Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:28 pm
Have you ever been wondering how to repot succulents? If you’re struggling to maintain the beauty of your succulent collection, repotting might be exactly what it needs to thrive once again. However, if you’ve never repotted succulents before, the process can seem daunting and confusing.
Repotting succulents can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you need to move your plant into or out of its pot, there are simple steps you can follow to repot your succulent in just a few minutes.
Succulents are among the most popular houseplants, and they’re not hard to keep alive. If you have some succulents that have outgrown their pots, repotting them can be the perfect way to keep them thriving in your home. We’ll show you how to repot succulents in five easy steps, so you can continue enjoying these beautiful plants!
How to repot succulents in 5 steps!
Step 1: Prepare Your Supplies
Before you begin, make sure you have all the supplies you need. You’ll need a new pot, fresh potting mix, and a sharp knife. You may also want to wear gloves to protect your hands from the succulent’s sap. The size of the pot should be larger than the original pot by at least 1 inch in all directions.
Place soil in the bottom of the container, place succulent on top of it and add more soil until it reaches an inch below the rim of your container. Water thoroughly once you’re done to help settle any air pockets.
Step 2: Cutting the old root
Gently remove your succulent from its current pot. If the plant is pot-bound (the roots are tightly wrapped around the bottom of the pot), you’ll need to carefully loosen them before proceeding. With a sharp knife, cut away any visibly damaged roots.
You can also trim away any extremely long roots. Use a spoon or trowel to gently tease apart and separate the remaining root ball. Take care not to break or damage live roots in the process!
Step 3: Adding soil
When repotting a houseplant into a larger container, make sure that the container has enough room for the new plants’ roots to grow. Fill the bottom of the new pot with an appropriate growing medium, such as cactus mix or well-draining commercial potting soil.
Carefully place your succulent in the center of the pot so that there’s enough room on all sides for air circulation and light penetration. Next, cover the top of the roots with more soil until they’re completely covered.
Step 4: Watering
Now it’s time to water your newly potted succulent! Fill the watering can halfway with water and pour over the surface of the soil until thoroughly soaked. Be careful not to drench or soak your succulent by pouring too quickly, because this will cause rot. Add more water if necessary.
Step 5: Sunlight
Lastly, give it some sunlight! Place your succulent where it gets at least six hours of direct sun each day. Keep the soil moist but never wet and never let it dry out completely.
When to repot succulents
Spring is the best time to repot succulents because they are just coming out of their winter dormancy and are ready to start growing again. Plus, the weather is usually milder in spring, which makes it easier for you and your plants.
What potting mix should I use?
You want a fast-draining mix that will hold water but drain quickly, like a cactus potting mix or one made for African violets. When should I fertilize my succulent?: If you’re using a cactus potting mix, fertilize about once every two months.
If you’re using an African violet mix, fertilize monthly during periods of active growth.
How often should I water my succulents?
It depends on the type of succulent and where you live, but generally speaking, most need to be watered at least twice a week during periods of active growth (spring through fall).
When to water succulents after repotting
It’s important to give your succulents time to adjust to their new home before watering them. Depending on the size of the pot and the type of succulent, you’ll want to wait anywhere from one week to one month before watering.
If you see the leaves start to wilt, that’s a sign that it’s time to water. Succulents are sensitive plants and should be watered sparingly. When watering, use room temperature water to avoid shocking the plant with cold or hot temperatures which can cause shock or damage roots.
Make sure not to overwater as this can lead to root rot.
If you’re unsure whether or not your succulent needs more water, use a finger to gently poke into the soil about an inch deep and if there is no moisture present then it’s likely time for more water!
How often should you change succulent soil?
Depending on the type of succulent, how often you need to change the soil can vary. Some succulents can tolerate being in the same pot for years, while others will need to be repotted every few months.
If your succulent is growing faster than usual or the leaves are starting to yellow, it’s probably time for a change. The best way to know when to repot is by observing and taking note of how fast the plant grows.
How to plant succulents in pots without drainage holes
- Add a layer of gravel or rocks to the bottom of the pot for drainage.
- Fill the pot with a lightweight potting mix made for succulents.
- Gently remove your succulent from its current pot and loosen any tightly bound roots.
- Place your plant in the new pot and fill in around it with more potting mix, tamping it down lightly as you go.
- Water your succulent well, letting any excess drain out of the bottom of the pot. You may want to place something under the pot like a saucer or cookie sheet before watering, just in case. Be sure not to overwater your succulent!
Do succulents need drainage holes?
Most succulents do best in a pot with a drainage hole. This allows excess water to drain out of the pot and prevents the roots from sitting in water, which can lead to root rot. If your pot doesn’t have a drainage hole, you can still grow succulents in it, but you’ll need to be extra careful not to overwater them.
And remember that they will eventually grow too big for their pot and need to be repotted into a larger container. You may also want to use moss as an alternative soil medium since it holds moisture well without becoming soggy.
How to water succulents without drainage
Watering succulents can be tricky, especially if they don’t have drainage holes in their pots. If you’re not careful, you can easily overwater your plants and cause them to rot.
Here are a few tips on how to water succulents without drainage:
- Water succulents sparingly, only when the soil is dry and it’s time to re-pot them.
- Use a pot with lots of drainage holes so that excess water will drain out quickly.
- Make sure the pot has an ample amount of potting mix or other planting media before adding the roots from the original container into the new one.
- Add extra perlite or other types of horticultural media for good drainage before placing any dirt on top. A layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot is also helpful for proper drainage.
- If there are no drainage holes in the bottom of your container, place rocks around it to help absorb moisture.
- Place something under the plant (like a dish) to catch overflow water as well as any stray dirt that falls off while repotting.
- Gently press down on the new soil to make sure there are no air pockets left, which could cause the plant to become too wet.
- Cover up the plant with a thin layer of the fresh potting mix before lightly misting it. Keep in mind that too much water will kill these types of plants!
How to repot overgrown succulents
Over time, succulents can become pot-bound, meaning their roots have filled up the entire pot and there’s no room for growth. When this happens, it’s time to repot the plant into a larger container. Here are five easy steps to do just that:
- Choose a new pot that’s about 2-3 inches wider in diameter than the current one. Make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom.
- Add fresh succulent soil to the new pot.
- Carefully remove the old pot from around the base of the plant, making sure not to damage any of its roots in the process.
- Place your succulent gently into the new pot and fill with more soil if needed.
- Water thoroughly to settle the dirt. The leaves will tell you when they need water again by curling at the edges or going completely dry, so be mindful of these signs!
