Do I Need to Repot My New Houseplant?

Most of our plants can live in the pots they come in for a very long time. But with time, the plants can outgrow their pots, the soil can get compacted, and the pot can lose some soil with each watering.

It's best to repot your houseplant as it becomes rootbound.

Most of our favorite houseplants grow larger with time. We see leaves and stems increase, but it's harder to notice the roots unless we take the plant out of its pot. Houseplants do best -- and grow fastest and healthiest -- when repotted before they become rootbound. Follow these guidelines when it comes to repotting your houseplants.

Let Your Plant Acclimate

Though you might be tempted to give your plant new digs right away, but it's best to wait at least two or three weeks after getting your new plant. This is especially true if you purchased it online and had it shipped. The reason for this is that you don't want to add acclimation stress on top of transplanting stress.

You Don't Have to Repot Right Away

If your plant isn't roobound, you don't need to repot (unless you'd like to). You'll know your plant is rootbound when you pull it out of the pot and see a tight mass of roots circling the inside of the container.

Pick a Similarly Sized Pot

When repotting, it's best to choose a container that's only a couple of inches larger than the pot you're changing it out from. If you select a pot that's substantially bigger, all the extra potting mix can hold too much moisture and cause root rot or other watering issues.

Get more tips for repotting your houseplant.