Alexei Volkov
Removing plants from plastic containers is a straightforward process. It is recommended to repot your plant if you see roots poking through the drainage hole, as this indicates that the roots have run out of room to grow outward. To remove the plant, water it thoroughly a day or two in advance to make the roots and soil more malleable. Then, trim any roots coming out of the drainage holes. Hold the plant by the base and gently shake it out of the plastic pot, removing any loose soil. If the plant is stuck, try compressing the pot with your hands to loosen the root ball, or use a knife to free the roots. With a little care, you can easily transfer your plant to a new container.
Removing plants from plastic containers
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When to remove | When the plant starts its growing season, or when you see roots popping through the top of the soil or drainage holes |
| Preparation | Water the plant thoroughly a day before to make the roots and soil more malleable |
| Removal technique | Hold the pot in both hands and press in on the sides to loosen the soil around the edges. Flip the pot on its side or with the opening facing down. Hold the plant with one hand and push down on the bottom of the pot with the other hand. |
| Difficult cases | If the plant is rootbound, try massaging the sides and bottom of the pot. If it still doesn't work, use a knife to free the root ball or cut through the plastic pot |
| Reusing the plastic pot | Clean mineral deposits with a scouring pad and a knife for tough deposits. Rinse the pot and soak it in clean water until you are ready to reuse it |
| Replanting | Place the plant in a new pot with a drainage hole, adding a shallow layer of pebbles or lava rocks for drainage if needed |
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What You'll Learn
Water the plant a day before to loosen the soil
Watering your plant a day before you plan to remove it from its plastic container is a great way to loosen the soil. This technique works for both plastic and non-plastic containers. Use room-temperature water to avoid shocking the plant, and consider using rainwater or filtered water instead of tap water, as many plants are sensitive to the chemicals in tap water. After watering, allow the soil to soak up the water.
When you're ready to remove the plant, start by holding the pot with both hands and pressing in on the sides to loosen the soil around the edges. You can also gently tap or squeeze the pot to achieve this. Then, turn the pot upside down and gently push the plant out. If the plant doesn't come out easily, you may need to cut the plastic pot, especially if it's a thin nursery pot.
Watering the soil a day in advance makes it easier to remove the plant from its plastic container. This method is less likely to damage the plant's roots compared to digging it out or using tools to loosen the soil. By allowing the soil to absorb water, you can more easily separate the plant from its container and minimise the risk of harm to the plant.
It is important to note that while watering the plant a day before is a useful technique, it is not mandatory. Some gardeners may choose to skip this step, especially if the plant is in a plastic pot, as these pots are generally easier to remove compared to harder materials like terracotta or ceramic. However, watering can still be beneficial, even if it's done just a few minutes or hours before removing the plant.
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Cut roots coming out of the drainage holes
If you notice roots coming out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the plastic container, it is a sign that your plant has outgrown its container and needs to be repotted. The roots can be carefully cut with pruning shears to make the removal process easier. Here are some detailed steps to help you with the process:
Prepare the plant:
Before attempting to remove the plant from the plastic container, water the plant thoroughly a day or two in advance. This will hydrate the plant and make the roots and soil more malleable, facilitating easier removal. Watering the plant will also soften the root ball, making it less compact and easier to work with.
Cut the roots:
Using pruning shears or sharp scissors, carefully clip off any roots that are protruding from the drainage holes. Make sure to cut as close to the drainage holes as possible to avoid damaging the roots unnecessarily. This step is crucial, as leaving these roots intact will hinder your efforts to remove the plant from the container.
Loosen the plant:
After cutting the roots, you can try to loosen the plant by gently tapping or shaking the plastic container. Hold the plant with one hand and gently tap the sides and bottom of the container with the other hand. This vibration may help to further loosen the roots and soil, making it easier to remove the plant without causing damage.
Remove the plant:
Once the roots coming out of the drainage holes have been cut, you can proceed with removing the plant from the plastic container. Place your hand around the base of the plant at soil level and turn the container upside down. Gently tap the upside-down container against a hard surface, such as a table or a garden bench, to dislodge the root ball. The force of the impact, combined with the loosened roots, should allow the plant to slide out of the container.
Repot the plant:
After successfully removing the plant from the plastic container, it is time to repot it into a larger container with fresh soil. Select a new pot that is 5-7 cm larger than the current one and ensure it has drainage holes. Prepare fresh, high-quality potting soil rich in nutrients and minerals to support the plant's recovery and promote healthy growth in its new container.
Remember, the goal is to remove the plant from the plastic container with minimal root damage. Taking the time to properly prepare, loosen, and cut the roots will help ensure a successful transition to a new, larger pot where your plant can continue to thrive.
