Repotting indoor plants: timing & instructions

Indoor plants bring nature into our homes and with the right care you can enjoy them for a long time. Among other things, it is important to repot the indoor plants regularly.

Repotting indoor plants is not that difficult. If you follow a few important tips, the green darlings will sprout again quickly and growth will be stimulated. Here we show you how to repot and when it is time to change the pot.

When should you repot indoor plants?

The best time to repot is in spring between February and April. Then the growing season begins and your indoor plants can immediately grow and sprout in the new substrate. It is also possible to repot indoor plants before winter. In special cases, for example in the case of a pest infestation, it can also be repotted at a different time of the year.

Key signs that it is time to repot:

• When the roots of the plant are already rising out of the pot or growing out of the drainage hole at the bottom.
• When white limescale and salt deposits bloom on the substrate surface.
• When the earth collapses and irrigation water simply rolls off the root ball, making it difficult to wet.
• When plant growth is inhibited or deficiency symptoms occur.

• If there is a pest infestation - especially pests in the substrate such as Sciarid gnats, but also pests like Springtailsthat can multiply uncontrollably.
• Newly purchased plants should always be repotted as soon as possible, as they are often sold in pots that are too small and soil that can only be kept for a short time.
• When the plant has formed many offshoots that can develop better with a little space and should therefore be separated.

tip: Caution is required, especially with plants that are sensitive to interference, such as citrus plants or the Violin fig. Since these plants react stressed to repotting, they should only be repotted infrequently. Even slow-growing plants such as cacti and other succulents rarely need a new pot.

Which soil is suitable for repotting indoor plants?

If you are wondering which soil is suitable when repotting indoor plants, that depends primarily on the plant itself. We give you a brief overview of which substrate is suitable for which group of plants:

Universal earth:
A universal soil can be used for all indoor plants that do not have any special requirements for their substrate. Universal soil is suitable, for example, for elephant ears, Lychee tree, Heart leaf flower, Flamingo flower and Window leaf, A leaf, Porcelain flower, Basket maranthe or Climbing philodendron.
A high-quality and environmentally friendly soil for your plants is ours, for example Plantura organic universal soil represent. Their pH, in the 6.1 to 6.9 range, is suitable for many indoor plants. It naturally contains all the important nutrients that plants need for a good start to growth.

Tip: Universal soil also usually forms the basis for substrate mixtures that you can produce for indoor plants with more specific requirements, for example Cactus soil.

Potting soil: A potting soil is usually like for flowering plants Cyclamen, Hyacinths, the Crown of fame, the Blood flower, Cylinder cleaner, Geraniums or hibiscus suitable. So if you have house plants that develop a special bloom and not only shine with green leaf decorations, it is best to use potting soil. Here, too, are high-quality substrates, such as ours Plantura organic potting soil, recommended. Potting soil usually contains a little more phosphate than universal soil and thus particularly encourages the plants to flower.

Succulent and cactus soil: Succulents and cacti like Aloe vera or Haworthia need a substrate that is well-drained and well-drained to prevent waterlogging. You can easily mix such a substrate yourself. The basis for this is universal soil, which should make up half of the mixture. There is also about 20% quartz sand. The rest is a mixture of pumice and expanded clay. This mixture is also ideal for cacti.

Palm soil: Palm trees like Gold fruit palm or Kentia palm also need a slightly more permeable substrate. Of course there are many different types of palm from different regions, which in turn have their own requirements. Basically, however, about a third of quartz sand should be added to the universal soil for better permeability. Because palms also love a slightly lower pH level, it is advisable to add some acidic soil.

Herb soil: For Mediterranean kitchen herbs on the balcony and window sill, it is best to use special herb soil. rosemary, thyme, lavender, Savory and marjoram regret permeable, nutrient-poor soil and taste more aromatic when they grow in it. A sustainable earth for your Mediterranean culinary herbs is ours, for example Plantura organic herb & seed compostthat works without peat and thus CO₂-reduced production.

Tip: Basil, parsley, chives, dill, mint, lovage and wild garlic need one nutrient-rich substrate - you will find what you need for healthy in a rich universal soil Need growth. Some plants, such as orchids or carnivores, need a very special substrate that is not so easy to mix yourself. The best thing to do here is to use a special soil that is precisely tailored to the needs of these groups of plants. In our articles you can find out about the substrate requirements of various indoor plants.

