Re-potting 

Most houseplants should be re-potted annually or sooner if they are root-bound, too big for their pot or the roots are growing out through drainage holes.

Chose a new pot that is a little larger than the current pot, both in diameter and depth. The pot can be plastic, terracotta (glazed or unglazed), metallic, fibreglass or other. Non-porous pots lose less water but porous materials such as terracotta provide better drainage and absorb soluble salts from the potting mix.

The pot should always have enough drainage; the pots can be placed on saucers or in sealed pots to prevent water leakage onto furniture or floors. But the plant should never sit in pooled water.

Use a potting mix specially formulated for indoor plants such as Gro-Sure Houseplant Potting Mix.

How to Repot Your Houseplants

1. First, in its old pot, water the plant well and allow it to drain.
2. Place a layer of Gro-Sure Houseplant Potting Mix in the base of the new pot and gently remove the plant from its old pot holding it carefully close to the base.
3. Place the plant on top of the layer of potting mix in the new pot, ensuring the top of the root ball is slightly below the rim of the new pot (~1-2 cm).
4. Fill in around the root ball with potting mix, gently tapping the pot to ensure all air gaps are filled.
5. Water well in the new pot and leave to drain.
6. Insert a Gro-Sure Houseplant Watering Indicator into the potting mix so that you know when to water the plant.

See also How to Re-Pot Orchids.

David Brittain
Kiwicare