Sofia Martinez
Whether to leave houseplants in their plastic pots or repot them is a common question for plant enthusiasts. The answer depends on several factors, including the plant's size, the type of pot, and personal preference. When you buy a new plant, it's important to let it acclimatise to its new environment, including light, humidity, and temperature. Leaving a plant in its plastic pot for a few weeks can help reduce potential stress. However, if the plant's roots are growing out of the drainage holes, it's likely time to repot. While some plants are happy in snug pots, others may need more space to grow, so it's important to choose an appropriately sized pot.
Leaving Houseplants in Plastic Pots
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Repotting | It is not necessary to repot a houseplant from its plastic pot immediately after bringing it home. |
| Houseplants can be left in their plastic pots for at least a year. | |
| Repotting can be considered if there are many roots growing out of the drainage holes. | |
| When repotting, only upgrade the size of the new pot slightly to avoid shocking the plant. | |
| Drainage | Plastic pots must have holes in the bottom to allow excess water to drain away. |
| Drainage can be improved by adding pebbles, hydrogranules, or broken pieces of china to the bottom of the pot. | |
| A saucer can be placed inside a decorative pot to catch excess water. | |
| Soil | When repotting, replenish the soil with fresh potting mix. |
| Add slow-release fertiliser to the soil for an extra nutrient boost. | |
| Ensure the top of the plant's root ball is 1-2 cm below the pot rim. |
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What You'll Learn
Pros and cons of repotting houseplants
Repotting houseplants can be beneficial, but it also has some potential drawbacks. Here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros of repotting:
- Improved drainage: Repotting allows you to improve the drainage of your plants. Good drainage is essential to prevent overwatering, which is the easiest way to kill a plant. By using a pot with drainage holes or adding a layer of pebbles, hydrogranules, or lava rocks at the bottom of the pot, you can ensure that excess water drains away, preventing root rot.
- Enhanced aesthetics: You can choose from a variety of decorative pots made from materials like ceramic, metal, or fibreglass to create a stylish look for your interior. Repotting allows you to change the appearance of your plants to suit your taste and interior design preferences.
- More space for roots: If your plant has outgrown its current pot, repotting provides more space for the roots to grow. This is particularly important if you see a lot of roots growing out of the drainage holes, indicating that the plant is root-bound. Upgrading to a slightly larger pot prevents the plant from becoming pot-bound and promotes healthy growth.
- Fresh soil and nutrients: When repotting, you can replenish the soil and provide a fresh mix of nutrients for your plant. Over time, the soil in the original pot can break down and compact, impeding drainage and reducing the roots' access to oxygen and nutrients. Repotting allows you to refresh the soil and ensure your plant has the necessary nutrients for growth.
Cons of repotting:
- Stress to the plant: Repotting can be stressful for plants, especially when combined with the adjustment to a new environment. The process of unrooting and moving the plant can be a significant shock, and it may take time for the plant to recover and adapt to its new surroundings.
- Risk of overwatering: If the new pot does not have proper drainage, there is a risk of overwatering the plant. Inadequate drainage can cause water to pool at the bottom of the pot, leading to root rot and eventually killing the plant.
- Increased maintenance: Larger pots or those with more soil require more water and can be heavier to move. Repotting into a bigger pot may result in increased maintenance and watering requirements, as well as potential challenges with mobility and placement.
- Cost and effort: Repotting requires purchasing a new pot and soil, which incurs additional costs. Additionally, the process of repotting can be time-consuming and physically demanding, especially for larger plants or those with extensive root systems.
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How to remove a houseplant from its plastic pot
The ideal time to repot your houseplants is at the beginning of their growing season, between late February and early May in the Northern Hemisphere. Before you can put a plant in a new pot, you must first remove it from its original container. Your goal should be to get the plant out of its pot without causing too much damage to the roots. Yanking the plant out by its base is not a good technique, as you may tear off a portion of the roots.
- Water the plant thoroughly a day or so ahead. This will make the roots and potting soil slightly more malleable and facilitate removal.
- If there are any roots coming out of the drainage holes, clip them off with pruning shears.
- Loosen the soil from the edges using a skewer or butter knife.
- Tap the bottom of the pot with one hand while supporting the plant and pot with the other. The soil may come out in chunks or a little at a time.
- If you are still having problems removing the plant, use your fingers or a small shovel or spoon to gently dig the plant out. Dry soil will allow you to carefully dig the plant out without excess soil clinging to the roots.
- Hold the pot in both hands and press in on the sides, loosening the soil around the edges.
- If the plant is still stuck, try compressing the pot with your hand in two or three places and turn the pot to free the root ball on all sides.
- Run a knife around the inside of the pot to free any remaining roots.
If all else fails, you may need to cut the plant out of its pot, especially if it is a large or rootbound plant in a thin plastic nursery pot. You can cut through the side of the plastic pot from top to bottom and then pull off the pot. Alternatively, you can hold the pot upside down and strike the edge of the pot on a table.
