How to Repot a Houseplant: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Repotting is one of the most important skills for any plant parent. Done right it gives your plant room to grow and fresh nutrients. Done wrong, or at the wrong time it can stress your plant unnecessarily. This guide covers everything you need to know to repot like a pro.

When to Repot Your Houseplant

Signs Your Plant Needs Repotting

Look for these indicators that it's time for a bigger home. If you're unsure, see our full guide on recognizing when plants need repotting.

Root-related signs:

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Roots circling the surface of the soil
Plant lifts out of pot with roots filling the entire space
Roots visible pushing against pot sides

Growth-related signs:

Water runs straight through without absorbing
Soil dries out much faster than before
Plant stops growing despite good care
Plant is top-heavy and tips over
Plant has been in the same pot for 2+ years

Health-related signs:

Leaves yellowing despite proper care
Salt/mineral buildup on soil surface
Soil has broken down and compacted

When NOT to Repot

Avoid repotting in these situations:

During dormancy: Most plants rest in winter.
When stressed: Let sick plants recover first
While flowering: Wait until blooms finish
Right after purchase: Give plants 2-4 weeks to acclimate
Without clear need: Don't repot just for fun

Best Time of Year to Repot

Ideal: Early spring just before active growth begins

Acceptable: Spring through early summer

Avoid: Late fall and winter (plants are dormant)

Spring repotting gives plants the entire growing season to establish in their new pot before winter dormancy.

What You'll Need

Essential Supplies

New pot (1-2 inches larger in diameter)
Fresh potting mix appropriate for your plant
Trowel or large spoon
Watering can
Newspaper or drop cloth (for mess)
Scissors or pruning shears (for root trimming)

Optional but Helpful

Gloves
Pot drainage screen or coffee filter
Chopstick (for settling soil)
Bucket for mixing soil

Choosing the Right Pot

Size Matters

The golden rule: Go only 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot. For a deeper explanation, see our guide on choosing the right pot size.

Why not bigger?

Excess soil stays wet too long
Leads to root rot
Plant focuses on root growth not foliage
Looks disproportionate

Pot Material Options

Material	Pros	Cons	Best For
Terra cotta	Breathable, dries evenly, affordable	Heavy, breaks easily, dries fast	Succulents, cacti, overwatered-prone plants
Plastic	Lightweight, retains moisture, affordable	Not breathable, can look cheap	Humidity-loving plants, hanging plants
Ceramic	Decorative, heavy (stable), retains moisture	Expensive, can crack	Showpiece plants
Fiberglass	Lightweight, durable, looks like ceramic	Expensive	Large plants, outdoor use

Drainage Is Non-Negotiable

Every pot must have drainage holes. No exceptions. If you love a decorative pot without holes:

Use it as a cachepot (decorative cover)
Keep plant in a plastic nursery pot inside
Remove to water, let drain, return to decorative pot

Choosing the Right Soil

Different plants need different soil mixes. We break this down in detail in our guide to indoor plant soil.

Standard Houseplants

Most tropical houseplants do well with:

Quality indoor potting mix
Add perlite for extra drainage (20% mix)

Succulents and Cacti

Need fast-draining mix:

Commercial cactus/succulent mix
Or: 50% potting soil + 25% perlite + 25% coarse sand

Orchids

Need chunky, airy mix:

Orchid bark
Never use regular potting soil

African Violets

Need light, airy mix:

African violet mix
Or: potting soil + perlite + vermiculite

Avoid

Garden soil (too heavy, may contain pests)
Old, reused soil (nutrient-depleted)
Soil from outdoor areas

Step-by-Step Repotting Guide

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

Lay down newspaper or a drop cloth
Gather all supplies
Have water ready (room temperature)

Step 2: Water the Plant (Day Before)

Water your plant 1-2 days before repotting. Moist soil:

Holds together better
Releases from pot more easily
Reduces root stress
Makes the process cleaner

Step 3: Prepare the New Pot

If using terra cotta, soak in water for 10 minutes (prevents it from pulling moisture from soil)
Place drainage screen over holes (optional, prevents soil loss)
Add a layer of fresh soil to the bottom (1-2 inches depending on pot depth)

Step 4: Remove the Plant

Tip the pot sideways
Gently squeeze plastic pots to loosen
Support the plant at the base of the stem
Slide the plant out (tap pot bottom if stuck)
Never pull by the stem, you'll damage it

If the plant is stuck:

Run a knife around the inside edge
Lay pot on its side and roll, pressing gently
For extreme cases, cut or break the pot

Step 5: Examine and Prepare the Roots

Gently shake off old soil (remove 1/3 to 1/2)
Examine roots for problems. Healthy roots are white, tan, or light brown and feel firm. Rotted roots are black, mushy and smell bad, trim these off. Circling roots should be gently loosened or given vertical cuts.
Trim any dead, damaged, or excessively long roots
If root-bound, gently tease roots apart. For severely root-bound plants, follow our guide on repotting root-bound plants safely.