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Compress the pot to free the root ball
Compressing the pot to free the root ball is a useful method when removing plants from plastic containers. This technique is especially helpful for large or root-bound plants. Root-bound plants are those that have outgrown their containers, resulting in a dense and unhealthy root system.
To begin, place the plant on its side and use your hand to hit the bottom of the pot gently. This action helps release the root ball by loosening the soil around the edges. If the pot has flexible sides, you can also try compressing it with your hand in two or three places while turning it to free the root ball from all sides.
If the plant still seems stuck, you may need to use a knife. Insert the knife between the pot and the root ball, then run it around the inside of the pot to free any roots attached to the sides.
For very large or root-bound plants, consider cutting the plant out of the pot, especially if it is a thin plastic nursery pot. This method can be less stressful for the plant and cause less damage to the roots.
Remember, the goal is to remove the plant from its pot with minimal root damage. Grabbing the plant by its base and yanking it out is usually not recommended as it can tear off a portion of the roots. Always support the plant with one hand while performing these techniques to ensure its safety.
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Cut the plastic pot if the plant is rootbound
If your plant is rootbound, you may need to cut the plastic pot to remove it. Before cutting, try loosening the plant by pressing in on the sides of the pot and then flipping the pot on its side or with the opening facing down. Hold the plant and pot with one hand and push down on the bottom of the pot with the other hand. If the plant does not come out, try to gently tap the sides of the pot. The vibrations should help to loosen the roots and soil. If the plant is in a nursery pot, you can also try to gently squeeze the sides.
If the plant is still stuck, use a sharp, clean knife or shears to cut the pot away. Wear protective gloves and glasses if needed. Be cautious and work slowly, gently peeling away the roots from the pot pieces. If the roots are stuck in the drainage hole, try wiggling the plant gently or using a chopstick or wooden stick to dislodge it. You can also try submerging the entire pot in water to separate the soil and bare the roots.
If you are dividing the root ball, use a knife or shears to cut the roots into sections, ensuring that each section has some foliage attached. You can then plant these sections into individual, smaller pots or together in a larger container. When cutting away portions of the root ball, avoid excessive removal to prevent harm to the plant. Only cut away the roots that are preventing the removal of the plant from the pot.
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Shake out the plant and remove excess soil
When removing a plant from a plastic pot, it is much easier than removing a plant from harder pots such as those made from terracotta or ceramic. This is because there is a much lower chance that you will have to "dig" a plant out of a plastic pot. To start, hold the pot in both hands and press in on the sides of the pot, loosening the soil around the edges. Then, flip the pot on its side or with the opening facing down. Hold the plant and the pot with one hand and push down on the bottom of the pot with the other hand. If done successfully, the plant should come out of the pot easily. If the plant does not budge, it may be rootbound and need a little more massaging on the sides and bottom of the pot before it comes out. If it is a very large or rootbound plant, you may need to cut it out of its pot, especially if it is in a thin plastic nursery pot.
Once the plant is out of the pot, you can shake out the plant and remove excess soil. This can be done by placing the plant on a paper towel to help remove excess water. You can also try tapping the root section of the plant along the palm of your hand, similar to shaking salt. If you want to remove all the soil, you can soak the root ball in water and gently run your fingers through it. However, it is important to note that you won't always be able to remove the dirt without damaging the roots or removing some roots. Additionally, some people believe that shaking off a little excess soil is sufficient, especially if they feel it is depleted. They then loosen the root ball and place it into a larger pot and fill it in with new soil.
If you are reusing the plastic pot, it is important to clean and disinfect it to avoid the growth of bacteria and other pathogens. This can be done by using household disinfectants like surface wipes, cleaners, and sprays (e.g. Lysol, Pin-Sol, Clorox wipes, Microban, etc.) or a 10% bleach solution. Mineral deposits that form around the upper inside rim of the pot near the soil line can be removed with a scouring pad or scraped away with a knife. Rinse the pot and it is ready for reuse.
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Frequently asked questions
Water the plant thoroughly a day before you plan to remove it. This will make the roots and soil more malleable. If there are any roots coming out of the drainage holes, clip them off. Hold the plant by the base and gently shake it out of the pot. If the plant does not budge, try compressing the pot with your hand in two or three places to free the root ball.
You can try to cut the pot out carefully with a knife or metal shears. Run a knife around the inside of the pot to free the root ball. If it is still stuck, insert a knife between the pot and the root ball and run it around the inside of the pot.
You can carefully cut through the plastic pot until you can gently pull the plant out. You can then dip it in water to help remove any remaining rockwool.
