Changing a potted plant seems like a simple task, but there is a mistake that can compromise the health of the roots and leave the plant weaker in a few days. The problem mainly happens when you choose a very large container, with excess soil and little drainage.
The desire to give the plant more space can lead many people to choose a much larger pot than the previous one. However, according to the British institution specializing in gardening, this practice can cause what experts call “overpotting”, that is, placing the plant in a pot that is too large for the size of the roots.
Too big a vase can be a trap
When there is a lot of soil around few roots, the substrate takes longer to dry. The plant cannot absorb all the available moisture and is surrounded by a very wet area. The RHS warns that this excess wet compost can encourage root rot, especially when the plant sits in soggy substrate. Therefore, the new pot should only be slightly larger than the root ball.
The practical rule indicated by the institution is simple: when changing to a larger pot, it should not be more than a third larger than the current container. In pots smaller than 25 centimeters, the ideal is to increase only about 2.5 to 5 centimeters in width and depth.
Drainage can also ‘decide’ the future of the plant
Another common mistake is using pots without holes or leaving water accumulated in the dish after watering. RHS reminds you that containers should always have a drainage hole because the roots need air to breathe.
When water remains at the bottom of the pot or dish for a long time, the air spaces in the substrate can be replaced by water. In this situation, the roots end up suffocating, which can weaken the plant and cause rot.
Cactus, succulents and resistant plants require even more care
This problem is especially important in plants that don’t ‘like’ excess water, such as cacti and succulents. The RHS recommends that these species be grown in very draining substrates and warns that pots that are too large can keep the soil excessively moist, causing rot.
Therefore, when changing a potted plant, the safest thing is to choose a container just a little larger, confirm that it has holes in the bottom, use suitable substrate and avoid routine watering in the following days. The institution itself recommends checking whether the compost really needs water before watering again.
Also read:
