How to Repot Succulents: 3 Important Steps You Should Know

We usually get asked about how and when to repot succulents. While it may sound intimidating and difficult, repotting succulent does not take much effort to be done properly. Follow this article to find out the important things you need to know about repotting. 

When to Repot

To start, you should know the right time to repot your succulents. Succulents are usually put in small and tight pots, they will eventually outgrow their pot and need a bigger pot to grow better. There’re a few signs that will let you know:

• The roots are too tight, and sometimes they may stick out of the pot holes for more space
• Water does not soak through the whole pot or the soil drains too fast after watering (a few hours)
• The plant looks unhealthy (given adequate lighting and water)
• The plant topples over the pot

On average, you should repot your succulents every two years to make sure the soil is fresh and fertile and there is enough space for the plant to grow. Timing is also an important factor you should care about. We would recommend repotting in growth season (usually spring or summer) so that the damage to the plant will be kept to minimum and the plant has more survival chance.

The Preparation 

So, the next step would be to prepare to repot. Simple! All we need is good soil mix, a clay pot or any pot of your choice, a set of mini garden tools and some water. 

Step-by-step guide to repot your succulent

Step 1: Remove the plant from the old pot.

If it is a large pot, use a stick to get it out easier. Be careful not to hurt the root system. If the root is small, you can turn the pot upside down to get it out.

Step 2: Clean and dry the root system.

After getting the succulent out of the old pot, you can tap the root to get the dirt off or you can choose to clean it with water. In some cases, the root may be too long, you may want to trim it a little bit. If you use water to clean the root, let it dry in cool places for 3 to 5 days (avoid direct sunlight and rain)

Step 3: Put the plant in a new pot.

Put the plant in a new pot with dry soil for a couple of days to let the plant recover before watering it. At this stage, you should not give it much water as the root system is still fragile.

Caution & Warning

• It is important to remember that you should never repot your succulent if it starts to flower. Repotting may stop the blooming process, and the flower may fall off the succulent.
• Do not overwater. During the repotting process, be careful not to soak the plant in water for too long or water it right after you put it in a new pot. Your succulent will get root rot if it gets too much water in the process.

While repotting succulents is not hard, it is crucial that you should follow the instruction carefully. However, succulent is a resilient plant, so if you just want to switch from your current pot to other cute pots, do not be afraid to experiment and have fun with the plant. Good luck!