How big should the new pot be?

If there is still space between the root ball and the old pot, but there are other reasons for repotting, a larger pot is not necessary, just fresh substrate. Once the root of the pot is complete, the new pot should be a maximum of three sizes larger than the old one. Ideally, there is about 3 cm of space between the root ball and the edge of the new pot.

That Repotting bonsai is a special case as these should often remain small. After a root cut, they are then simply planted in their old pot or in a container that is only slightly larger.

Tip: If the new pot is too big, the plant has less grip and there is a lot of moist substrate around the roots, making it easier for root rot to occur.

Instructions: Repot indoor plants properly

How to properly repot your indoor plants, we have summarized here again in a short step-by-step guide:

1. If it is a poisonous or prickly houseplant, be sure to put on gloves before repotting. To repot large houseplant, you can carefully lay the plant on its side. Then repotting is easier.
2. First, check to see if the plant needs a larger pot. To do this, carefully lift the plant out of the container and assess the root ball.
3. Prepare the new pot by placing a layer of potsherds, pebbles, or expanded clay on the bottom of the pot. This way the water can drain off better.
   tip: If you place a fleece between the substrate and the drainage layer, everything remains neatly separated and you can reuse the drainage material.
4. Put a layer of substrate in the pot. At this point, a granular fertilizer can also be mixed in, which provides the plant with long-term nutrients.
5. Lift the plant out of its container and remove the old soil from the root ball as best you can. You can also gently loosen the roots with your fingers and trim off rotten roots. If the drainage hole is so deeply rooted that the plant can no longer be loosened, it is best to cut the pot open with scissors.
6. Now put the plant in the new pot and fill the edges with soil. Leave about 3 cm of space up to the edge of the pot so that the pot does not overflow when watering.
7. Now you can carefully tap the pot on the table a few times so that the soil is distributed in the spaces between. Then press the substrate lightly.
8. Finally, you should water the soil so that the substrate is nice and moist.
9. Cover the substrate surface with a layer of mulch in order to Mold formation on the earth to avoid and to prevent a sciarid gnat infestation.

Tip: Some plants can also be divided when repotting: To do this, carefully separate the plant at the root ball and then plant the two parts in two separate pots.

Care after repotting

Here are some things to keep in mind after repotting: Have one because of pest infestation or root rot Part of the roots removed during repotting, the above-ground parts of the plant should also be cut back slightly will. Otherwise it can happen that the roots cannot provide enough water for the plants.
After repotting, it is best not to place the plant in direct sunlight to avoid drought stress.

The fresh soil provides the houseplant with the necessary nutrients after repotting. Therefore, in the first two months it is only necessary to water regularly so that the root ball does not dry out. About eight months after repotting, you can put some fertilizer back into the substrate. The nutrient requirements differ depending on the plant group:

Green plant fertilizer: Plants that stand out mainly because of their foliage need green plant fertilizer that strengthens the leaves and roots. Our, for example, meets these requirements Plantura organic indoor and green plant fertilizersr. In addition to the important nutritional elements nitrogen and potassium, the microorganisms they contain also support the growth of your plant. This fertilizer is suitable, for example, for Monstera or Anthuriums.

Flowering plant fertilizer: Plants that develop flowers, such as Geraniums and amaryllis, require a different nutrient composition than green plants. Our Plantura organic flower & balcony plant fertilizer is particularly suitable for flowers and is 100% organic. And that benefits both your plants and the environment.

Mediteranean fertilizer: Mediterranean plants or citrus plants need a different combination of nutrients and often a lot of potassium and iron to develop their fruits. In special mediteranean fertilizers such as ours Plantura organic citrus & mediteranean fertilizer, these nutritional elements are contained in sufficient quantities. Our fertilizer also contains microorganisms that support vigorous root growth and stimulate it over the long term. It is suitable for all citrus plants, for example Lemon trees, but also Olive trees.

How often and how much you need to fertilize depends entirely on the plant. We give you some helpful tips on how to do this in our special article Fertilize indoor plants and what to watch out for.