A beginner’s guide to REPOTTING

UNLEASH YOUR GREEN THUMB WITH THIS GUIDE TO GIVING YOUR PLANT A NEW HOME

We all want to see our plants thriving. Most times, all that’s needed for them to reach their full potential is a little love and a simple change in environment. Dominic Hooghuis and Duncan Hilder, co-founders of The Plant Runner, share their expertise on how to repot like a pro.

1. LOOSEN THE PLANT IN ITS EXISTING POT

With plastic pots you can often squeeze the sides, but ceramic pots can be tricky. Take an old knife and run it around the edges to free the plant up.

2. REMOVE

Put your hand over the top of the soil with the plant’s trunk or foliage going up through your fingers. Flip the pot upside down and pull it away from the plant in your hand. Obviously for larger plants, flipping won’t be an option and you’ll have to pull the plant up and out yourself.

3. PREP YOUR POT

Once out, give the rootball a tease to loosen the outermost roots. Place a piece of landscaper’s fabric (or a Chux wipe) over the holes in the bottom of the new pot. This helps prevent any potting mix clogging the drainage holes.

4. FILL AND HYDRATE

Remember: you don’t want to have the soil level of the plant being flush with the top of the pot! Leave a centimetre to prevent water and potting mix spilling out.

Once the plant is sitting at the correct height, pour or place potting mix around the plant, firming it in as you go until you’ve just covered the top of the plant. After it’s planted firmly in the pot, give it a good drink with some water.

• For more plant care advice, head to theplantrunner.com