When Should I Repot Indoor Plants?

As your plants grow and prosper, the time will come when repotting will probably need to be considered. Actually flowering plants bloom best when the roots are rather pot-bound. But it is time to repot if the roots have started to grow out of the bottom of the pot and have formed a solid ball of roots. Large, well-established plants may need repotting about every second year, while rapid-growing young plants should be checked more often.
Choose a pot only a size or two larger than the old one. Either clay or plastic pots are suitable. In the event you desire to reuse a pot be sure that you wash it first. Hot sudsy water and a stiff brush will remove old soil and algae that may contain disease.
As for the soil to use, the condition or texture of potting soil usually demands greater consideration than its richness or nutrient content. For proper soil texture, a mixture of one-half loam, one-fourth sand and one-fourth peat moss or humus will satisfy most house-plant needs. Outdoor garden loam is generally too heavy for indoor plants.
Before repotting you will have to remove the plant from its old pot. It is best to do this when the soil is moist to avoid damaging the roots. A good way to get the plant out of its pot is to hold your hand on the soil, with the plant's stem between your fingers. Then turn the pot upside down and give the bottom of the pot a sharp knock. If the soil is moist. the entire root system should come out easily.
The following is a good procedure in repotting: First, cover the bottom of the new pot with a few large pieces of broken pot or pebbles. This will provide good drainage. Add a layer of potting soil. Then place the root ball of your plant on this layer and fill up around it with more soil. Press it down firmly and water well to settle the soil around the roots.
An effective way to water a newly potted plant is to immerse the pot up to its rim in a bucket of water. The water will enter the bottom of the pot through the drainage hole and will seep up through the soil. When the topsoil is moist you can be sure that the plant is properly watered. Set the newly potted plant in a shady spot for two or three days before returning it to your indoor garden.