How to tell if a plant needs a bigger pot before it stops growing

Admit it. You talk to your plants. And they talk back to you. Not verbally, of course, but in their growing habits. If you have a potted plant that isn’t thriving, one of the reasons may be that it needs to be repotted. Keep working on those communication skills while you evaluate these 8 signs that your plant needs a bigger pot.

Is Repotting Important?

As plants growing in containers mature, their biomass increases both above and below the soil line. The roots grow larger outward and downward to provide structural support to the plant and to collect more water and nutrients. As this happens, the plant tends to become root-bound, a condition where the roots outgrow the container, overlap each other, circle around the bottom of the container, and turn to grow back up and/or against the container wall. Rootbound plants have a variety of issues, including stunted growth and poor plant health. To prevent this from happening, repotting the plant in a larger container with more soil is essential.

Signs That a Plant Needs a Bigger Pot

Roots Are Growing Out Of The Drainage Holes

If you are seeing roots coming out of the pot’s drainage holes, they have nowhere else to go and are desperately trying to escape.

Roots Appear On The Soil Surface

If you can see roots on the soil surface, something is wrong. While it could be that a critter has been digging in the pot or soil has been washed away during over-vigorous watering, the plant is most likely root-bound. To check, gently tap the plant out of the pot while the soil is dry. If the roots are circling the outside of the soil, it’s time to repot.

New Plants Or Pups Appear

Some plants develop small new plants, or pups, from the base of the parent plant. If you see these offshoots appear, the container can become overcrowded. Repotting gives the parent plant more room, and the pup can be separated and placed in a separate pot.

Poor Drainage

Ideally, after watering a container plant, water should be slowly dripping out of the drainage holes. If it rushes out quickly or doesn’t drain at all, the soil is compacted or clogged with roots. The plant should be repotted with fresh, well-draining soil.

Soil Has A Crusty Layer

If the container’s soil has a white, crusty layer on top, that is a sign of poor drainage and that salts and minerals are building up. The plant needs fresh soil and, most likely, a bigger pot.

Plant Is Top Heavy

If your plant keeps toppling over, the container is too small for the amount of above-soil growth and should be moved to a larger pot.

Tips

Step back and lend a critical eye to your plant. If the proportions between the container and the plant seem off, you may need to repot. For most plants, the plant’s height should be roughly 1.5 to 2 times the height of the container. A good guideline for repotting is to select a new pot with a diameter that is 1 to 2 inches larger than the plant’s root ball.

The Plant Is Dropping Leaves

Once you rule out other reasons why a plant is dropping leaves, such as overwatering, underwatering, or disease, it is possible that the plant is root-bound and unable to take in the nutrients it needs.

The Plant Appears Stunted Or Stops Growing

If your plant isn’t thriving as it once did during the seasons when new growth would normally appear, repotting may be the boost it needs for a fresh start.

Tips for Repotting Plants

• The ideal time to repot plants is in early spring, when the plants begin their most productive growing season. This gives the plant time to settle in the bigger pot with fresh soil before active growth begins.
• Avoid repotting in a pot that is too big because that can often lead to overwatering, which causes growth issues. A guideline for selecting a new container is to go up only one or two sizes. For example, repot a plant in a 10-inch pot to a 12-inch pot or, if the plant is a fast, vigorous grower, a 14-inch pot. For seedlings and small plants, go up one size, such as from a 4-inch pot to a 6-inch pot.
• Use fresh potting medium that is similar to the current one to avoid transplant shock.
• If repotting in a used container, be sure it has been sanitized to prevent the transfer of pests and diseases.

Read the original article on Southern Living