Beginner’s guide on Repotting Succulents

Whether you are an avid gardener or new to plant-care, Succulents are the best choice. They are easy to take care of, and look amazing. However Repotting succulents is one of the important care routines that can be a bit challenging.  

Importance of Repotting Succulents

It’s time to replace your succulents in a mixed container if they’ve outgrown their container. Your plants have drained the soil and potentially removed all the nutrients if they’ve been in the same container for months or even years.

Even if the plants haven’t outgrown the pot, repotting into new succulent soil filled with fresh minerals and vitamins will benefit them.

Even if you fertilize, all plants that reside in containers need to have their soil changed on a regular basis. It is beneficial to the plants to have more space for their root systems to continue to grow. The size of the roots determines the size of the plant’s top section.

There are various reasons why it’s necessary to repot your succulents. But no matter what the reason is, it’s always best to do it right before their growing season, which usually happens in early spring or early fall to most succulents.

This way, the succulents will have enough time to recover from the potting.Repotting succulents may sound intimidating and difficult, but it does not take much effort if you know the right technique.

Read this article  to find out the important things you need to know about repotting succulents.

When Repotting Succulents Is Necessary

Before Repotting succulents you should know whether your succulents really need it or not. So here’s a few clear cut cases when you need to repot succulents. 

 Newly Purchased Succulents

When you get new succulents from a nursery you either get it in a plastic pot or plastic wrap. You want to transfer it to something nice. Don’t you? Terracotta and clay pot are best choices. 

Small Containers

Many times succulents grow and spread to the size of the circumference of the pot. Hence you need repotting succulents. Once succulent begins to lean or topple its sign that it needs to be transferred to a bigger pot.

Same Pot For Years

It’s thriving on soil that’s been around for a long time. In spite of the fact that the succulent may not require a larger container, it might benefit from a change of soil mix. Every four years is usually the right time for repotting succulents.

Soil Is Not Absorbing Water

The soil has lost its ability to retain moisture. Using a low planter bowl filled with densely packed succulents as an example, the water is unable to reach the plants. An overwatered succulent isn’t drying out. In many cases, replanting is all that is needed to salvage the situation.

Preparation For Repotting Succulents

Repotting succulents requires enough water, so make sure to give them plenty of it for at least a day or two before attempting repotting. 

Set up the new pot. No matter what type of container you choose as long as it is at least 10% larger in height and width than your plant, a decent drainage hole at the bottom is required. If this isn’t the case, you may drill one yourself. 

A high-quality soil mixture. The soil for repotting succulents  should be permeable and well-drained so that your succulents don’t remain in the water for lengthy periods of time. Making your own soil mixture is an option as well. 

A little shovel or trowel is used to remove soil. Using this tool, you may take the succulent out of its present container. Rather than using metal tweezers, you can repot small succulents or propagate buds and seeds using metal tweezers. 

Use Filters for coffee to cover drainage holes. Compared to other materials used as a filter, this is an excellent and cost-effective option.

 Step Wise Guide For Repotting Succulents

Step 1: Take Out The Plant From Its Old Pot First

The first step is to turn the plant over and grip the stem at the base. Shake the container a little after you’ve tapped the bottom of it. A stick or your hands can also be used to loosen the dirt and then gently lift the plant out of its old pot.

If you’re still having trouble getting the succulent out, try poking chopsticks into the drainage holes.

It’s also an option to carefully hammer the old pot to pieces instead. This would allow you to remove the plant from its previous pot without damaging its root system, despite the fact that you’d be sacrificing it for repotting succulents.

Step 2: Cleaning And Drying The Root System Is The Next Step

After you’ve removed the succulents from the old container, the following step is to brush or tickle the roots gently to remove as much soil as possible.

You should allow the roots to dry in a cool, dark spot for 3 to 5 days if you clean them with water.

The roots of your succulents can also be trimmed if they have grown too long. 

Step 3: Transfer The Plant To A New Container 

Here comes a final step for repotting succulents. Fill at least two-thirds of the new container with soil mix before planting your succulent.

As soon as that’s done, carefully lay the succulent in the center and thoroughly bury the roots with extra soil! To avoid rotting, make sure the succulent’s leaves are entirely above the soil.

Season For Repotting Succulents

Your succulents will be traumatized by the repotting process, and you want to give them the greatest possible opportunity of recovery.

In order to repot succulents, you need to wait until they are in their dormant stage, which is usually in the spring or summer. Summer-dormant succulents and winter-dormant succulents are the most common types of succulents. 

Repotting Succulents: Winter-Dormant 

Winter-dormant succulents are the ones that put on a burst of growth in the spring and summer months.. Early spring is the best time for repotting succulents  as they begin their growth period. 

Repotting Succulents: Summer-Dormant 

In the fall and winter, succulents that go into hibernation and in the summer begin to thrive. The best time for repotting succulents is in the early autumn.

Succulents For All Seasons 

• Succulents that rarely  go dormant fall into a third type. 
• Dormancy in succulents is triggered by adverse circumstances, such as excessive heat in the summer or freezing temperatures in the winter. 
• Perfect circumstances for repotting succulents may be created year-round in the comfort of one’s own home. 
• With the grow lamp, you can secure 12 or more hours of intense light and the consistent optimum temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C). 
• Succulents don’t become dormant if you continue to water them whenever the soil is dry, and fertilize them every four to six months.

Conclusion

Repotting succulents is rather a tricky task than technical one. First thing you need to assure is that your succulents really need repotting. It may need repotting when it has grown, it’s in the same container for years or not absorbing water properly. Next step is to choose the season according to the dormancy of succulents. Then follow carefully above mentioned steps to successfully repotting succulents.