Can You Transplant Houseplants In The Winter

As they mature, plants prefer to be potted up into bigger containers. More dirt can feed the root systems in larger containers. Years of growing in a pot can cause plants to become root-bound, which can result in death. The opportunity to repot indoor plants in the winter allows the ardent gardener to avoid frostbite on their thumbs!

If you notice roots on the surface of your pots, that is a sign that your plant needs to be replanted. Another indication is the presence of roots emerging from the drainage holes at the base of your containers. Another indication that your plants are root-bound is slow growth. Look to check if the roots are wrapping around the pot’s edge. Repotting your plant is necessary if the roots are swirling around the rootball.

Make sure the pot you choose matches the decor in your house and is the right size for the plant. If you’re repotting, avoid using large pots. Generally speaking, you should make the present container two inches bigger. The roots may rot if the new pot is too large and can contain too much water. To allow water to permeate the soil, ensure that the containers include drainage holes. Choose a saucer that matches the new pot to protect your carpet or hardwood flooring.

As the planting media, use a premium potting soil blend that has been fertilized. For the majority of indoor plants, the potting soils from Espoma Organic are good choices.

Use the following tips to make repotting easy:

  • Remove the plant from its current container. To dislodge the plant, you might need to run a knife or trowel along the side.
  • If the roots are coiled, pull them apart or, if they are very root-bound, trim them.
  • After placing the plant in the center of the new pot and filling it with quality potting soil, add soil to the bottom of the pot.
  • Water deeply to settle the dirt and wet the roots.

After being replanted, it is normal for the plant to experience shock. While the plant heals, try to keep it out of direct sunlight for a few weeks and maintain a consistent moisture level in the soil.

When should indoor plants be repotted?

In order for a plant’s actively growing roots to have enough time to grow into newly added potting soil, the optimal time to repot it is in the spring. There are a number of indications that a houseplant is pot-bound.

When is it not advisable to repot plants?

Even though your houseplant is relatively new, you’re wondering if it needs to be repotted because it seems a little large for its current container. After all, the plant can’t continue to grow in the original pot, can it? Upgrade time must have come, but the question is: when?

My new indoor plants: should I repot them? Repot your new houseplant as soon as you get it if you’re adamant on doing so. The likelihood is high that you do not yet need to repot your plant if you have had it for less than a year. Some plants can survive for up to 18 months or more without needing a new pot. Repotting a plant too frequently can cause stress, which can cause wilting, leaf drop, and browning at the leaf tips. Proceed with caution!

How are indoor plants moved throughout the winter?

It’s time to bring indoor houseplants that spent the warm months vacationing outdoors now that the evening temperatures are dropping. Your sensitive tropical and subtropical plants are safest indoors when the nighttime temperature is 45 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.

Mandy Stanley, a ceramic artist and Pilates instructor from Acworth, Georgia, advises bringing indoor houseplants as a pleasure for you during the upcoming long winter days in addition to preserving them from impending death outside.

She adds, “I bring in herbs that I use for cooking all winter, such as thyme, oregano, chives, and tarragon, and I feel comfortable having all of the extra greenery home when the weather outside is cold and unpleasant.

The following guidelines should be kept in mind while bringing indoor houseplants in order to ensure their success over the winter.

1. Spray your plants vigorously with water outside, follow that with insecticidal soap, then allow the area to air dry. “This method is vital because it eliminates and destroys insect pests and their eggs,” adds Stanley. “Any pests on your plants will swiftly spread indoors and infest your indoor garden, multiplying quickly.

When can indoor plants be replanted?

The majority of houseplants can thrive for years in the same container. However, some quickly expanding species, like philodendron or pothos, may overflow their container and require repotting every few years. When the roots of a plant start to protrude through the drainage holes, it is usually time for a new pot. If water flows straight through the pot and out the drainage holes whenever you add moisture, that is another warning indicator.

Of course, some plants, like orchids and snake plants, don’t mind small spaces, but even they eventually require a new location as their roots entwine.

In general, the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing are the optimum times to repot your houseplant. Although it’s best to do it at least three to four weeks before bringing the plant indoors for the winter, you can also transplant plants in the fall. Your plant should adjust to its new container while it is still enjoying its summer break.

Check the roots of the plant after gently removing it from the pot. It’s time for an upgrade if they are knotted, firmly encircling the interior of the pot, or if a lot of the dirt is disappearing. Choose a container that is an inch or two wider than the one your plant is now in.

