How to Transplant Your Plants to Bigger Pots

If you’re like me, your house may be overflowing with plants. You can’t seem to stop yourself from buying new ones every time you go to the store, and before long, your windowsills and shelves are packed full. But sometimes your plants get too big for their pots, and you have to transplant them into bigger ones.

Whether you’re a green-thumbed gardening enthusiast or just starting out, transplanting your plants into larger pots is a great way to give them the extra space they need to grow. But if you’re not sure how to go about it, don’t worry – I’ve got you covered!

Fiddle leaf fig plant in a basket on a dining table.

Plants have my heart these days.

Because it is hotter than Hades outside and indoor plants will continue to thrive in our temperature-controlled house!

This was my first “real” plant.

I ordered this fiddle leaf fig plant two years ago when the pandemic started.

I think I was looking for a new hobby.

Making sourdough bread didn’t stick but growing plants did!

I even expanded into other varieties and figured out the easiest plants to grow.

Maybe, since plants are now one of my top decor items in the kitchen, it compensates for my poor sourdough baking skills!

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Oh, how I love when a new bud emerges!

A new bud on a fiddle leaf fig plant that is needing to be transplanted to a large pot.

This plant has grown…and grown…and grown!

And is in need of a new pot.

How to Know When to Repot?

For the indoor gardener, there are few things more frustrating than a plant that has outgrown its pot. You water and fertilize it dutifully, but it just keeps getting taller and leggier, constantly threatening to topple over.

Finally, you’ve reached your breaking point and you know it’s time to transplant your beloved fiddleleaf fig (or another plant) into a bigger pot.

But how can you be sure? (I know the struggle. Sometimes I resist a larger pant size!)

Here are a few telltale signs that it’s time to give your plants some extra room to grow:

  • The roots are visible at the surface of the soil or coming out of the drainage holes.
  • The plant is top-heavy and seems unstable in its pot.
  • The leaves are yellow or droopy, indicating that the plant is not getting enough water.
  • There is little or no new growth.
Roots growing through the bottom of a pot.
These roots have pushed through the grow pot. Time for a large pot!

If you see any of these signs, it’s time to repot your plants into a larger container. With a little extra room to spread out, they’ll soon be looking better than ever.

Begin by choosing a new pot that is about 2-3 inches wider than the current pot. Select a pot with drainage holes to help prevent root rot.

A plant in its original pot sitting next to a larger pot to which it will be transplanted.
From one home to another!

What Tools Do I Need to Re-pot?

I have a few tools that I really like when transplanting my plants.

A Deep Trowel Scoop – This is my favorite! It is a trowel, a scoop, and a weeder in one tool!

Martha Stewart Japanese Hori Knife – This cost me a little bit more than my usual garden tools but it is SO worth it! I use it all the time. Plus, the leather sleeve is just plain cool! (Be careful…it is a very sharp knife!)

A garden trowel, a Japanese Hori Knife, and pink gardening gloves.

Gardening Gloves – My friend, Wendy, at WMDesignHouse gave me these. She is a master gardener and told me these are the best. I believe her because they are!

Missy putting on pink gardening gloves.
Wendy knows I love pink!

For the indoor gardener, plants are like pets – they need food, water, and a little attention to thrive. But unlike animals, plants can outgrow their homes, becoming cramped and stunted in their pots. When this happens, it’s time to transplant them into a larger space.

Bentley actually has outgrown his bed…three times!

Our dog, Bentley, laying on the floor.

Let’s Transplant Those Plants!

The process is actually pretty simple:

-Gently remove the plant from its current pot. If you have trouble with the plant coming out of the old pot, place the pot and plant on its side and press down on the pot. This will help to loosen the plant.

-Loosen the roots. If the plant is really root-bound, you can use a knife to cut off the bottom of the soil ball. (This is where my cool Hori knife comes in!) Additionally, loosen the soil on the sides of the root ball.

Place the plant in the new pot and fill around it with fresh potting mix.

Water well and allow the plant to drain before putting it back in its original spot.

With a little care, your plants will continue to thrive – and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you gave them a little extra room to grow.

A newly transplanted plant in a basket by the window.

But, It’s Shocking!

For many indoor plants, the repotting process is a shock to the system. After all, they’ve spent their whole lives in one pot and suddenly they’re being moved to a new home.

It’s no wonder that some plants go into transplant shock and take a while to adjust to their new surroundings. But how long does this period of shock last?

For plants like fiddleleaf figs, it can take days or several weeks for them to recover from being transplanted. During this time, the plant may lose some leaves and look a bit wilted.

Add water. And with some tender loving care, your plant will soon bounce back and be better than ever.

So if you’re thinking of repotting your plants, don’t be discouraged if they go into a bit of shock afterward. With a little patience, they’ll be back to their old selves in no time.

Bentley standing guard next to three potted plants.
Bentley is guarding these plants in their new homes!

You did it!

You successfully transplanted your plant into a larger pot! Now, take a moment to bask in the glory of your accomplishment!

But don’t stop there – put your newfound skills to work and transplant some other plants into larger pots. Your home is going to be flourishing with all your gorgeous plants! So get out there and start transplanting!

Three fiddle leaf fig plants that have been transplanted to larger pots.

Cheers!

p.s. You can see this and many other great projects and recipes at the Homestead Blog Hop!

10 Comments

  1. I have been following you for about a year and I want to be you when I grow up! So inovative and creative. You obviously love your home and your followers and it comes thru in the many ways you inspire all of us. Thank you for sharing.

    Diane Pandolfi

    1. Oh, Diane! Your words mean everything to me! I started blogging because I love to share ideas about my home. The incredible bonus has been the opportunity to connect with readers like you! Thank you so much for following, reading, commenting, and just being an amazing person! Thank you, Diane!!! ~Missy

  2. It’s so funny Missy, as much as I love to garden outside, I don’t have a ton of plants inside. I am encouraged by your post and might try a few more. Thanks so much for all of the info.

    1. Well, since you are my role model for outdoor gardening, I take this as the highest compliment! Thank you!

    1. Oh, I’m so glad, Regina! I’m enjoying getting back to Link Parties. So many great ideas! Thanks for stopping by!

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