Terracotta, ceramic or plastic: choosing a pot
Each pot material holds water differently. How to match the pot to the plant, the room and how often you water.
When and how to repot a plant
Signs your plant has outgrown its pot, and a step-by-step guide.
Most indoor plants need a bigger pot every one to two years. The signs are easy to spot: roots growing out of the drainage hole, water running straight through without soaking in, or a plant that has stopped growing despite good light.
The best time to repot in Bengaluru is February to May, when plants are growing actively. Avoid repotting in the middle of the monsoon, when roots are slow to recover.
Choose a pot only 5 cm (about 2 inches) wider than the current one. A pot that is much bigger holds too much wet soil around a small root ball. Make sure it has a drainage hole.
Water the plant the day before. Tip it out gently, holding the base of the stems, and loosen the outer roots with your fingers. Trim any black or mushy roots. Put a layer of fresh potting mix in the new pot, set the plant at the same depth as before, and fill around it, pressing lightly. Water well and keep it out of direct sun for a week while it settles. If you would rather not get your hands dirty, our gardeners do repotting visits for ₹299.
