Usually, as the weather starts to warm and spring starts to emerge, we all start to wonder "should I be repotting my houseplants?" The short answer is; it depends! Some plants need consistent repotting to stay healthy, whereas other houseplants actually prefer having a bit of a snug fit in their houseplant pot. If you ask Google "how often do I need to repot my plants?" you'll find out that most recommend every 12-18 months. We, on the other hand, are pretty lazy gardeners, and prefer to look out for these tell tale signs that my plant needs to change home. We hope they help!
Your houseplant is showing signs that it is rootbound
Generally, the term "rootbound" means that the roots are tightly wrapped together, and there is very little room for soil. When a pot is rootbound, it finds it harder to keep moisture, nutrients and beneficial organic material in the pot, and will start to suffer. If you're noticing roots peeking out from the drainage holes at the bottom of your pot, or even sticking out of the top of the soil, it could be a sign that your plant is rootbound. You could even test the topsoil in your plant; if it's hard, and almost impossible to stick your finger into the top inch of soil, it means the pot is full to the brim with roots, and it's time for a repot.
Water is pooling at the top of your houseplant soil
Stay observant when you're watering your houseplants. When you give houseplants a drink, the water should absorb into the soil and distribute through the houseplant pot. It should take a few seconds after pouring water into the top of the pot, for it to drain from the bottom. If you notice that, instead, water is pooling at the top of your soil and not soaking in, it could be a sign that the soil is hydrophobic (it repels moisture) or that the compacted roots are so dense that they are not allowing water to penetrate. Either way, your plant isn’t getting the hydration it needs!
Your houseplants have yellowing leaves or stunted growth
If you've been noticing that your houseplants are continuing to look a bit sad, you might want to consider repotting your plant. Look out for yellow leaves or growth that seems to have hit a standstill. BUT, it's important to first try a couple of other solutions before repotting the plant. Try shifting your watering regime, moving your plant to a spot with more bright, indirect light and feeding it with Support Pellets and Grow Concentrate. If growth still isn't happening, and the yellowing leaves continue, it's a sign your houseplant needs to be repotted.
Your houseplant is top heavy, or keeps falling over
Sometimes, your houseplant has been going from strength to strength, and just needs a bigger home to help it continue living its best life. When your plant is top heavy, it can easily tip over, especially if the roots don’t have enough support. In this case, a larger pot will help it stay stable and safe in the home, and help it continue flourishing like you want it to. Rubber plants, fiddle leaf figs and indoor trees like yucca plants can often become top heavy because they have dense foliage and waxier leaves.
Your soil dries out very quickly
Good soil acts as a foundation for your plant. In nature, soil holds vital microbes, fungi, organic nutrients and micrnutrients; it's like a community of beneficial organisms that work with the plant's root system to give it everything it needs to grow big and strong. When you put a plant in a pot, it can quickly lose this rich, biodiverse ecosystem. A tell tale sign that this is the case is with water. If you soil is always dry, even if you frequently give your houseplant a drink, it can be a sign that your houseplants need more microbial support. Add Support Pellets and repot your plant with a good quality soil to give it the moisture retention and biodiversity it needs to thrive like it would in nature.