So, for many plants, consider repotting from late February through late October in the Northern Hemisphere, but not in November, December, January or early February. That said, there is an exception. plants that grow all year long can be repotted in any season.
If you're still unsure about going against the grain of springtime potting, make it a late winter task. Even the spring potting purists list late winter through fall (February through September or early October in the northern hemisphere) as acceptable times to repot a houseplant.
In general, the best time to repot your houseplant is during the spring and summer when the plant is in active growth. Fall is also a good time for transplanting, but try to do it at least three to four weeks before you bring the plant indoors for the winter.
However, if you've had your plant for less than a year, more than likely, you do not need to repot it yet. Some plants can go 18 months and others even longer before they need a new pot. Repotting too often can stress out the plant, leading to browning at the leaf tips, wilting, and shed leaves.
All of our growing conditions are different, but for many of us, Winter is typically a bad time to repot because: Less light will reduce plant growth (unless you're using a grow light) Cooler temperatures reduce plant growth.
Winter is a great time to repot houseplants. Plants like to be potted up into larger pots as they grow. Larger containers allow for more soil to nourish the root systems. Plants that have grown in pots for years can become root bound, which can lead to a plants' demise.
Most houseplants are tropicals and prefer temperatures between 65-75°F during the day and about 10 degrees cooler at night. For many plants, temperatures below 50°F can cause problems. Adjust thermostats to cater to your comfort, but remember your plants need some consideration.
But repotting too soon can sometimes harm a plant, especially if it's in a period of slow growth or dormancy.
Don't Repot Too Quickly!
Transplanting too soon will likely damage your plant's fragile roots; and if broken roots do not kill the plant, the stress placed on the roots may inhibit foliar growth.
Repotting Plants: How to Do It
Make sure the plant is well watered 2-4 days in advance. You don't want to repot when it's sopping wet but being too dry will cause stress. Take the plant out of the pot. If the rootball is a bit tight, gently massage the roots to loosen them up.
During the warm months is the best time to make the transition since the plants are actively growing. You can also wait until fall, but don't wait too long—the colder weather will stifle the growth of your houseplants and weaken their transplant success.
But, since in the winter many houseplants go somewhat dormant and stop growing as actively, it's best to wait until spring and summer to repot your houseplants. Make sure your new pot has drainage holes.
Indoor plants can be repotted any time from March through September, but the best time is early Spring, right at the beginning of the active growing season. Wait at least two days after your most recent watering so the soil holds together better when handling.
Pot Size Is Linked to Growth
Potting up (moving a plant to a larger pot) tends to encourage it to grow faster and become larger. It's the sort of thing you do to a younger plant, sometimes more than once a year.
Many authors insist you should repot your houseplants in the spring (late February through April) and that is indeed an excellent period for doing the job, but you don't need to limit yourself to those 3 months.
Water thoroughly after repotting to help the soil settle around your plant's roots. Plenty of moisture will also help your plant recover from the move better. If you have a saucer under the pot, make sure to empty it, so your plant doesn't get too soggy.
Plants and trees can experience transplant shock for two weeks to five years. It is more likely that the plant will die if the transplant shock persists for a long time.
Water your plant thoroughly a day or two before you plan to re-pot. This will make it easier to get your plant out of its pot, and ensure that it is hydrated, which reduces the risk of shock.
It can be quite normal for plants to temporarily stop growing after repotting, especially if you went up a lot bigger in pot size.
Transplant shock is a term that refers to a number of stresses occurring in recently transplanted trees and shrubs. It involves failure of the plant to root well, consequently the plant becomes poorly established in the landscape.
Give Them Room to Grow
As your plant continues to grow, it may eventually get too big for its container. You can tell if a plant is ready for repotting by looking at the roots. If the roots begin to poke through drainage holes or push up through the soil, it's likely time for a new pot.
Most plants prefer a temperature of no less than 60° F, though many can tolerate as low as 40° F. Along with this, while the improper temperature can certainly be an issue, fluctuations in temperature are the true killer.
I did some research and found out that houseplants need to be taken indoors before overnight temperatures dip below 45 degrees. Most tropical plants suffer harm from temperatures below 40 degrees.
According to the Department of Plant and Soil Science at the University of Vermont, most tropical plants will suffer damage if temperatures drop below 40.