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Choosing the right decorative pot
Drainage
Good drainage is crucial to prevent overwatering, which is the easiest way to kill a plant. Most modern decorative pots do not have drainage holes, and their materials are not always waterproof. Therefore, it is essential to ensure your plant has adequate drainage to protect your pot and furnishings from water damage. You can add a liner to your decorative pot and use drainage material such as small pebbles, hydrogranules (baked, expanded clay granules), or lava rocks. These materials create crevices at the bottom of the planter for excess water to pool away from the plant's roots. You can also cover the surface of the drainage material with decorative stones or pebbles to suit your interior design preferences.
Size
When repotting, only upgrade the size of your new decorative pot slightly. Moving your plant to an oversized pot too quickly can cause it to go into shock. If you wish to slow down the growth of your plant, keeping it in a smaller pot can help achieve this, as the restricted space will prevent it from growing larger.
Style
Decorative pots come in various materials, including ceramic, natural, composite, metal, and fibreglass, offering a wide range of styles to choose from. You can select a pot that complements your interior design preferences and creates a "wow" factor in your space.
Timing
It is best to wait a bit before repotting your plant, as the move from the store to your home can already be stressful for the plant. Allow your plant to acclimate to its new environment for about 2-3 weeks. During this adjustment period, you can decide whether to leave it in its original grow pot or repot it into a decorative planter. Remember, repotting a plant is optional, and as long as it looks healthy and has sufficient space for root growth, you can choose not to repot it.
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Drainage and watering considerations
Traditional indoor plant pots have drainage holes in the bottom that allow excess water to drain through the soil into a saucer. This solution may not achieve the interior design look you want and limits the style of decorative pots you can use. Modern decorative pots and planters come in a variety of materials, including ceramic, natural, composite, metal, and fibreglass, but they typically do not have drainage holes, and the materials are not always designed to be waterproof.
If you want to use a decorative pot without drainage holes, you can place a saucer inside the decorative pot and put the grow pot on top of it. You can also raise the height of the plant by adding pebbles, hydrogranules, or lava rocks at the bottom of the planter. These materials create crevices for excess water to pool into, away from the plant's roots. You can also use river rocks or gravel as a substitute for lava rocks. If you need to, you can take the plant out of the decorative pot to water and drain it in a sink before replacing it.
If your plant is root-bound, with roots growing in very tight circles around the base, you should consider repotting into a slightly larger planter. Moving to an enormous pot too quickly can cause your plant to go into shock. If you want to keep your plant from growing larger, you can trim the roots and re-pot it into its existing pot.
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Soil and fertiliser requirements
The soil and fertiliser requirements of houseplants in plastic pots depend on various factors, including the type of plant, the quality of the plastic pot, and the specific needs of the plant. Here are some detailed instructions and considerations:
Firstly, it is important to choose the right type of soil for your houseplants. Avoid using outdoor soil or garden compost as they may contain diseases that can harm your indoor plants. Opt for indoor plant potting soil, which is specifically designed for houseplants and ensures the soil is free from potential pathogens. If you have multiple plants with different watering requirements, consider hydroculture, which involves cultivating plants in hydrogranules instead of soil. Hydroculture allows each plant to take the water and nutrients it needs from the hydrogranules, reducing the risk of overwatering and making it easier to manage a variety of plants with different needs.
When using plastic pots, consider the benefits and drawbacks of this material. Plastic pots are excellent for moisture-loving plants, as they retain water better than porous clay pots. They are also lightweight and durable, making them ideal for hanging planters and clumsy owners. However, plastic pots may have inadequate drainage holes, leading to waterlogging and potentially causing root rot. To mitigate this issue, ensure your plastic pots have sufficient drainage holes, or consider using a saucer inside a decorative pot to catch excess water. Additionally, plastic pots can conduct heat, potentially burning the roots during hot weather or causing the soil to freeze faster in cold climates. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor temperature changes and their impact on the plant's root system.
The choice of fertiliser depends on the specific needs of your houseplants. For plants in hydroculture, less frequent feeding is required, typically every 4-6 months. You can add fertiliser directly to the water, allowing the hydrogranules to absorb and gently release the nutrients to the plant roots. For plants in soil, consider using a slow-release granular fertiliser mixed into the soil, following the instructions on the packaging for application frequency. Alternatively, you can use a liquid fertiliser, applied directly to the soil according to the recommended dosage and timing.
When it comes to aesthetics, you can cover the surface of the soil with decorative stones, pebbles, or bark chips. This not only suits your style but also helps reduce evaporation in warm weather. Additionally, consider using a pot liner, which can be made of plastic or natural materials like fibre stone or fibre glass. These liners fit inside the decorative pot and provide a layer of protection, preventing water and soil from coming into direct contact with the pot, keeping it pristine and reducing the risk of damage to floors and furnishings.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can leave your houseplants in plastic pots. Plastic pots are usually fine for at least a year, and some plants will be happy in them for much longer. If you do decide to repot your plant, make sure you do it gradually, as the move can be stressful for the plant.
If you can see a lot of roots growing out of the drainage holes in your plant's pot, it might be time to consider repotting. If your plant is root-bound, you will need to unbind the roots and give them a trim before repotting.
First, place your plant in a spot where it will get used to the light, humidity, and temperature of its new environment and let it acclimate for about 2-3 weeks. After this adjustment period, you can decide to leave it as is or repot it into a decorative planter. If you do decide to repot, remember to only upgrade the size of the planter slightly, as moving to an enormous pot too quickly can cause your plant to go into shock.
