Another in my occasional series of tips on indoor
plant care.
Maybe it's because I've potted so many (it must be multiple thousands by now) but I'm reluctant to re-pot plants unnecessarily.
One of the misconceptions I encounter frequently when people ask me for advice on their office
plants or their houseplants at home, as that 'they need repotting'.
In some people's books this a cure all for a plants ills.
I cannot emphasise enough how infrequently repotting is the answer to an ill plant's woes.
It is easy to think why it might help:
1. It gives the plant a dose of fresh soil.
True, but the nutrients in fresh compost are used up in a matter of weeks or months. How often were you planning on repotting it?
2. It gives the roots room to grow.
Again, true, but I've dug out perfectly healthy houseplants, showing no signs of ill health from being potbound, that have been in the same pot for decades, with roots going round and round the inside of the pot.
Now here's why you should restrain yourself.
1.
Plants have delicate hairs all over their roots, which are very easily damaged. Pulling a
plant out of its pot is like taking a pair of walking boots off with the laces done up. It's possible, but it won't do your toes much good.
2. Being a little bit potbound will inhibit a
plant's growth. Think before you pot on whether you actually want your
plant to get a lot bigger. If you don't then prune the plant (most of them love it) and keep the pot.
3. Houseplants will live in tiny pots in comparison to their size. I've seen it many, many times. As long as they get enough water and food, they'll live in terrible soil in a tiny pot (hydroponic
plants live in gravel after all).
Here are the only reasons you should repot a
plant, in my opinion:
1. It's in a pot with drainage and the roots are escaping.
2. It's easier to get the watering right in a bigger pot.
3. The pot looks too small. Indoor
plants are there to make your home or office look nice. If the pot looks out of proportion, change it!
Jonathan