Succulents are famous for being the ultimate “low-maintenance” roommates. They’re tough, beautiful, and generally pretty chill about their growing pace. But even though these water-storing pros don’t demand much, there is one thing you can’t skip if you want them to thrive: repotting.
Repotting Succulents: Know Your Growth Type
On average, most succulents will completely fill their pots with roots after about two years. However, not all succulents move at the same speed! Fast growers might need a new home after just one year, while the slow-and-steady types can happily hang out in the same pot for up to five years before they get root-bound.
Repotting Succulents: Spring is Moving Season
Moving to a bigger pot—whether your plants live on the balcony, the patio, or in the garden—is a bit of a stressful event for any succulent. They need a little “settling in” time to get comfortable in their fresh substrate.
Because of this, you’ll want to avoid repotting during the peak summer growing season. During that time, your plant needs a stable environment to soak up nutrients. Instead, aim for early spring. This is the perfect “sweet spot” between their winter dormancy and the start of their big spring growth spurt.
Repotting Succulents: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you see roots or side shoots pressing against the edges or poking out the bottom of the pot, it’s officially moving day. Choose a new container that’s just slightly larger—you want about two fingers of space between the root ball and the rim. Most importantly, make sure your new pot has drainage holes!
Here’s how to get the job done:
- Start by placing a layer of expanded clay pebbles or coarse terracotta shards at the bottom of the new pot for drainage.
- Cover that with a piece of water-permeable landscape fleece or mesh.
- Add your first layer of succulent soil and press it down firmly.
- Gently remove your succulent from its old pot and shake off the old soil from the roots.
- Use a sharp, sterilized knife to trim away any mushy, diseased, or damaged roots.
- Center your succulent on top of the fresh succulent mix.
- Hold the plant steady with one hand while filling in the gaps with more soil using the other.
- Press the soil down well to ensure the roots have good contact with their new home.
Once the move is finished, give your plant about eight days to recover in a spot with partial shade. After that, you can go right back to your usual care routine!
