Succulent plants are drought-resistant plants, which means they need a very little water to survive. Repotting is also essential for succulent plants. Just because they can survive with little care doesn’t mean they should be completely neglected. In this article, we show you how to repot a cactus, a christmas cactus and an aloe plant, which are the most popular succulents.
The best time to replant succulent plants is in early spring. These types of plants are most active in the spring and live their quiet lives in the winter. So the best decision when repotting succulents is to do it just before spring, to give them enough time to acclimatize to their new location.
What do you need to know about repotting a succulent?
To ensure you keep your succulent happy, you need to follow some rules such as time when to repot, the soil mix you will move you plant into or the neccessary tools.
When should you repot succulent plants?
Be sure to replant if you notice any of the following reasons.
- Overgrown roots: The most important and most visible reason for replanting is overgrown roots. These can be seen with the naked eye. As the roots grow, they can no longer reach further, so they make their way into the pot and one thing they know is that they grow upwards, out of the ground. This is dangerous for the succulent.
- Over-fertilisation: The succulent has been given too many nutrients and cannot absorb them. This may not seem like a big problem at first, but the excessive vitamins damage the plant, which is why it is knocked to the surface.
- The succulent is getting bigger: This is accompanied by overgrowth of the root. The bigger the plant, the bigger the root. You can see the larger plant at first, but you have to keep an eye on it, because during this time the root is also growing.
- Compacted soil: After a while, watering will compact the soil and water will not run down to the roots, but will remain on the surface. This usually indicates poor soil quality or little drainage in the soil.
What time of the year should you repot succulent plants?
The repotting of succulents is seasonal, similar to other varieties, so the best time is early spring. In spring, succulents are more active, they become stronger and grow new roots. For this reason, replanting should be done directly in early spring to give the succulent enough time to grow new roots.
Repotting succulent plants is not recommended in winter, as they are dormant and have much less tolerance. In any case, wait until spring to make sure you don’t do any damage.
How often should you repot your succulent plants?
Due to the growth of succulent plants, these plants need to be replanted every one and a half to two years. This is only the case if the new pot is about twice the size of the previous one. It is important to watch for the appearance of the root in the soil, as this is the most telltale sign that you need to repot your succulent plant.
What tools are needed to replant succulents?
The essential items for repotting succulents can be read below:
- New pots: The new pot must be significantly larger than the existing one. In general, the new pot should be one and a half to two times the size of the existing one.
- Fresh soil: As the new pot will be bigger, you’ll need to put in more soil, so get new, fresh, nutrient-rich soil.
- Knife (optional): You need a knife to loosen or cut the roots, but you don’t necessarily need to use one, because your succulent may not have roots that are clumped together.
What soil mix for repotting succulents?
A well-draining soil mix is the best choice for succulent plants. As mentioned above, do not flood the plant with water. However, attention should also be given not to allow the soil to drain too quickly. A suitable soil mix is sandy and may contain pumice and perlite. These materials cause the water to run off correctly. If the run-off is too fast, the roots may rot.
Should you repot succulent plants after buying them?
No, you must not repot succulent plants after buying them. When a new plant moves to a new place, it takes a lot of stress and energy for it to get used to its new location. Its place is perfectly suitable and it only needs to be replanted when it is visibly unable to take root and is pushing its way to the surface.
Should you water your succulents after replanting?
No, you shouldn’t water your succulent plant after repotting. To avoid overwatering or root rots, after repotting you shouldn’t water the succulent plant. You need to wait a few days to ensure the plant is happy and growing. After this you can water it safely. Then you need to water again when it the soild is fully dry and even the plant leaves are starting to turn brown.
How to repot succulent plants?
However it is not very common and hard to do, you can kill your own succulent if you don’t follow the below steps properly. The steps for replanting succulent plants into pots are described below.
How to repot aloe plant?
To repot your Aloe plant, carefully remove it from its pot by tapping the bottom and gently sliding it out, avoiding leaf damage. Untangle any circling roots and trim excessively long ones if needed. Optionally, separate any pups from the parent plant for better growth. Prepare the new pot with gravel for drainage and fill it one-third full with potting mix. Center the Aloe in the new pot and fill the sides with more soil, leaving space at the top for watering. Water sparingly to settle the soil and prevent root rot.
How to repot a cactus?
To repot a cactus safely, use a towel to remove it from its pot, protecting your hands from spines. Be cautious to avoid damaging it. Cleaning the roots with a wooden stick ensures proper growth direction. Center the plant in the new pot, avoiding planting it too deep to prevent rot. Fill the pot with soil mix, leaving space for decorations, and use a stick to ensure proper soil placement without touching it directly.
How to repot a christmas cactus?
To repot the Christmas cactus, carefully extract it from its current pot using controlled pressure or a blunt-edged knife. Prepare the new pot by placing an appropriate amount of potting mix at the base, ensuring the root ball sits level with the rim. Gradually fill the perimeter with more soil, incorporating compost for added nutrients. Finish with a top dressing of succulent mix and compost for a polished look. Water gently to settle the soil and quench the plant’s initial thirst.
