How to Replant Succulents? Step-By-Step Guide

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When it comes to succulent plants, we can give you a few reasons why you need to replant them. So, today we will talk about each of them and share some helpful to replant succulents successfully.

So, whether you have grown succulents for years or even started, we have found there is always something new to learn. Thus to prevent you from feeling overwhelmed, you can easily care for your plants with some basics to allow everything to fall in place.

When Is It Time to Replant?

So when is it the right time to repot succulents? Well, quite a few signs can help you determine this. Yet, no matter the reason, the best time to repot your healthy plant is before the growing season starts.

This happens in early spring to early fall. Hence, it gives your succulent varieties a few weeks to recover from the repotting. Here are some tell-tale signs most succulents need a new home.

New Plants

succulent plant with babies in a white pot

When you bring your new plant home from the local nursery, it comes in a small container. Hence, it can hinder the growth of your plants. So, when you bring your plant baby home, we recommend transferring them to another planter within two weeks.

Choose a pot like a terracotta one to retain moisture while it has enough drainage holes to remove excess water.

Your Plants Roots Outgrow the Pot

succulent outgrowing its pot

The first sign is rooted when the roots outgrow the container, poking out the drainage holes. You will notice the space becomes tighter, and some surface roots appear.

The Soil Mix Dries Too Fast and Needs Fresh Cactus Soil

cactus soil mix

 When you need to water frequently, it is a sign that the water drains too fast, or you notice the water does not soak through. These are both concerns as water that becomes soggy in the pot can lead to root rot.

Your Plant Looks Unhealthy Resulting from Root Rot

unhealthy succulent plant

You have provided your succulent plant with enough sunlight and water, but the leaves still look soft, yellowing, and wilting. When you see this happen, it helps to inspect the plant for root rot, pests, or diseases.

If no signs are visible on the leaves, the best is to remove your plant from the pot. You can then check the roots and remove dead or unhealthy ones and provide them with fresh potting soil.

Many Succulent Varieties Start To Lean or Topple Over

succulent plants leaning over

When this happens, it does not signify that the roots are unhappy and need transferring. The only problem is that the top of your plant is becoming too heavy, requiring you to repot your plant into a heavier container to prevent it from toppling over.

Your Mother Plant Has Grown Babies or Offsets

flowering succulent plant with babies

Lastly, you can find many succulents growing a new baby or offsets called pups. Once your succulents produce a few offsets, it is the right time to separate them from the parent plant. You can then take these new plants and place them in new soil in their own containers.

As you can see, these are some of the main reasons why repotting succulents are important. Still, please do not repot succulents in the dormancy period. The reason is that it might disrupt the growing cycle and can harm your outdoor plants or your indoor plants.

How to Replant Succulents

Replanting succulents is easy, but you need some preparation before repotting them. So, there are a few essential things you need to do.

Gather Materials

succulent repotting materials

  • To successfully repot succulent plants, it helps to keep them hydrated by watering them at least a day or two before the time.

  • You can prepare a new container taller and wider than the previous one with ample drainage holes.

  • Invest in a good soil mix that is porous to allow the water to drain, or you can blend a mixture yourself.

  • Keep a small shovel or trowel on hand to help remove your succulent from the pot, as it also helps with repotting your smaller succulents. You can also use some metal tweezers to help with propagating succulents using seeds or buds.

  • Invest in some coffee filters as a cheap way to keep the drainage hole covered.

Steps to Repot Your Succulents

To help with the repotting process, we have some simple steps you can follow, and the best part is that the process works well with repotting other plants.

first step: removing your plant from the pot

Now that your bigger pot is prepared with fresh soil and you watered your plant a day or two earlier, this step should be more accessible. But, again, the best is to turn your plant sideways to grab it at the base of the stem.

Next, tap the container bottom and shake a bit. Alternatively, you can stick in your hands to loosen the soil. Then pull gently to remove it from the pot. Still, if you keep struggling, you can poke chopsticks through holes at the bottom to loosen the soil a bit more.

If all else fails, the best is to break your old container using a hammer, but please be careful not to hit the root system.

Remove the soil and dry the root system

Great, now that you have your plant out of the soil, the next part is to remove as much soil as possible, brushing it away.

You can also give the roots a little shake. Then the next step is to clean the roots using water. Still, you will then need to leave your plant in partial shade away from direct sunlight for up to five days for the roots to dry.

At this time, you can trim the long roots as well.

place your plant in a new pot with well-draining soil

 To prepare the new container, please fill it two-thirds with fresh soil. Then, place your plant in the middle, cover the roots with soil, and add more as needed. The important thing is to ensure that the succulent leaves remain above the soil.

Take Caution With the Following

holiday cactus flowering

When your succulent starts to flower, we do not recommend repotting it as it will stop the flowering process and might fall off. When repotting, it also helps not to overwater your plant right after it is placed in a new pot.

Final Thoughts

When repotting your succulents, it is not too hard when you have some basic guidelines. We hope the above replanting tips will help make reporting easier. Once you have provided your succulent with a new home, you will be surprised that it will grow beautifully.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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