Frequent Repotters: Houseplants You Need to Repot More than Others

Find out which houseplant require repotting more than others. The plants that require frequent repotting include palms, spider plant and African violet. Discover how often some plants need to be repotted.

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Hello, and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening and the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll see in the description below. You’ll also find links to any videos I mention in this video. Today, I’m going to talk to you about plants that need more frequent repotting than others. Many houseplants can grow in the same pot for years, especially if you’re taking good care of them, watering correctly, and fertilizing. If you top-dress occasionally, you can prolong the need for repotting. I have a video on top dressing, which refers to adding soil to the top of the plant; this can help you through periods when you need to repot but don’t have the time.

These are some plants that need more frequent repotting. I know repotting takes time, planning, the right pot size, and materials. To simplify, it can be helpful to do the repotting in groups due to the preparation involved. However, if you’re prioritizing, here are some frequent “repotters” that may need your attention sooner.

This is Lucy, the spider plant who’s been in many videos. She is doing well and will need repotting in the next month or so. Spider plants grow well and develop daughter plants that hang down from the mother plant. These plants outgrow their pots faster than others when they’re thriving. Another frequent repotter is the African violet, both the standard and mini types. The main reason African violets need repotting is that they use up the soil nutrients quickly to support their beautiful flowers. Even if you fertilize, repotting is essential. I recommend repotting every six months minimum for African violets; waiting a year can result in fewer flowers or none at all.

Mini African violets benefit from even more frequent repotting, approximately every three months. Fortunately, they’re small, so it doesn’t take too long to repot them. Another plant that benefits from frequent repotting is the palm. Palms need it because they use up the nutrients in the soil and will start to yellow if not repotted every six months. For larger pots and palms, you might be able to wait longer.

This is a philodendron with lime-colored leaves, a revival plant that was recently repotted and is doing well. Philodendrons, along with pothos, benefit from regular repotting if you want them to grow faster. Pothos can stay in the same pot for years, but they will grow more slowly. If you repot pothos every six months, they will grow faster and fill out nicely.

Pot size matters in terms of how frequently you’ll need to repot. Smaller plants tend to grow more quickly until they reach a mature size, at which point they slow down, needing less frequent repotting. Here is a dracaena, also known as a corn plant, which I repotted recently. Dracaenas grow faster in smaller pots, so they will need to be repotted more often. Crotons are another frequent repotter, and they can grow quickly when well-cared for.

One plant not here but also needing frequent repotting is the Boston fern. Boston ferns grow faster than other ferns and often need repotting sooner. When choosing plants, consider how often they need repotting. For example, compare the Boston fern with the maidenhair fern; while both grow well, the Boston fern grows faster and needs more frequent attention.

If you’ve ruled out factors like proper lighting, watering, and fertilizing, and your plant is still struggling, it may be time to repot. Sometimes you only need to repot in the same size pot with fresh soil, keeping the two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio. Avoid repotting into a pot that’s too large, as this can lead to root rot. If you’re in love with a particular pot, you may only need to refresh the soil instead of upsizing. Moving to a large pot to avoid frequent repotting isn’t advisable because it may lead to root rot, as the plant isn’t ready for that much space.

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FAQ: Frequent Repotting for Houseplants

What is frequent repotting for houseplants?

Frequent repotting refers to the need for some houseplants to be transferred to new pots more often than others. This is often necessary because these plants use up nutrients quickly or outgrow their pots faster than others.

Why do some houseplants need frequent repotting?

Houseplants that grow quickly or consume more soil nutrients often need frequent repotting. For example, plants like African violets, spider plants, palms, and Boston ferns require repotting to stay healthy and maintain their growth rates.

Which plants need repotting more often?

Some common houseplants that need more frequent repotting include spider plants, African violets, mini violets, palms, philodendrons, pothos, dracaenas (like corn plants), crotons, and Boston ferns.

How often should African violets be repotted?

African violets should be repotted every six months to ensure they receive adequate nutrients. Mini African violets may need repotting as often as every three months.

Why do spider plants need repotting?

Spider plants often outgrow their pots quickly when thriving, especially as they produce “daughter” plants. Repotting helps manage their growth and keeps them healthy.

Do palms require frequent repotting?

Yes, palms need frequent repotting, usually every six months. They absorb soil nutrients rapidly, and repotting helps prevent yellowing due to nutrient depletion.

What is the best pot size for frequently repotted plants?

Using an appropriately-sized pot is essential for frequently repotted plants. Choose a pot that’s only slightly larger than the current one to avoid root rot. Small pots are beneficial as they promote faster growth until the plant reaches maturity.

When is it time to repot my plant?

Signs that a plant may need repotting include slowed growth, yellowing leaves, or lack of response to watering and fertilizing. Repotting with fresh soil in the same or slightly larger pot can help revive the plant.

What is the recommended plant-to-pot ratio for repotting?

Maintaining a two-thirds plant to one-third pot ratio is ideal. This helps prevent root rot and allows for better growth without overwhelming the plant with excess soil.