growth of germs or fungi that could harm or even kill your plants.

For indoor plants, always use high-quality potting soil or compost. Compost or potting soil, as opposed to gardening dirt, has the nutrients your plant needs to flourish. Additionally, the combination of pine bark and peat moss is perfect for holding moisture. For houseplants, perlite in particular works best since it facilitates easier drainage and lowers the possibility of waterlogging and root rot.

2. Using the wrong-sized pot

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Plants that are overgrown in their pots are another popular repot error. Although some people might believe that a larger container would provide the plant enough room to develop more quickly, some plants will actually grow more slowly in larger pots.

Additionally, there’s a chance of overwatering, which weakens and makes the roots susceptible to rot once the extra soil retains too much water. It is always advised by experts to use a pot that is 1 to 2 inches deeper and 2-4 inches bigger in diameter than the plant’s existing pot.

Since they let in more oxygen, clay, terracotta, or ceramic pots are typically the ideal materials for pots.  On the other hand, because plastic is non-porous, it tends to keep less moisture and oxygen in the plant.

3. Pot without drainage holes

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After we have our lovely pots, we frequently neglect to add drainage holes to the bottom. These holes are necessary to promote adequate air circulation, enable efficient water drainage from the soil, and remove salts from the soil.

Drill a couple holes at the base of the pot if it doesn’t already have any. After that, set the pot on a drip tray to catch any extra moisture. To ensure that it doesn’t stay in it for too long, just make sure to empty it after watering.

Before adding soil, another technique to improve drainage is to cover the bottom of the pot with a layer of rocks or stones. Once more, this will retain extra water until the plant absorbs it through its roots.

4. Overwatering plants

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Although it may seem that houseplants require a lot of water to thrive, this can really have the opposite effect. This could also be the cause of your plants’ abrupt wilting if you’ve been providing them water.

Wet soil can inhibit airflow around the roots, which can promote the growth of bacteria and fungi that can cause root rot and ultimately kill your plant. Never overwater when the top layer of soil is still moist, as a general rule of thumb. To find the moisture content of the soil, you may either use your finger to test the lower soil levels or get a soil moisture meter like this XLUX Soil Moisture Sensor Meter.

In any case, always check the plant care labels for guidance on how often to water them.

5. …or underwatering plants

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Similarly, another mistake is to water it insufficiently or just when it begins to wilt. Your plant won’t have all the nutrients it needs to thrive healthily if it doesn’t receive enough water. Furthermore, the soil will eventually get compacted after being exposed to prolonged dryness, which will make it more difficult for water to adequately reach the roots. Furthermore, watering wilting plants will undoubtedly help them, but by the time they start to exhibit indications of shock, it may be too late. 

Experts advise watering from the bottom in severe situations so that the earth may absorb as much rainfall as possible. This guarantees that there are no dry patches and that the roots are totally submerged.

6. Confusing ‘low light’ with ‘no light’

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Even when a plant is categorised as “low light,” it doesn’t necessarily mean it needs light to survive. Your houseplants will most likely perish if they are kept in a dimly lit room or corner. Plants still require plenty of light to develop and thrive.

Try to relocate these plants out of direct sunlight and into a brighter area of the space. Generally speaking, low light plants need at least 1000 lux (or 100 foot-candles) of light on an average day. This is enough light to keep them going longer and in good health.

7. Plants placed in direct sun

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Similarly, a typical repotting error is to leave houseplants in direct sunshine throughout the midday. While most plants can tolerate one or two hours in direct sunshine, leaving them in the midday or afternoon sun for extended periods of time might harm their leaves irreversibly.

Alternatively, allow plants to receive enough light by leaving them in the soft morning sun for no more than two hours. It’s preferable to keep them completely out of direct sunlight throughout the hot summer months.

8. Overfertilizing plants

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Another crucial component of caring for plants is fertiliser. Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, applying more won’t result in faster growth.

In fact, because too much fertiliser adds extra salt to the soil, it may burn the plant instead of helping it develop. It is usually advised to apply fertiliser sparingly and in accordance with the package’s care recommendations. Additionally, experts advise applying fertiliser at half strength to healthy and flourishing plants and at full strength only when necessary to give them a boost.

9. Repotting too soon

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Repotting is not necessary for every plant, therefore it’s crucial to delay repotting. A plant will literally be shocked into wilting or dying if you repot it when it is not essential.

Repotting is usually indicated when the roots start to push the plant upward and through the drainage holes, nearly out of the pot. Wilting and stunted development are two further indicators that your plant might need to be reported. Therefore, it might be time to repot your plant if you observe that it is developing considerably more slowly than usual!