Succulents are generally lower-maintenance plants, but they still require a little extra TLC from time to time. Besides proper sunlight, water, and soil, paying attention to when your succulent might need to be repotted is essential.
What are the signs that it’s time to repot a succulent?
And how should you go about doing just that?
The process is more straightforward than you might think! Continue reading for our quick and easy guide to repotting succulents.
When to Repot Succulents
How do you know that it’s time to repot your succulent? Once you learn to recognize the signs, it’s quite easy. Here are a few things to look out for:
1. The Succulent is Too Big
- If your succulent appears to be outgrowing its current pot, it is likely time to transfer it to a larger one. It’s essential to keep an eye on this, especially when it comes to taller succulents, because they can quickly become top-heavy if the base is not large enough to support the plant’s growth.
2. It’s Been Awhile
- If it’s been a year or so and you’ve never changed the soil or repotted your succulent, it’s time to do so. Over time succulents drain the soil of nutrients, so even if they don’t appear too big for their pots, it could still be time for a repotting.
3. You’ve Overwatered Your Succulent
- If you accidentally overwatered your succulent (it happens!) and you find that the soil is not drying out, you may need to repot the plant into dryer soil to save it.
4. The Soil is All Wrong
- Sometimes, when you first purchase a succulent, you’ll find that it was not planted in the correct soil. If this is the case, it’s important to repot the succulent right away. If you need some advice on the best type of soil for your succulent, check out our recent blog post about the subject here.
5. You See Roots
- If you’re seeing succulent roots come out of the original pot’s drain holes or the plan itself seems to be showing signs of stress, it’s definitely time to transfer the succulent to a larger pot.
How to Repot Succulents
Now that you know when to repot your succulent, let’s take a look at how to do just that. Here’s a quick guide on how to repot succulents:
1. Select a New Pot
- You’ll need a larger pot than your current one, but what else should you look for in a pot? Be sure to select one with proper draining holes - if it doesn’t, the soil can quickly become overwatered, leading to root rot and eventually damaging the succulent.
2. Prepare the New Pot
- Prep the new pot by placing a small stone or clay shard over the hole at the bottom to help promote better drainage. Next, add proper succulent potting soil to the pot and fill it about ¾ of the way full.
3. Carefully Remove the Succulent
- Very carefully, grasp the succulent plant by its base and wiggle it just slightly until it loosens from the soil. Once loose, you’ll be able to remove the succulent easily from the original pot, but be sure to keep an eye on the roots as you don’t want them to pull away from the plant. When the succulent is out of the pot, give it a gentle shake to free the old soil from the roots before officially transferring it to the new pot.
4. Gently Place the Succulent in Its New Home
- Place the succulent on top of the soil in the new pot, then fill in the gaps with additional soil, so the roots are fully covered. Gently pat down the soil around the succulent to ensure it is securely anchored in the new soil.
5. Create an Environment for the Succulent to Thrive
- Once you’ve finished repotting the succulent, you’ll want to ensure it has the proper environment to thrive. For example, if the soil is dry, don’t forget to water the succulent after repotting. Additionally, make sure the new pot is in a location that receives adequate sunlight during the day but also isn’t drafty.
Don’t Let the Idea of Repotting a Succulent Intimidate You
Repotting succulents doesn’t have to be intimidating - or even time-consuming. Be sure to keep an eye out for the signs that it’s time to repot, and when it’s time, follow these simple steps to ensure a smooth transition. Your succulent plant will thank you!