Taun and Maria share some tips for transplanting houseplants. (Canva)
SALT LAKE CITY – If you’re growing houseplants, there’s something you need to be familiar with, and that is transplanting.
Transplanting houseplants is something you have to do every so often, depending on the type of plant.
“Some houseplants will go for several years without needing it, and others need to be transplanted at least every other year,” Taun said.
Oftentimes when you go buy houseplants, you will already need to transplant them to a bigger pot. That’s because they have grown to look really big for the size of the pot they’re in.
One thing to note is that potting soil breaks down over time. It doesn’t hold nutrients and water for a long period of time, so the plants will dry out more quickly.
“It will compress a little bit, and it gets to the point that it’s not usable after two to three years,” Taun said.
What you should do is get a pot that’s wider and deeper and put in new potting soil. This will keep the plant healthier and more disease-resistant.
When Maria asked if you need to loosen the roots, Taun said it depends on how root bound the plant is. However, it’s usually not necessary.
Sometimes plants can go into shock when you’re transplanting them, so it’s important to try to disturb them less.
“Most plants will survive just fine, but all I would do is just get it into a new pot, and then give it a white houseplant fertilizer to help it re-establish some of those damaged roots,” Taun said.
Although plants don’t magically grow on their own, all it’s going to take for them to get through is some good, honest care.
Watch this video to see Taun’s demonstration on how to transplant a houseplant.
Listen to the full segment on our podcast below!
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