What is the Difference Between Repotting and Potting Up? / Viewer Inspired

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Today, we have another installment of houseplant terms, and today’s term was inspired by a viewer, Chelsea Smile. She asked, “When we’re talking about repotting, what’s the difference between re-potting and potting up?”

That is a really good question, and it really needs to be differentiated. It’s a very fine line sort of a question, but it is important when you’re caring for your houseplants.

So, potting up usually means to pot up into the next size pot that your plant is ready for. Re-potting can also mean potting up. You could be repotting into a bigger size pot, or you could simply be re-potting in the same size pot.

There are times when you would want to repot in the same size pot. That would be, for example, with plants like African violets. They often need re-potting quite frequently, and they also need fertilizer frequently too. It’s not necessarily because they’ve outgrown their pot, but the reason they usually need re-potting is that they use up a lot of the nutrients in the soil to create their gorgeous flowers for you.

So, in that case, a lot of the time with African violets, you’re simply re-potting in the same pot using new soil. However, sometimes it might look like the African violet has outgrown that pot. In that case, you will repot and pot up.

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Houseplant Terms: Repotting vs. Potting Up

What is the difference between repotting and potting up?

Potting up usually means moving your plant into the next size pot that it is ready for. Re-potting can also mean potting up, but it can also refer to simply repotting the plant in the same size pot with new soil.

When would you repot in the same size pot?

Some plants, like African violets, may need frequent repotting. This is not always because they have outgrown their pot, but because they use up the nutrients in the soil. In this case, you would repot in the same size pot but with fresh soil.

When do you pot up?

If your plant looks like it has outgrown its pot, such as an African violet, you will need to repot it into a larger pot. This is known as potting up.

How often do African violets need repotting?

African violets need frequent repotting due to their high nutrient requirements, especially for their vibrant flowers. Repotting ensures they continue to thrive in fresh, nutrient-rich soil.

Do African violets also need regular fertilizer?

Yes, African violets often require regular fertilization to support their frequent blooming and overall growth.

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