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!

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!

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.

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.

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!)

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!

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!

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.

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.

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!

Cheers!

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