‘Potting soil’ from a bag is a starting point, not a finish line. Most houseplants want a mix that holds some moisture but drains fast.
A great all-round aroid mix
When to repot — the checklist
Repot
Roots out the drainage holes
Root-bound
Repot
Water runs straight through
No soil left
Repot
Dries out in 1–2 days
Too cramped
Refresh
Every 1–2 years
Even if happy
How to repot without the stress
- 1
Size up gently
Choose a pot just 2–4 cm wider — too big and the soil stays soggy.
- 2
Loosen the roots
Tease the root ball apart so new roots grow outward, not in circles.
- 3
Fresh mix below & around
Sit the plant at the same depth as before and fill the gaps.
- 4
Water in
Water thoroughly to settle the soil, then hold off feeding for 4–6 weeks.
Best time to repot: early spring, just as new growth begins. The plant recovers fastest then.
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