Pick the new pot wisely. Clay (terra-cotta) pots have a lovely appearance but are permeable, causing the soil to dry up more quickly. They are ideal for plants like succulents, cactus, orchids, ponytail palms, and snake plants that prefer quick drainage. In order to prevent them from sucking the water out of the soil, it is best to soak them in water for a few hours before planting. Use plastic containers with tropical houseplants like ferns, African violets, anthuriums, and spathiphyllum because they retain soil moisture longer. However, regardless of the kind of pot you use, make sure it has a hole in the bottom to let extra water drain out. Use a pot that is approximately two inches wider than the one your plant is currently in.

Use a high-quality commercial potting soil made for indoor plants; some soil blends are even available for particular plant species, such cacti or African violets. Useless to utilize garden soil. The ideal soil should be fluffy and light, with plenty of sterilized organic matter and compost to help retain moisture. Cheap potting soil may be excessively heavy and retain too much moisture, so it’s not always a good deal.

Soil should be added to the pot until the plant’s crown (where the roots meet the stem) is at the same height as it was growing before. To remove air pockets, gently compact the dirt around the roots and water. After planting, include a saucer to collect runoff. At this time, don’t feed your plants. In fact, you might want to wait until early spring to fertilize if you are repotting in the fall. Additionally, remember that a lot of potting soils already contain fertilizer, so you shouldn’t worry too much about feeding your plants right immediately.

Can plants be replanted in February?

The benefits of indoor plants for mental health are dear to Chris Collins, head of organic horticulture at Garden Organic. He thinks it’s crucial to include houseplants in the home for a wellbeing boost because we’ll be spending more time indoors this winter. With his advice on winter houseplant care, learn how to take care of your indoor plants.

Chris says, “I wouldn’t be without my indoor plants at home. ” They resemble flatmates in many ways. As you see them grow and form a personal connection with them, you get to know them as individuals. It’s a really straightforward joy.

“I also love reading in my “rainforest chair,” which is located in a hallway that I’ve decorated with houseplants. In the evenings, it truly helps me unwind. These plants impart a peaceful atmosphere by softening the hardness of the space. Although it is simple to take them for granted, I can’t picture living without them.

How should external factors, such as temperature, affect the way I care for my houseplants?

Due to the shorter days and decreased light levels in the winter, indoor plant development is noticeably slower. Houseplants can manage this without any problems, but it’s important to pay attention to watering and temperature conditions.

Leaves will drop or turn brown around the margins in response to sudden temperature fluctuations. Usually, the cure is as easy as being careful not to place your plants too close to heat sources like radiators.

Every two to three weeks is a decent rule of thumb to follow when watering over the winter, however this depends on the species. Houseplants won’t be drinking nearly as much during the winter months because they are dormant, and any extra water will merely sit in the soil.

Before watering, take sure to lightly press your fingertip into the soil to verify its moisture content. A modest drink is necessary if the plant is completely dry.

Should I repot my houseplants over winter?

There is no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to repotting houseplants, but I like to do it for mine in late February or early March. As the new growing season begins, this gives plants a boost that enables them to put on new root development.

My growth environment is best kept nice and open. I add some fine bark to the mixture because it improves drainage and keeps the soil from getting too damp. Repotting a plant in the fall is not an issue, but, if it is very root-bound in its current container.

What are the most common mistakes people make with winter houseplant care?

The biggest killer or weakener of indoor plants throughout the winter is overwatering. Weaker plants are frequently more prone to pests like scale, mealy bugs, or whiteflies.

Pick over any dead or decaying leaves and wipe any of these pests with a moist towel if they are present. Towards the conclusion of the summer, a good organic liquid feed with diluted seaweed extract will also promote a robust, more resilient plant.

It’s crucial to avoid subjecting your indoor plants to jarring temperature swings over the winter. Keep plants away from the major heat sources while the heating is turned up. Additionally, make sure they are not near a draft.

Which houseplants should I get this winter?

  • This winter, start your indoor plant collection with some tried-and-true favorites. Both the cheese plant (Monsteradeliciosa) and the rubber plant (Ficus elastica) are hardy individuals that will grow into colossal, regal plants.
  • Prayer plants (Calathea) and peace lilies (Spathyphyllum), both of which have lovely white flowering bracts, are excellent houseplants. They must be kept out of direct sunshine, and if they become overly dry, they will wilt, giving out a helpful warning that they need water. Every few years, in the dead of winter, remove them from their pots and divide them into different plants; they have numerous crowns and can thus be multiplied.
  • My final pick is the reliable Spider Plant (Chlorophytum). Because it overflows over shelf edges and has long stolons (stems) that bear tiny spider plants at their ends, this plant is ideal for a bookcase. To grow more plants, pieces of these “parachute” plants can be broken off and rooted in water.

Houseplants are frequently sold in subpar compost. When you have your plants, put them up in some good peat-free compost that has been diluted with some bark and loam. These plants will grow into healthy housemates if you pot them on each March.