We all love to see the plants we nurture grow from a sapling to a tree. This growth, however peaceful, leads to the eventual requirement of re-potting the indoor beauties. But more often than not, because one step went wrong, we end up hurting our indoor plant pots instead of helping them grow. This is why it is of the essence that we learn the right way to change the pot of our plants.
Let us first begin by knowing when should you change the pot of your plant.
- It is noticeable that the plant has outgrown its current pot.
- The roots of the plant are coming out of the small indoor plant pot.
- The plant has stopped growing or is having a slow growth
- The top portion of the soil has stained
- Water is running out too quickly from the plant.
If your indoor plant pots are facing any of these issues, it’s time for you to bring a change.
Now, here are some mistakes that you can avoid while re-potting your Indoor Plants.
Using an inappropriate size of the pot
We cannot stress this enough. A lot of us pot our plants in an over-sized pot thinking that the more space we give, the larger it will grow. But it’s vital to choose the size of the plant which fits them. For example, a 6-inch pot should be changed into a maximum of 8-inch pot and not beyond that. Ideally, you should choose the one with an inside diameter of 1-2 inches bigger than the current pot. This should give your plant’s roots enough space to grow and also avoid the problem of clogging. The problem of having a heap of compost over the top can also be avoided with this little tip. So next time you upgrade, don’t go for the fancy pots which do not fit. Choose the one with the right size and your plants will thank you.
Forgetting about drainage.
Another common mistake we see people making is adding up too much gravel at the end of the pot. This will only lead to a lack of oxygen for the plant and accelerate the rotting of the roots. Your primary focus should be to add your plant to a pot that has a proper drainage system. This can be ensured by the drainage holes at the end of the pot. We know, we all fancy those designer pots for plants but not all fancy pots will focus on the drainage aspect. To get this problem sorted, plant your pots in ordinary pots with proper holes and use the designer pot as a stockpot. This way you get the best of both worlds.
Choosing the Wrong Soil Type
Re-Potting mistake 101. Soil is the home of the plants, it’s where its roots lie. Hence, you should make sure to put the right kind of soil in your pots for better growth. For some plants, it is better to add coarse-textured soil that has large particles of drainage materials. In others, you will need to add absolutely fine-textured soil. The right kind of soil can help you overcome the problem of overwatering your plants. It will also ensure proper drainage and root development. Does this not sound like a dream? So make sure you do your research about the plant you are growing and while re-potting, choose the soil which best fits your plant’s needs.
Not trimming the roots
While this may be the part where most of us make mistakes, this will help you greatly in accelerating the growth of your plant. The roots of your plants are generally all coiled up together in a ball-like shape. This slows down the growth of your plant since the roots don’t get enough space to grow and expand. While changing the pots, we generally skip out on this process, because of the fear of messing up. But honestly, do open up the roots of your plants and trim their roots when you take them out. Tip: Cut down the parts which have coiled up at the bottom of your pot and that should be good to go.
Not setting the right environment
Finally, now you have uprooted, trimmed, and chosen the right pot and soil. The last and the most important tip is to set up your plant in the right environment where it can be nurtured. Water your plant and keep it away from direct sunlight for the first few weeks. Let the plant settle and create a healthy environment for itself. We generally make the mistake of placing it in direct sunlight and over watering the new plant. Just like humans, plants also need some time and space when displaced. So give it some time to let it come back to its natural routine and all your re-potting issues should vanish soon.
We hope these reminders help you avoid the problems you had been undergoing. Changing the pots is an exciting and important step. Do not fear away from it, just avoid the above mistakes and you will have a plant for life!
