How To Repot Rootbound Plants

Have you ever had a rootbound plant? Wondering what does rootbound mean? Rootbound is when a plant has grown too big for its pot, and the roots are just circling the pot on the inside. When you pull a rootbound plant out of its pot, you will likely find that the roots have enclosed the little soil left, and that the rootball has taken the shape of the pot.

A rootbound aloe vera plant

Re-potting a plant can seem daunting, and honestly sometimes re-potting a plant can be quite the task, especially if it is an old plant. However, with a few simple steps, you can re-pot a plant whether it is rootbound or not, either by putting it into a larger pot or by dividing it and getting more plants while you're giving your plant more room to grow. 

How To Re-pot Plants:

• You can re-pot a plant on a table, or if it is a large plant, try to do it in a gardening bed, so that any spillage stays in the bed.
  
• Lay your potted plant on the side and start knocking all around on the side.
• Gently lift up the bottom of the planter, and see if you can knock out the plant.
• If the plant does not come out, repeat.
• You can take your small shovel and try to loosen up the sides a little on the inside of the pot.
• You may have to tug a little on the plant once you put it on the side, but be careful not to damage the plant.
• Once you've gotten the plant out of it's pot, it's time to put on your gardening gloves.
• Some plants that grow by rhizomes (or suckers) such as shell ginger, lilies, bird of paradise, elderberries and others may need a sharp shovel to get the rhizomes divided, just make sure that each piece have ample roots.
• In most cases, the best way to divide a plant is to gently separate the roots with your fingers, as this is a gentler way of dividing.
• If your plant is simply rootbound but not ready for division, start dividing the roots from the bottom. If the plant is so rootbound that it is hard to separate the roots, you may need a pair of sterilized sheers or scissors (Just pour some rubbing alcohol over your tool to clean it first). 
• Once the roots have been separated and the plants have been divided, it is time to prepare the new pots. 
• Make sure your new planting pot has holes for drainage, so the plant roots won't rot.
• Add shards of old pots, large seashells or rocks to the bottom of the pot so that the drainage holes won't clog. 
  
• You can use store-bought potting soil that fits your need, or you can make your own homemade compost. For our indoor plants I use a sterilized organic compost. For our outdoor plants, I use a combination of decomposed wood chips and compost from our compost pile, which includes chicken manure. 
• Fill the bottom of the pot, then set the plant in the pot, and start filling up around it.
• When the pot is firm, gently press on the soil around the plant to remove any large air spaces.
• Make sure that the plant is at the same level as it was, before you removed it from its original pot. Don't cover a greater amount of the stem, as this can make it rot. 
• Once done, water the plant thoroughly and leave it in part shade for a few days, so that it can get used to it's new location.
• Once you are sure that the plant has settled, return it to it's previous location.
  
• Some plants love being transplanted, but other plants such as elderberries, papaya and tree philodendrons often suffer from transplant shock, and on some cases it can take weeks before the plant recovers.

 

Rootbound peace lily

Dividing a rootbound peace lily

The rootbound peace lilly plant was returned to its pot with new soil, after having been divided into many new plants. Some to be sold, some were planted in beds and a few became houseplants.

Transplant Shock 

• Plants that suffer from transplant shock may look as if they are dying for the first week or so after transplanting, and they may loose all of their leaves. 
• Make sure to water sufficiently, and don't leave the plant in direct sun until it has settled.
• I always try to do my re-potting, whenever I know there is rain in the forecast, because newly transplanted and re-potted plants need plenty of water, until their roots have adjusted to the new location. 
• To prevent transplant shock for sensitive plants, try to keep as much of the previous growing medium as possible and try not to disturb the plants too much.
• Papayas especially like the pressure of rain water on their roots, so I try to only transplant papayas right before days with rain. 
• Most of the time the plants will recover within 1 - 4 weeks, but the bigger the plant the longer it can take. Don't lose patience, just keep taking care of the plant, and before you know it you should see tiny new leaves emerge signaling that the plant is happy again. This past summer I dug up and moved a huge ten-year old tree philodendron for a neighbor. One section was moved to our land, where it quickly recovered in the shade with damp soil. The other section was moved to our neighbor's sunny front yard, and it looked as if it was dying for at least 6 weeks, until it slowly began to recover. Three months after transplanting, the tree philodendron is thriving, but my neighbor was tempted to get rid off it for a while.

 

Re-potting plants can be hard work, but the results are healthier plants, and it is a great way to get more plants without spending any money.

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