On average, succulent houseplants have completely rooted their pot and are repotted every 2 years. For fast-growing species this may be necessary every year, while slow-growing specimens may take up to 5 years. In this guide you can read when and how to transplant succulents professionally.
When and how should you repot succulents?
To repot succulents professionally, choose a date in spring. Repot the plant into a larger pot with drainage and drainage. Remove old substrate, cut off diseased roots and place the plant in the middle of fresh soil. After repotting, the succulent rests in a partially shaded location for eight days.
Best date is in spring
Changing to a new pot with fresh succulent soil means pure stress for any succulent. A time in the middle of the summer growing season therefore only makes sense in emergencies. The phase between the end of winter dormancy and the beginning of the main growing season is more suitable.
Instructions for repotting succulents - this is how it works
If roots and side shoots reach close to the edge of the pot, it is high time to move to a larger pot. The diameter should be large enough so that there is one to two finger-widths of space between the root ball and the edge of the pot. Please only use containers that have one or more openings in the bottom for water drainage. How to proceed step by step:
- Spread pottery shards or expanded clay on the bottom of the pot as drainage
- Place a water- and air-permeable fleece over it
- Pour in a first layer of succulent soil and press it down
- Unpot the plant and remove the old substrate
- Cut off damaged, diseased roots with a disinfected knife
- Place in the middle of the fresh soil
While you hold the succulent in place with one hand, fill in the fresh soil with the other hand. It is important to note that the previous planting depth is retained. Press the substrate a little to ensure a good soil seal. Freshly repotted succulents can recover from stress in a partially shaded location for 8 days. Then restart your usual care program.
Tip
Repotting cacti with strong thorns poses a high risk of injury. Although these succulents are not poisonous, they can still cause infections if they prick your skin with their spines. Therefore, please wear thorn-proof gloves (€9.00 on Amazon). Small cacti can be easily held with barbecue tongs. Hold large specimens between two polystyrene plates without coming into contact with the sharp spines.
