How to Convert Houseplants Rooted in Water to Soil

Congratulations on successfully rooting a houseplant in water! However, before transplanting those healthy-looking roots into soil, it’s crucial to understand that water roots differ from soil roots. Water roots are thinner and more delicate, making them susceptible to damage when placed directly in soil.

Some plants adapt more easily from water to soil roots than others. If you’ve had trouble transitioning water-rooted plants to soil in the past, this guide will help ensure your repotting success. The key is to gradually transition the water roots to soil roots before potting up.

When to Begin: Start the transition process once the water-rooted plant has developed a root mass that’s at least 1/3 the size of the plant’s top growth.

Step-by-Step Transition Process:

1. Prepare the soil: Mix two parts high-quality potting soil with one part pumice. Add a tablespoon of worm compost, then moisten and mix well.
2. Fill a glass container (without drainage holes) with a small amount of the prepared soil.
3. Place the plant in the container, fanning out the roots.
4. Gently cover the roots with soil until the container is 1/4 full.
5. Fill the container with warm water to just below the brim, suspending the roots in muddy water.
6. To promote root formation, place the container on a plant heating mat under full-spectrum lighting. You can use a humidity dome or plastic bag to increase humidity, but allow periodic airing to prevent excess moisture.
7. Keep the container filled with warm water for the next week.
8. After 7 days, add more soil to fill the container 50% full, pouring out excess water as needed.
9. Keep the soil moist for another week.
10. You should begin to see new soil roots developing through the glass.
11. After 7 more days, add soil until the container is 2/3 to 3/4 full.
12. Maintain moist soil but begin reducing watering frequency.
13. After another 7 days, fill the container to the rim with soil. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
14. Continue maintaining moist (not soggy) soil as the roots grow.
15. When you see abundant new roots and new top growth, it’s time to repot into soil.

Final Repotting:

16. Carefully remove the plant from the glass container, preserving the root structure.
17. Repot into a container with moist, high-quality, well-draining potting soil.
18. Water thoroughly, then allow the soil to begin drying out before watering again.
19. Place the plant in an appropriate lighting condition for its species.
20. The plant has acclimated when you see new growth. After several new leaf sets appear, you can begin fertilizing with a low-NPK organic fertilizer.

This process typically takes 4-8 weeks, depending on the plant species, time of year, and your indoor growing conditions.