Choosing the “correct” pot for your new plant may seem like a daunting task, but once you know what to look for it can also be so rewarding for your plants! Spring is the perfect time of year to repot your plants for a variety of reasons. So whether you have a new plant baby that needs a home or a whole collection ready to be repotted, you’ll want to keep reading! Today, we’re going to break down the key factors you should consider when pairing plants and pots together and why Spring is the best time to get planting!
This time of year is ideal when repotting your plants because the days are longer and your plants are already entering a period of new growth. For plants (and some people too!) more sun means happy and healthy growth. So it only makes sense to give your plants the best possible growing season with a larger home, fresh soil, and fertilizer!
First, let’s talk about how to know when it’s time to repot a plant. Plants show signs when they need a new home - we just have to pay attention! If your plant doesn’t seem to be growing or appears unhealthy, that’s always a good time to see what’s going on under the soil and give it a fresh start. Overtime, soil will become old and lose its ability to hold water or provide for your plant. Even if you aren’t doing anything wrong, your plant may still need a new home. For healthy plants, when roots are growing out of the drainage hole it’s definitely time! This is a sure sign your plants are ready for a bigger pot.
So, what size pot should you get? When repotting, you don’t want to increase the size of your pot too much. If you move your plant from a 6 inch pot to a 12 inch pot, there will be too much soil in relation to the roots of the plant. The roots will not be able to soak up water they cannot reach, leaving your plant to slowly die in soggy soil. Additionally, your plant will look small and unproportional in a pot that large! We always follow the 2 inch rule of thumb. When repotting, only increase the pot size by 2 inches! This gives your plants plenty of space to grow without shocking them too much.
The most important thing to consider, and the most confusing for new plant parents, is drainage. How water drains from your pot is important for both indoor plants as well as porch and patio planters. When you water your plants, that excess water needs somewhere to go or your plant will drown! If you think you don’t have excess water… you aren’t watering your plants enough! Whether it’s a citrus tree on your patio or a philodendron on your bookshelf, you want to see water running out of your pot!
So what if your pot doesn’t have a drainage hole? Many cute, decorative pots these days don’t include a drainage hole. We are big fans of leaving houseplants in plastic “nursery pots” and dropping them into decorative pots. This makes watering a breeze and allows you to switch plants between planters more easily as style and trends change.
This brings us to the final factor to consider, personal aesthetic. Pairing a cute pot or basket with your plant is a great way to incorporate color and texture in your space. For a more modern look, we recommend functional forms and solid colors, like these “Momma Pots.” Or, for a natural space, consider a woven basket, classic terracotta, or a rustic "Farmer's Pot" from Campania! If your style leans more eclectic and colorful, check out these bright and funky “Capra Pots.” No matter what you choose, the pot should elevate your plant and work for your plant parent lifestyle!
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