How to Repot a Plant

The plants that are purchased in stores will need to be repotted. The plants outgrow the pots they are originally planted in by the greenhouses. The roots of the plants will begin to grow through the drainage holes in the bottoms of the pots. The leaves on the plants will begin to turn yellow and die due to not having enough room for the roots to grow.

At this point, the plant has outgrown its original pot. Once the plant has reached this stage of growth in its original greenhouse pot, it either needs to be repotted or it will die in the current pot.

No one wants their newly purchased plant to die. The time that you spent searching for the perfect plant will need to be given a new place to grow in order for it to survive. This is why you will need to repot the plant you have chosen.

MaterialsforRepottingYourPlant

Repotting a plant isn't rocket science, but it does require the possibility of getting your hands dirty and a little wet.

• PottingSoil. You will need to purchase at least an 8-pound bag of potting soil. The size of the bag of potting soil will depend on the size of the pot you are going to use to repot the plant.

• PlantPot. You will need to have a flower or plant pot twice the size of the current pot your plant is in. This will allow the plant more room to grow, and the roots to spread.

• PlantFoodorSpikes. It is best to feed the plant after you have transplanted the plant in its new pot. This will help the plant to grow, and the roots to continue on their path.

• Water. You will need to water your plant after repotting. This is a very critical stage due to the potting soil being dry.

If you wish not to get your hands dirty or wet, wear a pair of gloves and use a small trowel to place the potting soil into the pot.

DirectionsforRepottingYourPlant

Each of the plant's containers have general sunlight and soil moisture directions. The instructions for sunlight will read something similar to direct sunlight or indirect sunlight. The soil moisture instructions will read keep moist or something similar.

You will want to fill the pot three-quarters full of potting soil. You will want to make a hole deep enough to place the roots of the plant in.

Remove the plant from its original plastic pot. You can do this by gently squeezing the pot to release the plant and its roots from the pot. You will want to gently squeeze the roots of the plant to loosen them from the compacted soil and the intertwining of the roots. This will allow the roots to spread out through their new pot.

Place the roots into the hole that you created. Cover the roots with potting soil. You will need to add enough potting soil to cover the root ball of the plant. This will also help keep the plant in place.

You will want to mix the plant food with water if you have purchased the powdered form. Mix the water and plant food per the instructions. Use the liquid plant food following the instructions on the bottle.

Water and feed your plant right after you have repotted it. Then follow the directions on the container for further feedings. You will want to keep the soil damp in order for the plant to survive.

Once your plant has taken to its new soil and pot you will begin to notice growth in the plant. There will be additional height and leaves showing as the plant grows.