Step 6: Position the Plant

Place plant in center of new pot
Check height soil line should be same as before (about 1 inch below rim)
Add or remove base soil to achieve correct height

Step 7: Fill with Soil

Hold plant in place
Add soil around the sides
Use fingers or chopstick to gently work soil between roots
Don't pack too tightly roots need air
Fill to about 1 inch below pot rim
Gently tap pot on surface to settle soil

Step 8: Water Thoroughly

Water until it runs from drainage holes
This settles soil and eliminates air pockets
Add more soil if level drops significantly
Empty the saucer after draining

For proper watering technique after repotting, see How to Water Houseplants: The Beginner's Guide.

Step 9: Aftercare

Place in appropriate light (same as before)—see our indoor plant light guide for optimal placement
Avoid direct sunlight for first week (reduces stress)
Don't fertilize for 4-6 weeks (fresh soil has nutrients)
Monitor watering, new soil may hold moisture differently. Use our after repotting care checklist to avoid common mistakes.

What to Expect After Repotting

Normal Reactions

Slight wilting for 1-2 days
Slower growth initially (roots establishing)
Some leaf drop (especially if roots were trimmed)

Signs of Problems

Severe wilting that doesn't recover
Rapid yellowing of many leaves
Mushy stems (may indicate overwatering of stressed roots)

Recovery Timeline

Week 1: Plant adjusts, may look sad
Weeks 2-4: Normal growth resumes
Months 1-2: Plant fully established, new growth visible

Common Repotting Mistakes

1. Choosing a Pot Too Big

Excess soil stays wet too long, which leads to root rot. Learn how to spot it in our guide to overwatering signs. Stick to pots only 1-2 inches larger than the current one.

2. Using Wrong Soil

Different plants need different drainage. Succulents rot in moisture-retaining soil, while tropicals dry out too fast in sandy mixes. Research your plant's soil needs before repotting.

3. Repotting at Wrong Time

Repotting a stressed or dormant plant makes things worse. Wait until spring when plants are actively growing and can recover quickly.

4. Damaging Roots

Rough handling tears or breaks roots, slowing recovery. Be gentle, support the root ball and never yank the plant out by its stem.

5. Burying Too Deep

Planting the stem below the soil line invites rot. Keep the soil level consistent with the previous pot.

6. Not Watering After

Skipping the post-repotting water leaves air pockets around roots. Always water thoroughly to settle the soil and hydrate the roots.

7. Fertilizing Too Soon

Fresh potting soil already contains nutrients. Adding fertilizer on top can burn the roots. Wait 4-6 weeks before feeding.

Special Situations

Repotting Root-Bound Plants

If roots form a solid mass:

Soak in water for 30 minutes to loosen
Gently massage the root ball
Make 3-4 vertical cuts with a clean knife
Spread roots outward when planting

Repotting Large Plants

For big, heavy plants:

Get help, large plants are heavy
Lay the pot on its side
Slide plant out rather than lifting
Consider refreshing soil instead of full repotting

Refreshing Soil Without Repotting

Sometimes you don't need a new pot just fresh soil:

Remove top 2 inches of old soil
Replace with fresh potting mix
Water thoroughly
Do this annually between full repotting

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to repot a plant I just bought?

Wait 2-4 weeks for the plant to acclimate to your home first, unless it's severely root-bound or in poor soil.

Can I reuse old potting soil?

It's not ideal. Old soil is nutrient-depleted and may harbor pests or disease. Mix old soil with compost for outdoor use instead.

Should I water before or after repotting?

Both! Water the day before (makes removal easier) and immediately after (settles soil and hydrates roots).

How do I know if I chose a pot that's too big?

If the soil takes more than 10 days to dry out, or if your plant seems to have stopped growing (focusing on root growth instead) the pot may be too large.

My plant looks worse after repotting, is this normal?

Mild stress is normal. Give it 1-2 weeks. If problems persist or worsen, check for overwatering or root damage.

Can I repot a flowering plant?

It's best to wait until flowering finishes. Repotting during bloom diverts energy from flowers.

Video Guide

Watch this beginner-friendly repotting tutorial:

Next Steps

Now that you know how to repot, you're ready to give your plants the space they need to thrive. Start by examining your plants for signs they're ready, gather your supplies and pick a spring day to get started.