The time will eventually come when your lovely succulents require a new home. But why do succulents need repotting?

There are a few reasons your plant needs a new pot, and most are easy to spot. Whatever the reason, repotting offers an opportunity to refresh and relocate! A chance to give more nutrients, propagate plant babies, and provide a sturdier or larger pot.

Ready to give your succulents a new home to boost their growth? Learn to repot a succulent to keep it thriving!

Materials Required

Repotting succulents and cactuses, cement pot and watering can on wooden background

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Before you start tipping your succulents upside down, prepare for proper potting! Have these materials nearby to make a seamless repotting experience.

  • New pot (larger or of sturdier material)
  • Potting soil mixture
  • Watering can
  • Gardening gloves (optional for those who like to get their hands dirty!)

Step 1 – Determine if Your Succulent Needs Repotting

Various succulents growing together in a pot

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Repotting a succulent helps increase its potential. This transfer to a new home is a time to replace the soil and encourage a greater chance of longevity. That said, it is important to know when to repot your succulent.

First, determine if your succulent needs repotting by checking if the roots are coming out of the topsoil. Next, give it a flip. Are there roots visible in the drainage holes of your pot? If this is the case, a new pot is necessary. Visible roots are a sure sign your plant has outgrown its home and needs to expand!

There are other ways your succulent will tell you it needs a new pot. These include stunted growth, yellowing leaves, or producing plant babies. 

It is necessary to also consider the when you repot. Spring and early summer are best for repotting. These seasons allow time for your succulent to adjust to its new space while in an active growing phase.

Pro Tip: Though repotting is an excellent solution to fix many plant issues, consider the amount you water your succulent. Too much water is also a likely culprit for yellowing and loss of leaves. Before repotting, try reducing your watering amounts to see if that solves the problem. 

Step 2 – Find Your Succulent’s New Pot

aloe vera with roots in ground repot to bigger clay pot indoors. care of plants. planting succulent on wooden background. gardening concept. repotting plant

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There are plenty of quaint, quirky, or cute pots to choose from to match your style and preferences. What you decide to repot your succulent in is up to you -- as long as it has good drainage! 

The other main thing to consider is the size of the pot. Plants commonly require repotting because they have outgrown their old pot and need more room to develop. Seek out a pot that is a size larger than your succulent’s current home.

Though you need a bigger container, do not choose one vastly larger than the existing one. Doing so leads can lead to overpotting. Overpotting is when a pot is too large, causing growth issues or root rot.

Step 3 – Fill Your Pot with New Soil

succulent in pot with soil on the table around it

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New pot, new soil! Once you've selected a new pot, it's time to ready the new space! The key to preparing a perfect new home for your succulent is a healthy, rich, and well-draining soil

This type of soil is vital because water left lingering around the roots can lead to root rot. Well-draining soil for succulents includes a mixture of potting soil with perlite, pumice, or sand. The mix must include key nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen for optimal growing.

There are many pre-made potting mixtures made specifically for succulents. Keep an eye out for these at gardening stores. Alternatively, you can make your own! If making your own, use two parts potting soil, one part sand, and one part perlite or pumice.

Add this fresh soil to the new pot, leaving plenty of space for the plant's root ball. And remember to never compact the soil! Leaving it loose will make it easier for your plant to grow, and let water drain easily. 

Step 4 – Remove Your Succulent From its Pot

Succulent pulled out of pot resting on table ready for repotting

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Now comes the time to move!

Carefully tip your succulent pot upside down, using your hand to support the base of the plant. If it is stuck, squeeze the pot or gently poke through the drainage holes to coax the plant out.

Tipping is not ideal for succulents with longer hanging leaves and stems, such as a burro’s tail or string of pearls. This new direction of gravity damages the plant and releases too many leaves. Instead of tipping, ease these plants out by placing your hand around the base. Using a gentle twisting and pulling motion, remove the plant. If it still refuses to budge, try poking upwards through the drainage holes.

Step 5 – Shake off Old Soil and Propagate Plant Babies

Home gardening woman planting new succulent hawthoria plant in apartment indoor garden planter. Repotting rootbound plants in potting soil.

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When your plant is out of its previous pot, use this opportunity to shake out the roots -- gently!

Dry or old soil often clings to and within the root system. Gently shaking or spreading the roots will allow old debris to fall out. Remember that you do not have to take off all the old soil. In fact, leaving some of the old soil helps ease your plant’s transition into the new pot.

Has your succulent produced little plantlets of its own? Now is the perfect time to propagate those plant babies! For some succulents, it is as easy as dividing the new plant’s root system from the parent plant.

For other succulents, propagation includes using clean and sharp scissors or shears to cut off the attached plantlet. Always propagate with care, ensuring not to damage or harm your vulnerable parent plant.

Step 6 – Put Your Succulent in the New Pot

Healthy succulent in a terracotta pot

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The pot is ready and waiting with nutritious soil for your succulent. All you have to do is pop it in!

Gently place your plant into its new, larger home, holding it in the spot you prefer. Using your soil mixture, fill in the gaps in the pot. Add enough soil to fully cover the succulent's root system and almost to the top of the container. Stop filling the soil at about a ½-inch from the top. 

Just like that, you've repotted your succulent!

Start Repotting!

The key to repotting your succulents is fresh soil and a good pot. Once you have those materials in hand, the rest falls into place.

Fill your new pot, tip out your plant, place your succulent, and add more healthy soil. After your succulent is in its new home, enjoy the fresh and rejuvenated beauty it offers!

Still looking for ways to boost your succulent’s growth throughout the year? Find out other ways to revive your succulent!

Happy growing!