So you've decided that your houseplant requires a significant makeover– repotting. To be healthy, houseplants need to be repotted on a regular basis. In addition to understanding when to repot (spring is best), you must also know how to repot a houseplant to complete this chore successfully.

Repotting a Houseplant

When it comes time to repot your plant, a combination of plastic pots and peat-based compost should be used. Of course, this is dependent on the needs of the facility. To prevent the clay pot from drawing water out of the compost, soak it for a day before using it.

Pots come in a variety of sizes, but you only need four or five distinct sizes in most cases. The six-centimeter, eight-centimeter, thirteen-centimeter, eight-centimeter, eight-centimeter, eight-centimeter, eight-centimeter, eight-centimeter, eight-centimeter, eight-centimeter, Because this is your watering space, you should always allow enough space between the lip of the pot and the surface of the compost. Because larger pots carry larger plants, which require more water, it should grow with the size of your pot.

You'll have to top-dress the compost if one of your houseplants is in a large pot and can't be repotted. This means you'll need to get rid of the top 1 to 1 1/2 inches (2.5-4 cm) of old compost and replace it with new compost. Make sure not to damage the plant's roots, and leave a gap between the top of the compost and the lip of the pot to allow for easy watering.

Repotting Houseplants: Step-by-Step 

Following these simple houseplant repotting instructions makes repotting a houseplant a breeze:

• First, give the plant a good watering the day before you plan to repot it.

• Invert the pot by placing your fingers over the top of the root ball. Tap the rim of the pot against a hard surface, such as a table or counter. If the root ball is stubborn, use a knife to loosen the roots between the pot and the root ball.

• When repotting a houseplant into a clay pot, inspect the roots and remove the crock from the root ball's base. Tease the roots to get rid of them. It's possible that you'll need to use a thick label or sticker.

• After that, choose a clean pot that is a couple pot sizes larger than the one from which you just took the plant.

• Fill the pot's base with a solid, firm handful of fresh compost. In the center, place the root ball on top of that. Make sure the root ball's surface is below the rim so you can adequately cover it with compost. Place some fresh compost around and over the plant once you've got it in the right spot. Do not cram the compost too tightly into the container. You want the roots to be able to move around and grow.

• Finally, if you believe it's required, top with extra compost and firm it gently. Make sure to leave enough room on top to allow for watering. Place the plant in an area where it can drain easily and drip water onto it, filling the watering hole on top. Allow any surplus water to drain and place the pot in an appealing outer container to capture any remaining water. You won't need to water this plant again until the compost has dried up a little.

You can enjoy your houseplants for even longer now that you know how to repot them. New to owning plants? Check out our best Tips For First-Time Plant Owners!