There are many considerations to make when selecting the perfect pot to host your favourite plant! Plant pots must combine style and function to keep your leafy green friends happy and healthy. Most plants (fiddle leaf figs, for example) must have drainage. Without adequate drainage, there’s a good chance your plant will not survive in the long term.
If you have a beautiful new pot that does not have drainage, just leave your plant in the grower’s pot inside the fancy planter and give your plant a couple of weeks to adjust to its new home. Plants like to be slightly confined and it might not need to be repotted quite yet.
I like to add a clear plastic drip tray under my new planter so when I water I can easily take out the excess water. If your plant is draining properly there’s less risk of root rot and the roots will get sufficient oxygen.
Most plants will thrive once you re-plant them but if you don’t transplant your plants correctly it can cause your plant a lot of stress. This may cause your plant to drop some leaves or turn light yellow.
How to know when it’s time to re-pot:
After a couple of weeks, when your new plant has had time to adjust to its new environment, it may be showing signs that it is ready to be repotted.
- Roots showing at the top or the bottom or even bursting through the pot.
- The water runs right through the pot not seeming to saturate the soil at all.
- The plant dries out very quickly.
- The soil appears dry and hard.
Most plants like to be repotted in the spring as they wake up from winter. If you haven’t repotted your plants yet, summer is still a good time to re-pot. Your plant will be eager for some fresh soil and fertilizer to help them in their fast-growing season. Repotting doesn’t always mean a bigger planter – it may simply be a matter of switching out for fresh soil invigorated with nutrients. Potting your plant in an oversized planter may result in roots that remain wet for too long, making it harder for them to get oxygen.
When you’re repotting, select an inexpensive pot with good drainage – a size that is one or two inches bigger than the current pot will do the trick. Gently loosen the roots with your hands so it does not become root-bound. Fill your pot with fresh soil. Never push down on the soil because you can damage the roots, so be gentle!
Now that your plant is happy in its new pot don’t forget to give it a name! This is Frank. I brought him home from Anna’s in October and he has more than tripled in size. Isn’t he magnificent❤️ I used to really struggle with fiddle leaf figs, but now that I allow my figs proper drainage and maintain a watering routine they thrive. Frank is watered on Sundays. He likes almost a of a gallon of water every week, and once I have watered him I let him sit for about 15 minutes so any roots that didn’t get water have a chance to absorb it. Then I remove the excess water.
A great way to disguise plastic planters is with baskets – simply place a drip tray in the bottom. I love the beautiful texture of this woven basket with the thick green leaves of a fiddle leaf fig.
Another popular choice are clay or terra-cotta pots. Clay pots allow air to pass through the sides which gives your plant more oxygen and promotes healthy roots.
My favourite planter style is an on-trend planter with legs. I enjoy the versatility – when your plants are small the legs make it look so much taller and as your plant grows you can take the legs off the planter.
Drop by Anna’s this week and check out our beautiful new selection of planters! You’ll be sure to find the perfect match that will showcase your leafy green friends while adding style to your home!
Check out a selection of our pots available for online purchase.
