How to Repot Your Houseplants: The Complete Summer Guide
How to Repot Your Houseplants: The Complete Summer Guide
Summer is the single best time of year to repot your houseplants. With longer days, warmer temperatures, and plants in full active growth, they recover quickly from the disturbance and bounce back stronger than ever. If you've been putting off repotting, now is the time!
Here's our complete guide to repotting — from spotting the signs to aftercare.
🪴 Signs Your Plant Needs Repotting
Not sure if your plant is ready for a new home? Look out for these telltale signs:
- Roots coming out of the drainage holes — the most obvious sign. If roots are escaping from the bottom, the plant has run out of room.
- Roots circling the surface of the soil — lift the pot and check underneath. Circling roots mean the plant is rootbound.
- Water runs straight through — if water drains almost instantly without being absorbed, the pot is likely packed with roots and has little soil left.
- Stunted growth despite good care — if your plant has stopped growing even in summer, it may simply be out of space.
- The plant is top-heavy and keeps tipping over — a sign the roots have outgrown the pot's ability to anchor the plant.
- It's been in the same pot for 2+ years — even if there are no obvious signs, most houseplants benefit from fresh soil every 1–2 years.
🏺 Choosing the Right Pot
Picking the right pot is just as important as the repotting itself. Here's what to consider:
- Go up one size only. Choose a pot that's 2–5 cm wider in diameter than the current one. Too large a pot holds excess moisture and can lead to root rot.
- Always choose a pot with drainage holes. Without drainage, water sits at the bottom and roots suffocate. Decorative pots without holes should be used as outer sleeves only.
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Material matters:
- Terracotta — breathable and great for plants prone to overwatering (succulents, cacti, Monsteras). Dries out faster, so you'll water more frequently.
- Plastic/glazed ceramic — retains moisture longer, ideal for moisture-loving plants like Ferns and Calatheas.
🌱 Choosing the Right Soil Mix
Different plants need different soil mixes. Using the wrong compost is one of the most common repotting mistakes:
- Tropical foliage plants (Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron): A well-draining houseplant compost mixed with perlite (roughly 70/30) works brilliantly.
- Succulents & cacti: Use a specialist cactus and succulent mix, or add plenty of horticultural grit to standard compost.
- Orchids: Never use standard compost — orchids need specialist bark-based orchid mix to allow airflow around the roots.
- Ferns & moisture-lovers: A peat-free compost with added coir retains moisture without becoming waterlogged.
- Aroids (Anthuriums, Alocasias): A chunky, airy mix with bark, perlite, and compost mimics their natural growing conditions.
🪜 Step-by-Step: How to Repot
- Water your plant 24 hours before repotting. Moist roots are more flexible and less likely to break.
- Prepare your new pot. Add a layer of fresh compost to the bottom — enough so the plant will sit at the same height as before.
- Remove the plant from its old pot. Tip it gently on its side and ease the plant out. If it's stuck, run a knife around the inside edge of the pot.
- Inspect and loosen the roots. Gently tease apart any tightly circling roots. Remove any that are black, mushy, or dead.
- Place the plant in the new pot. Centre it and fill in around the sides with fresh compost, pressing gently to remove air pockets.
- Leave a gap at the top. Leave 2–3 cm between the soil surface and the rim of the pot for watering.
- Water thoroughly. Give the plant a good drink and allow it to drain fully.
- Place in indirect light. Even sun-loving plants benefit from a few days in softer light while they recover from the move.
🌿 Aftercare Tips
- Don't fertilise for 4–6 weeks after repotting — fresh compost contains enough nutrients and feeding too soon can stress the roots.
- Some leaf droop in the first few days is completely normal. Be patient.
- Keep the plant out of direct sun for a week to reduce stress.
- Resist the urge to overwater — let the top layer of soil dry out before watering again.
🏆 A Note from Emm's
We're passionate about helping you give your plants the best possible home — literally! Whether you need advice on soil mixes, pot choices, or which plants to add to your collection next, we're always here to help.
Browse our full range at emmsplanthouse.co.uk and follow us on TikTok for repotting demos, plant care tips, and more.
Happy repotting! 🌱
— The Emm's Plant House Team