If you’ve ever rooted a plant in water and then transplanted it into soil and it died, this video will help you. In the prior video, this hoya plant was transitioned from water roots to soil roots gradually. See how the plant is doing now. The hoya, who we name Shelly, has created sufficient soil roots to be able to be transplanted into a pot with soil, which we do in this video.
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Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors! If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below. Today, we are going to check in and talk about how to transplant plants grown in water into soil. This is part two of the series.
Right now, I have a beautiful Hoya to show you that I rooted in water. As I explained in the last video, water roots are not the same as soil roots, so we had to get the plant to create soil roots to transition it into growing in soil. Hoyas, along with many plants, can be grown hydroponically in water for a while. You can grow them in a jar of water, as I did in the previous video. However, unless the plant is specifically suited to hydroponic growth, you’re often better off transitioning it into soil for fuller, healthier growth.
Could I have planted it directly into soil while it had water roots? Perhaps, but it may not have succeeded. Many people have tried transferring plants with water roots into soil, only to have them fail because the roots couldn’t adapt. That’s why it’s important to help the plant develop soil roots.
You can see here through the glass that soil roots are thicker and whiter than water roots. After transitioning it gradually from water to soil, this Hoya has developed healthy soil roots, so it’s now ready for a pot of soil alone. For a few weeks, I kept it in mostly soil while maintaining moisture for the water roots, allowing the soil roots to take over. The water roots have now essentially disappeared, replaced by thicker soil roots. However, it’s essential to move the plant into a container with drainage holes to prevent root rot.
As you can see, I have several pot choices here. Based on my two-thirds plant-to-one-third pot rule, I want to avoid having too much soil, as that can lead to rot. Although there are visible roots, this plant still has a relatively limited root system, so I won’t put it in a pot that’s too large. I’ve prepared some options here, including a deeper pot for when the plant grows more roots.
You’ll notice I have some drywall tape here, which I use in place of screening to cover the pot’s drainage hole, preventing soil from washing out. I also pre-moistened the soil, as I recommend in my repotting series. I’ll add a small amount of my Green Gourmet houseplant food, an organic plant food with a 3-2-2 NPK, along with some worm compost to further enrich the soil. This mild fertilizer is safe for the plant since it has been in this soil mixture for a while, but I always recommend caution to avoid burning delicate roots.
To transition the plant from the jar, I’ll carefully loosen the roots. It’s best to work gently, using tools like a plastic knife to loosen the soil around the edges. You may even add more water to help loosen the soil. Patience is key in this step—forcing the plant can damage the roots.
After freeing the plant, I’ll place it in the chosen pot, cover the drainage hole, and add soil around the edges, being careful not to compact it too tightly. I leave a quarter-inch gap around the rim to prevent overflow when watering. The two-thirds root-to-one-third pot ratio helps ensure optimal root growth and stability.
Finally, after repotting, I water the plant thoroughly to ensure the soil settles without sinking the plant too deep. Once watered, I may place it back on the heating mat for a few more days to encourage strong root growth, though it can also thrive in a permanent spot with bright light near a window or under full-spectrum lighting.
I’m happy to introduce this new plant, Shelly the Hoya, to the community. We’ll check in with Shelly in a month or two to see her progress. Thank you for joining me today! Feel free to leave comments with questions or suggestions for future videos. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video, and click the bell to be notified of new releases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the benefit of transplanting plants from water to soil?
Transplanting plants from water to soil allows them to develop stronger, healthier root systems suited for soil growth, leading to fuller and healthier plants.
Can you plant a water-rooted plant directly into soil?
It’s possible, but the plant may struggle to adapt. Water roots are different from soil roots, and transitioning gradually helps the plant develop roots suited for soil.
What are soil roots, and why are they important?
Soil roots are thicker and whiter than water roots, making them better suited to draw nutrients from soil. Developing soil roots is essential for successful transplanting.
Why is it important to use a pot with drainage holes?
Pots with drainage holes prevent root rot by allowing excess water to drain, which is vital for maintaining healthy roots.
What size pot should I use for a newly transplanted plant?
It’s best to choose a pot that’s about two-thirds the size of the plant. Using too large a pot can lead to excess moisture and root rot.
How can I prevent soil from washing out through the drainage hole?
Cover the drainage hole with drywall tape or screening to keep soil from washing out while maintaining proper drainage.
Should I fertilize a plant immediately after transplanting it from water to soil?
Yes, but use a mild fertilizer to avoid burning the delicate roots. Organic options like worm compost and low NPK fertilizers are ideal for new transplants.
What’s the best way to loosen roots when transplanting?
Gently loosen the roots using tools like a plastic knife, and consider adding water to make the soil easier to remove without damaging the roots.
How tightly should I compact the soil when transplanting?
Avoid compacting the soil too tightly. Leave a quarter-inch gap around the rim of the pot to prevent overflow when watering.
Is additional heating beneficial after transplanting?
A heating mat can help encourage strong root growth immediately after transplanting, though bright light near a window or full-spectrum lighting will also help the plant thrive.
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