Repotting Houseplants Successfully- A Step By Step Guide 

Repotting a houseplant, when broken down into easy to do steps, becomes a simpler task.  Our First task is to gather the needed materials. Then with all the necessary materials at hand we can start repotting the houseplant.

Step 1

Remove the houseplant from the old pot.  You should have watered your houseplant 3 to 4 days prior to repotting so that the soil is moist but not wet.

Lay the plant on it's side and tap the outside of the pot to loosen the root ball from the sides of the pot.  Take hold of the plant just above the soil and pull gently to remove.  If it doesn't come out easily you may have to take a dull knife and run it around the inside of the pot between the pot and the root ball to free it.

Step 2

With the plant out of the pot you should gently shake the root ball to remove the loose, excess soil.  Unwind any roots circling the root ball and cut back the longest ones.  Be careful not to cut back too much or you will need to prune back some of the growth from the top of the plant.

If the roots are matted against the side of the root ball, gently pull them away so they will be encouraged to grow into the new soil you will put into the pot.

Step 3

Next place a piece of broken plant pot, small pebbles or screen over the drainage hole in the bottom of the pot you are repotting your houseplant into.  Place about an inch of fresh soil in the bottom of the new plant pot.

Step 4

Place the houseplant you are repotting into the new pot so that the soil level on the plant on the old pot is about 1 to 1.5 inches below the top of the new pot.  Gently spread the roots and add soil until the soil is about 1/2 inch to 1 inch below the top of the new pot.  This will leave room for the houseplant to be watered.

As you add the soil, press it down gently with your fingers and tap the pot down onto your working surface to settle the soil in around the roots.

Step 5

Once the soil is in, water the plant well.  If the soil you are using contains fertilizer, do not fertilize for the time specified.  If no fertilizer was used, do not fertilize for 1 month to give the plant a chance to adjust to it's new pot.  The fresh soil will contain all the nutrients the plant needs.

Repotting a houseplant will encourage new growth by refreshing it's soil and providing the roots more room to grow.  Healthy roots are the secret of a healthy plant.  If the roots become unhealthy the foliage and flowers will suffer.  Maintain the health and vigor of your houseplant by appropriate repotting.