4 reasons to repot succulents

4 Reasons to Repot Succulents

Home gardeners love succulents because of their unique colors and funky shapes, and also because of their relatively low-maintenance nature.

But just because succulents are easy to care for doesn’t mean you can plant them and forget about them. Besides ensuring your succulent is receiving proper sunlight and water, there will likely come a time when your succulent needs a little extra TLC. Eventually, your succulent will need to be repotted to ensure it has a proper home where it can grow and thrive.

repot succulents

If you aren’t sure whether or not your succulent needs to be repotted, keep reading for four reasons to repot succulents:

1. Roots are growing through the bottom of the pot

    When you turn your succulent over, do you see white roots crowding the pot’s drainage holes? If yes, then it’s time to repot your succulents. If your pot is wobbly because of roots poking through, then it’s most definitely time to repot! When choosing your succulent’s next pot, a good rule of thumb is to leave about a 1/2 -inch space between your succulents (if putting multiple plants in a pot) and around the edge of the pot. While you want your succulent to have breathing room, a pot that’s too big will actually hinder your succulent’s growth. Also, be sure to select one that has drainage holes. If there aren’t holes, then drill a couple into the bottom. Another great drainage option if you don't want to drill holes in your pots is to add a layer of stones, such as our Hydro stones, at the bottom of your pot.

    2. The soil dries out too fast

      When you water your succulent, have you noticed that the soil is bone dry again within a couple of hours? This is a sign that your potting medium is no longer good and it’s time for you to repot your succulent. Succulents like well-draining soil, but at the same time, they need their soil to stay moist long enough for their roots to absorb the moisture. When you repot succulents due to poor soil, be sure to make your next potting medium the right choice to help your plants thrive. We recommend a 1:1 ratio of succulent soil and perlite, both of which can be purchased at your local garden store.

      plant succulents in planters

      3. Your succulents are top heavy

        If your precious succulents are toppling over or leaning, this is an obvious sign that they need to be repotted. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they need a bigger pot! There are certain types of succulents that develop shallow root systems while still growing tall. So, while your succulent’s roots are perfectly happy in their current pot, its heavy top requires you to repot it. Rather than getting a bigger pot, in this situation you simply need a heavier pot. When repotting your succulents, use a heavy clay pot or use heavy stones in the bottom of a lighter pot to add weight.

        4. Your succulent looks unhealthy

          Have you noticed that your succulent’s once plump and lush leaves are now soft, shriveling or yellowing? These are signs of an unhealthy plant, it’s time to diagnose the problem and potentially repot your succulents. Assuming your succulent receives proper water and light, the next culprits to look for are bugs, disease and rot. Inspect your succulent’s leaves, and if you don’t see any problems, remove your plant from its pot and inspect the roots. If you see a problem with the roots, cut them back to where they appear to be healthy. Then, repot your succulent in a clean pot with fresh soil. Hopefully, your repotted succulent will perk back up within a few days.

          bubble ball terrarium with succulents and geodes

          For more information on determining when to repot succulents, check out this post: https://www.46spruce.com/blogs/home-garden-blog/repotting-succulents-into-terrariums

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