When Is The Right Time To Move Indoor Plants?

Repotting houseplants is an essential gardening task that provides more room for growth and prevents soil loss. It is generally recommended to repot plants every 12 to 18 months, but slow-growing plants like cacti may need every two to four years. Most houseplants prefer to be transplanted every two or three years in the next sized pot.

There are four rules for repotting general houseplants: once every year or every two years. Fertilizers added when replanting small houseplants should be replaced once a year, and fertilizers included in houseplant soil should lose their effectiveness. The best time to repot houseplants is during spring and summer when the plant is in active growth. Fall is also a good time for transplanting, but it should be done at least three to four weeks before bringing the plant indoors for winter.

Repotting is necessary when the plant begins drying out between waterings. Plants typically benefit from being repotted every 12 to 18 months, depending on how actively they are growing. Some slow-growing plants, like cacti, may call for repotting in the spring. The best time to repot indoor plants is just before the new growing season, either late winter or early spring. The best time to repot is during the plant’s active growth period, typically in spring. If you notice signs of root-bound conditions, repot the plant. For most tropical houseplants, it’s time to repot when roots begin peeking out of the drain holes at the bottom of the container.

Is repotting traumatic for plants?

Plants need to be repotted as they grow out of their containers, and incorrect transplants can cause repot plant stress, which can lead to dropped or yellowing leaves, failure to thrive, or plant wilting. Treatment during the transplant process can cause transplant shock, which can result in wilted leaves and other symptoms. The worst culprits are repotting at the wrong time, especially before blooming, and using different potting soil than the plant’s previous environment.

Other causes include placing the transplanted plant under different lighting conditions, leaving the roots exposed to air for extended periods, and using different potting soil than the plant’s previous environment. It takes time and care for a plant to heal from repotting stress.

What is the best time to transplant houseplants?

Plants should be repotted every 12 to 18 months, depending on their growth rate. Slow growers, like cacti, can live in the same pot for years but only need soil replenishment. The growing season, early spring through late summer, is the best time to repot plants, as they get the most out of additional space and fresh nutrients. If you notice signs of repotting, such as roots growing through drainage holes, the plant pushing up and out of the pot, slower growth, top-heavy plants, drier potting mix, larger foliage, noticeable salt and mineral build-up, or it’s been over a year since last repotted, it’s a good time to repot your plants. This helps ensure they receive the most out of additional space and fresh nutrients.

How cold is too cold for most houseplants?

When nighttime temperatures drop to around 50°F, it’s time to bring plants indoors as most houseplants are native to tropical areas and cannot tolerate freezing temperatures. Most indoor plants will suffer damage when temperatures drop to the mid to lower 40s°F, and nearly all will die if exposed to below freezing temperatures. Before bringing plants indoors, check for insects and rinse off foliage while still outside. Once inside, keep plants isolated from other plants for 3 to 4 weeks.

Common indoor plant pests like scale, mealybug, aphids, whitefly, ants, or cockroaches will be evident after a month or so indoors. Inspect and address any issues as soon as they are noticed to prevent infestations on other plants. Place plants back inside in bright, indirect light, as even the brightest indoor locations are a fraction of the light intensity of conditions in a shade or part-shade location outside.

What happens if you don’t repot houseplants?

Pot-bound plants can outgrow their pots, displacing potting mix and depriving them of water and nutrients. These plants may struggle to survive and may outgrow their pots in just a few months. Some vigorous plants may outgrow their pots in just a few months, so they may be moved into larger pots to accommodate their rapid growth. Or, plants may become pot-bound when they have been forgotten about for a few years, noticing only when they show signs of decline. They may have exhausted all available potting mix and nutrients, and their roots may fill the pot or grow out through drain holes around the base.

What plants should not be transplanted?

Some plants can be started as seeds in the garden or transplanted as seedlings. Root crops like carrots, beets, and radishes should be sown as seeds, while corn and beans should be planted as transplants. Some plants, like squash and cucumbers, can be planted either way. Direct seeding is beneficial for certain plants, such as corn, basil, lettuce, peas, spinach, zucchini, beans, melons, carrots, beets, and radishes. However, these plants have delicate roots systems that may not thrive in transplanting.

