Repotting your houseplants
Gently remove the plant from its pot by inverting the plant and tapping the pot to loosen a root bound plant. If it's really stuck, moisten the rootball a little to reduce root damage during repotting.
Examine the plant's root system to see how much it's overgrown and compacted. Amazing how much they grow!
Select a new pot that’s about 10-15% larger in height and width than the old one. If the pot's too large, a houseplant's roots may rot in wet soil before they grow enough to fill the space.
Fill the bottom of the new container with an inch or two of a quality soilless potting mix.
Make a custom-sized space for your plant by placing the empty old pot on top of the potting soil base in the center of the new pot. Check that both pot rims are at the same height.
Fill-in around the old pot with potting mix, making a hole for the new plant. Remove the old empty pot from the center and place your plant’s rootball in the cavity left by the old pot.
This method reduces the amount you need to handle the plant so it minimizes the damage you could cause to the roots, leaves and stems. Plus it helps you place the plant exactly where you want it.
Lastly, water gently and thoroughly to settle potting mix around plant roots. Add more potting soil as needed. DON'T pack the media or press down on the root system since this will compact the tiny air-spaces in the potting mix. Roots breathe so they thrive in loose soil with lots of air. So use a light touch.
