Repotting houseplants and patio/balcony containers

Early spring is the ideal time to spruce up your indoor and outdoor potted plants. Once your fresh compost is ready, use it to refresh your pots and repot any plants whose roots are touching the edge of the container. It’s usually wise to move up by two pot sizes, as this often saves you from having to repot the following year—though this naturally depends on how fast each plant grows. New pots can also create an instant design statement and are far more affordable than redecorating an entire room.

Always begin with a layer of gravel for drainage, then add a few inches of compost, making sure there is enough space for the plant. Place the root ball into the pot and gently fill the gaps around it with compost. Finally, press the soil down firmly to give the plant a stable base. That’s it.

If a plant still has room to grow, simply remove a little of the old soil and top it up with fresh compost instead. This will ensure your plant stays happy and healthy until it has outgrown its pot.

Well-established plants are always hard to move/repot. The best chance of success offers an Earth Day around the New Moon.