How to Repot Succulents: The Easy Way

Succulents often have a thick, fleshy structure necessary to store water in them. They are probably the most drought-tolerant plants in the plant kingdom and can tolerate extreme heat too.

Not only are succulent plants extremely easy to care for and drought-tolerant but they are also very tolerant of being moved to different pots. No wonder succulent plants are the best and most recommended indoor plants of all time.

Rearranging them, looking for new pots, as well as playing with different color combinations and styles while repoting succulents always give invigorating pleasure.

Before we delve into how you can repot your succulents, let’s see why repotting is important for their overall health and when you should replant them.

  1. Why Should You Want to Repot Your Succulents

  2. When Should You Repot Your Succulents

  3. How to Repot Your Succulents

Why Should You Want to Repot Your Succulents?

Newly purchased succulents are not in soil suitable for long-term growth and they should be repotted as soon as possible. Leaving them in the rich, wet soil will cause them to die more quickly.

As succulents grow, they put off more roots until they are tightly packed. The roots need more space to grow, get better airflow, and have better access to the water they need, so if you notice the roots coming down the drainage holes, it is time to repot.

If you notice that your succulents are infested with bugs, do not hesitate to repot immediately, get rid of the old soil, and sanitize the pot.

If your succulents start outgrowing the pots they are in, then it is time to repot, or they will grow more slowly in tight arrangements.

When Should You Repot Your Succulents?

succulents

Spring or early summer is the best time to repot succulents when they are actively growing. Avoid repotting during the dormant winter months.

Most succulent plants need replanting every three to five years. The best time for repotting is at the beginning of the growing season since this will give your succulents plenty of time to recover from the shock of being replanted. In this way, they will also be able to retain more water and are less likely to rot.

Replanting in the winter is not recommended when damaging roots can mean the death of the plant.

How to Repot Your Succulents?

potted succulents

Step 1

As you pull your succulents out of their original pot, check all the parts (even those in the root ball). Check for any problems with the roots and examine the plant for bugs.

Step 2

Shorten the roots to one-third of the original length with scissors as it encourages new growth and shocks the plant. Be careful not to rip all the roots, though.

Step 3

Trim your plants, remove dead leaves, and separate new growth you’d like to plant elsewhere.

Step 4

Ideally, you want to use soil that provides good indoor plant breathing and good water retention. The soil for succulents consists of small akadama soil mixed with charcoal and sand. Add soil until the pot is about three-quarters full. Mix in a small handful of timed-release fertilizer.

Step 5

Make a hole in the potting mix, place the largest succulents in the middle, fill it with more miniature succulents, and stabilize it with soil.

If you want to have a few plants hanging over the edge of the pot, put them near the edge and use other succulents over their roots to hold them in place.

Step 6

Wait a day or two before watering your newly planted succulents carefully and moderately. It would help if you started watering them more liberally when the plants begin to grow again and the first buds appear.  

Step 7

The repotted plants should be put in a warm, shaded, humid place for a few days, away from direct sunlight. Once the newly potted plant has been established, you can place them under bright light.

Care Tips After Repotting Succulents

Watering and Care

watering semi succulent peperomia

  • Water the succulent sparingly after repotting to avoid overwatering and root rot.

  • Wait until the soil has completely dried out before watering again.

  • Provide the succulent with adequate sunlight based on its specific light requirements.

Post-repotting Maintenance

  • Avoid fertilizing the succulent immediately after repotting.

  • Resume regular fertilization after a few weeks when the plant has had time to adjust.

Monitoring and Observation

indoor, colorful succulent plants

  • Keep an eye on the succulent for signs of stress or overwatering, such as yellowing leaves or mushy stems.

  • Adjust watering and care practices accordingly to ensure the succulent’s health.

Remember, each succulent may have specific care requirements, so it’s important to research the specific needs of the succulent species you’re repotting. With proper attention and care, your succulents will thrive in their new pots.

Types of Succulents that are Easy to Repot

Echeveria

Echeveria succulent plant

Sedum

sedum succulent

  • Sedums, also known as stonecrops, come in a variety of forms and sizes.

  • They have shallow root systems, making them easy to repot.

Haworthia

Haworthia succulents

  • Haworthias are small succulents with distinctive rosette or star-shaped arrangements of leaves.

  • They are generally compact and straightforward to repot.

Aloe vera

aloe vera succulent plant in a gold plated pot

  • Aloe vera is a well-known succulent with medicinal properties.

  • It can be repotted easily due to its sturdy nature and shallow root system.

Crassula

Crassula succulent plant

  • Crassulas, commonly known as jade plants, are hardy and easy to care for.

  • They can handle repotting well and can even be propagated from stem cuttings.

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe

  • Kalanchoes feature vibrant, long-lasting flowers and fleshy leaves.

  • They are typically forgiving and can handle repotting with minimal stress.

Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)

Sedum morganianum @scottzona Sedum morganianum @scottzona

  • Burro’s Tail is a trailing succulent with thick, trailing stems covered in plump leaves.

  • It’s easy to repot, as its stems can be delicately handled.

Zebra Plant (Haworthia fasciata)

Haworthia fasciata succulent plant

  • Zebra Plants have distinctive white band-like markings on their leaves.

  • They are compact and easy to repot due to their shallow root systems.

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