Indoor Plant Care

Indoor plants provide a few warning signals when they need to be repotted. New leaves are generally smaller than established growth. The distance between the leaves becomes longer if the light is low but shorter if it needs to be repotted. The leaves become less glossy and possible cupped more and because there are more root and less soil. The frequency of watering increases. However, dull the leaves may be only a sign of accumulated dust, which gentle wiping with a moist cloth can remove.

Roots provide another sign that a plant needs a larger pot. Gently turn the potted plant upside down holding on firmly to the top of the soil at the base of the plant. Rap the bottom of the pot sharply and slowly pull the plant away from the pot to examine the roots. If a few roots have collected on the outside of the soil, the plant is in fine condition. However thickly matted roots on the outer edge of the soil are signs for transplanting. If the roots are in this condition, gently break them apart with the fingers or slice up, down, and around the soil ball one-eighth inch deep.

To transplant indoor plants find the largest newspaper you can find. If you are like me, you cannot help but make a mess. You will need a new pot one or two inches larger in depth and diameter than the old one. Do not double the size of the planter. Plants do not seem to adjust well to too large an area. The new pot should have drainage holes at the bottom.

Place prepared soil or your own made with equal parts peat moss, shredded/composted bark, perlite of vermiculite into the bottom of the new pot to a depth which will position the plant at the same height in the new container as it was in the old. Tamp the soil with your fingers to remove some of the sponginess.

Next, place the plant with the old soil still intact on top of the soil in the new pot. Lay two to three inches of soil around the plant and then water. Because the soil is dry it will not take up water properly. Therefore several soakings are initially needed to activate it. Continue to add soil and water up to half and inch from the top of the pot. This provides a reservoir for the water before it soaks in.

Once the pot is filled place it on a saucer or in a fancy container to drain. If the plant is planted in a contained pot without drainage holes, fill the bottom of the pot with two to three inches of silica gravel for drainage. Then insert a straw down through the soil and gravel which will drain off excess water when the plant is tipped on its side.

It is critical to faithfully water your plants in the winter. Inside humidity is usually less than that of most deserts, and plants require more moisture in dry conditions. Different varieties have different watering requirements so follow the instructions which accompanied the plant when purchased.

Once you have transplanted your indoor plant you may want to consider purchasing a new plant for the old pot. Some of the more popular indoor plants include the pothos, philodendron, the rubber tree varieties, ferns, babies tears, nethitis, ivies, peperomia, cactus, spider plants, African violets, wandering jews and sheflerrs.

Look for you indoor plants’ indicators that its time they may be repotted. Help them settle into their new location with proper transplanting methods, and both you and your plants will enjoy the change.