Direct sowing also offers the selection of seed varieties, but it comes with challenges such as exposure to elements like rain, wind, and drought, as well as weed pressure. After direct seeding and germination, it is important to thin seedlings to ensure adequate space for growth. Too close plants can compete for nutrients, light, and water, and diseases can arise when spacing is too tight.

Transplant establishment allows for succession planting, growing the same vegetable crops in the same garden space in a season, and increasing harvest. Plants that thrive best being transplanted include celery, eggplants, collards, kale, broccoli, kohlrabi, leeks, onion, peppers, scallions, Brussels sprouts, tomatillo, and tomato. Transplants can help avoid the introduction of weeds into the garden, but they can be easily pulled by hand.

Before planting transplants, it is essential to harden them off by exposing them to outdoor conditions over a week. Transplants grown in controlled environments need gradual exposure to cooler temperatures, wind, and direct sunlight to avoid transplant shock.

How do I know if my houseplant needs repotting?

Repotting plants is necessary when they dry out between waterings, top-heavy plants fall over, produce small leaves with little new growth, or if a salty crust is seen on the soil surface. Repotting is best in late winter, when natural light levels increase and plants are awakening from winter doldrums. Most plants grow as large as their root system allows, so larger pots lead to larger root masses and larger plants. However, large plants require more room inside the home and are more difficult to move outside during summer.

It is generally okay to let some plants get rootbound, as it keeps them smaller and easier to manage. Pot size should be gradually increased, starting with small pots and gradually increasing as the plant grows.

Should you remove old soil when repotting?

Repotting and potting up are not the same, as repotting involves removing old potting mix and is best done before or after the growing season (early Spring and late Autumn). Potting up is less drastic and involves shifting a plant, old potting mix, and all to a new pot size with little to no damage or disruption to the roots. It can be done any time of year, but it is best to avoid the middle of winter unless necessary. When space is available, repotting and repotting can be done all year round. This guide provides a step-by-step guide on how to pot up and repot plants.

How long should I wait before repotting a new plant?

Repotting houseplants is best during active growth, which occurs from April through August in Iowa. After this time, plants go dormant and should be avoided unless they show signs of being severely rootbound. If a new houseplant is brought home, give it 3-5 days to adjust to its new environment before repotting. Overplanting is a common problem with houseplants, as it occurs when plants are repotted into containers that are too large, leaving a small root system in a large volume of potting soil.

Most plants prefer smaller containers and it’s okay for them to be a little rootbound. It’s recommended to sizing up no more than one size from the current pot, usually done in 2″ increments. Orchids may need a specialized container with large holes for extra air circulation around the roots.

Can I repot houseplants in summer?

It is recommended that houseplants be repotted between March and May, but only if necessary, and only into a pot of the next size. It is advisable to refrain from attempting this procedure at other times of the year. Furthermore, the use of compost should be limited to instances where it is truly necessary. It is advisable to refrain from accessing the bag of compost unless it is required.

Can I repot houseplants in winter?

Winter is an ideal time to repot houseplants as they grow and require larger containers for better soil nourishment. Overwintering can prevent root-bound plants from dying, which can be a concern for avid gardeners. Signs of plant needing repotting include roots on the surface of the pots, roots growing out of drainage holes at the bottom, slow growth, coiling roots around the outside of the pot, or spiraling roots around the rootball.

Repotting plants is recommended before the new growing season, as many indoor plants prefer it before the spring season. Meadows Farms and the Great Big Greenhouse stock pottery from around the globe, receiving early shipments in winter, allowing them to have a wide selection at its peak. Repotting plants in the winter allows gardeners to keep their thumbs green instead of frostbite.

What happens if you repot too soon?

When repotting a newly brought plant, it is important to allow it a few weeks to acclimate to their new environment. If the grow pot is not suitable, use cachepots. If you notice roots poking out from drainage holes or the top of the soil, it may indicate a rootbound plant. This is natural and expected, and catching it early on can prevent issues. Another sign is when the plant starts to lift out of the pot by the roots, which is more noticeable in plastic pots. Bulging the container or soil around the top can also indicate a problem, and some plants may even bust their way out of a container due to strong roots.