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Every houseplant owner will know that there comes a time when the plant needs to be repotted. Martha Stewart perhaps knows this best, as an expert in all things gardening. To our delight, she has provided a primer on repotting plants for those who need to brush up on the essential steps.
‘I love container plants, and over the years I have amassed quite a collection of potted specimens,’ she states on her blog. ‘To keep them looking their best, it is important to check their condition regularly, feed and water according to their needs, and repot those that have outgrown their current vessels. My head gardener, Ryan McCallister, has been repotting a group of Chinese money plants, Pilea peperomioides – low-maintenance perennials with interesting coin-shaped foliage.’
From there, she goes on to detail how exactly the repotting process should go, from signs that it’s time to repot to the tools she uses.
Shop Potted Plant Must-Haves
Mini Houseplant Tools
This pack of mini houseplant tools have everything you need to pot up plants, aerate soil, dust houseplant leaves, and more. It comes with a canvas bag to house the tools.
Glass Plant Mister
Use this glass plant mister to spray houseplants that love extra humidity. In between use it looks gorgeous on a shelf or coffee table.
Soil Moisture Meter
Use this soil moisture meter to identify how much your houseplant’s soil has dried out. Simply place the probe into soil and read the meter number.
Martha says that looking at the roots will indicate whether it is time to repot or not.
‘Look at all the roots surrounding the root ball,’ she writes. ‘When roots become tightly packed and confined within the container, it is called root-bound – a condition that hinders the plant’s ability to grow and expand.’
After checking for signs of disease or infestation, you can place a clay shard over the drainage hole of the pot to prevent soil fallout.
‘For repotting, Ryan uses Miracle-Gro Tropical Potting Mix [available at Amazon],’ Martha states. ‘It is packed with nutrients that feed for up to six months and includes lava rock for added drainage that tropical plants and the Pilea peperomioides need. He wets it down first, so it is more supportive for the plants.’
She then suggests filling the pot to the rim, dipping the plant into some water so it is hydrated, and then placing the plant at the same height it was at previously in the pot.
With Martha’s clear, no-fuss guidance, repotting becomes less of a chore and more of a simple ritual that brings new life to your houseplants, helping them stay healthy, balanced, and thriving as they continue to grow. She’s the original influencer for a reason.
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